"Egg My Yard!" April 4 and 9

Let Us Egg Your Yard! Bring the Easter magic straight to your home! Imagine waking up to a yard full of hidden treasures—ready for a fun and festive egg hunt! 20 eggs for $15. Pick a date and we will give you the time slot that we'll be at your home to hide the eggs. Spaces are limited to 20, so don’t miss out! Click here to book your egg-citing experience: https://link.clover.com/urlshortener/h5c4Rj. For more details or to sign up, contact: Shaina at (978) 297-3155 or scunningham@winchendon-ma.gov Sponsored by Winchendon Parks & Recreation.

Candidates for Town Election, May 5, 2025

The following citizens pulled nomination papers and returned them by the deadline for the town election.

Board of Selectmen (2 seats)
Christine Haslam-Giovannucci
Audrey LaBrie
Tiffany Newton
Yvonne Senecal

School Committee, 3-year term (1 seat)
None

School Committee, 1-year unexpired term (1 seat)
Tara Teixeira

Board of Health (1 seat)
Glenn LaRochelle

Town Moderator (1 seat)
Glenn LaRochelle

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"

Letter to the Editor

Dear editor at Winchendon Courier,
Social Security isn't a handout--it's a promise that millions of us Older Americans have paid into for decades.
We have invested in our federal government and our future with every social security deduction.
This administration is dismantling an essential program, closing offices, cutting hotlines, and spreading misinformation to justify these attacks against our social security savings.
HANDS OFF OUR SOCIAL SECURITY
Sincerely,
Kristen Petricola
Keene, NH

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).

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

FY2026 Budget Process

The Winchendon Public Schools Proposed Fiscal Year 2026 Annual Budget has been posted on the school and town websites for the public to review. You can read it at https://www.townofwinchendon.com/sites/g/files/vyhlif8401/f/pages/fy26_proposed_school_budget.pdf

The Town Manager's presentations and budget workbook for the FY26 town budget are now available on the town website. Direct links are:

2026 General Fund Budget Workbook (with line items)
https://www.townofwinchendon.com/sites/g/files/vyhlif8401/f/news/fy26_budget_workbook_final_for_march_24.pdf

2026 Level-Funded (No Override) Budget Presentation
https://www.townofwinchendon.com/sites/g/files/vyhlif8401/f/news/fiscal_yr_2026_no_override.pdf

2026 Level Service (With Override) Budget Presentation
https://www.townofwinchendon.com/sites/g/files/vyhlif8401/f/news/2026_budget_presentation_brad_final_with_override_20250324.pdf

Fire Department Offering Free COVID-19 Test Kits to Residents

To all Winchendon residents, the Winchendon Fire Department has been able to secure multiple boxes of COVID-19 home test kits at no cost through a program with MA State DPH. Feel free to stop by the station and pick up what you need for you and your family. Here at WFD we will continue to search for ways to bring any additional care possible to our residents. The Fire Department is located at 405 Central St, Winchendon, and the business phone number is 978-297-2324.

Opening on the Finance Committee as of July 1

The Finance Committee will have a vacancy effective July 1, 2025. 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 with your experience to ddennis@winchendon-ma.gov or mail to Town of Winchendon Attn: Debra Dennis 109 Front Street Winchendon MA 01475

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.

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!

Employment

New Listings!

THURSDAY MARCH 27
12:51 a.m.: suspicious vehicle (Central Street), checked/secure;
12:57 a.m.: MV stop (Spring Street), traffic citation issued;
1:15 a.m.: suspicious vehicle (Gardner Road), spoken to;
1:31 a.m.: extra patrols (The Winchendon School, Ash Street), checked/secure;
1:33 a.m.: extra patrols (Wendell P Clark Memorial YMCA, Central Street), checked/secure;
1:39 a.m.: investigation (Pine Street), info taken;
2:13 a.m.: extra patrols (One Stop Plaza, Main Street), checked/secure;
3:27 a.m.: 911, ambulance needed (Pine Street), removed to hospital;
9:35 a.m.: harassment (Ready Drive), report taken;
10:07 a.m.: assist other police department (Baldwinville State Road), unable to serve;
10:22 a.m.: assist citizen (Goodrich Drive), advised civil action;
11:49 a.m.: MV stop (Alger Street @ Main Street), verbal warning;
12:07 p.m.: MV stop (Ash Street), traffic citation issued;
1:06 p.m.: MV stop (Myrtle Street @ Spring Street), verbal warning;
1:11 p.m.: MV stop (Gardner Road), verbal warning;
2:18 p.m.: investigation (Grove Street), report taken;
2:32 p.m.: welfare check/general (Hyde Park Drive), services rendered;
2:35 p.m.: welfare check/general (Hyde Park Drive), no fire service necessary;
2:41 p.m.: officer requested (Hyde Park Drive), report taken;
3:01 p.m.: Keep The Peace (Cross Street), assisted;
3:40 p.m.: disabled vehicle (Glenallen Street), assisted;
4:47 p.m.: officer requested (Central Street), spoken to;
4:58 p.m.: welfare check/child (address not published), spoken to;
6:38 p.m.: accident (Central Street), report taken;
7:26 p.m.: 911, 911 call non-emergency (Mill Street), spoken to;
9:32 p.m.: 911, ambulance needed (Ash Street), removed to hospital;

FRIDAY MARCH 28
12:20-3:31 a.m.: building checks, all secure;
12:32 a.m.: MV stop (Gardner Road), written warning;
12:35 a.m.: 911, ambulance needed (Krantz Road), removed from hospital;
12:53 a.m.: extra patrols (Winchendon Community Park, Ingleside Drive), checked/secure;
1:00 a.m.: investigation (Pine Street), info taken;
1:04 a.m.: suspicious vehicle (Main Street), spoken to;
1:33 a.m.: extra patrols (Citgo Lube and Repair, Water Street), checked/secure;
1:37 a.m.: extra patrols (Railroad Street), checked/secure;
3:36 a.m.: suspicious person (East Grove Street), protective custody;
3:37 a.m.: 911, ambulance needed (East Grove Street), call cancelled;
7:28 a.m.: Department of Public Works call/general (Spring Street), referred to DPW;
10:33 a.m.: registration check (Old Gardner Road), info taken;
3:53 p.m.: missing person (Front Street), returned to home or family;
6:03 p.m.: animal complaint (Juniper Street), returned to home or family;
6:38 p.m.: officer requested (Benjamin Street), returned to home or family;
7:58 p.m.: animal complaint (Spring Street), returned to home or family;
8:37 p.m.: 911, MV operating erratically (Gardner Road), verbal warning;
8:47 p.m.: info/general (Front Street), spoken to;
9:13 p.m.: investigation (Lakeshore Drive), services rendered;
9:21 p.m.: MV stop (Central Street), verbal warning;

SATURDAY MARCH 29
12:13 a.m.: extra patrols (Summer Drive), checked/secure;
12:15 a.m.: suspicious vehicle (Central Street), checked/secure;
12:21 a.m.: suspicious vehicle (Memorial Drive), checked/secure;
12:22 a.m.: MV stop (Spring Street), verbal warning;
12:27-1:45 a.m.: building checks, all secure;
12:35 a.m.: MV stop (Spring Street), spoken to;
12:43 a.m.: extra patrols (Goodrich Street), checked/secure;
12:47 a.m.: suspicious vehicle (Gardner Road), spoken to;
12:56 a.m.: suspicious vehicle (Baldwinville Road), checked/secure;
12:59 a.m.: extra patrols (Ingleside Drive), checked/secure;
2:23 a.m.: assist other police department (other town, The Thirsty Turtle), assisted;
8:18 a.m.: Keep The Peace (Woodlawn Street), assisted;
10:17 a.m.: officer requested (School Street), spoken to;
10:36 a.m.: officer requested (Walnut Street), spoken to;
1:36 p.m.: assist other police department (Monadnock Avenue), info given;
2:05 p.m.: warrant arrest (Spring Street), warrant arrest;
2:44 p.m.: 911, welfare check/general (Hospital Road), returned to home or family;
2:50 p.m.: burglary / breaking & entering (Willow Street), spoken to;
3:00 p.m.: animal complaint (Webster Street), referred to ACO;
3:38 p.m.: suspicious vehicle (Spruce Street @ Summer Street), call cancelled;
6:06 p.m.: 911, smoke (Eagle Road), services rendered;
8:23 p.m.: officer requested (Central Street), spoken to;
8:34 p.m.: MV stop (Central Street), verbal warning;
9:36 p.m.: Department of Public Works call/general (Winchendon), referred to DPW;
9:55 p.m.: MV stop (Baldwinville State Road), verbal warning;

Arrests:
Claudette LaFrennie, age 36, 118 Spring St Apt #1, Winchendon, MA, charged with: arrest based on a warrant (2).

Protective Custody:
Shawn M Fleming, age 41, 327 Ash St, Winchendon, MA, protective custody.

SUNDAY MARCH 30
12:04 a.m.: 911, noise complaint (Spring Street), spoken to;
12:19 a.m.: extra patrols (Railroad Street), checked/secure;
1:38 a.m.: investigation (Pine Street), info taken;
1:51 a.m.: extra patrols (Main Street), checked/secure;
1:57- a.m.: building checks, all secure;
2:08 a.m.: suspicious vehicle (Memorial Drive), services rendered;
3:24 a.m.: suspicious vehicle (Railroad Street), info taken;
3:29 a.m.: fire/mutual aid (other town, High Street), services rendered;
7:55 a.m.: 911, ambulance needed (Ipswich Drive), no fire service necessary;
8:26 a.m.: ambulance needed (Glenallen Street @ Spring Street), removed to hospital;
9:18 a.m.: assist other police department (Baldwinville State Road), services rendered;
9:21 a.m.: MV operating erratically (Baldwinville State Road), referred to other PD;
9:45 a.m.: sex offender registration (Walnut Street), assisted;
10:21 a.m.: 911, welfare check/general (Ipswich Drive), report taken;
11:52 a.m.: property found (Spring Street), info taken;
12:48 p.m.: mutual aid to scene (other town, West Broadway), assisted;
1:02 p.m.: 911, ambulance needed (Highland Street), removed to hospital;
1:09 a.m.: info/general (Central Street), services rendered;
2:23 p.m.: 911, 911 call non-emergency (Maynard Street), 911 non-emergency call;

7:49 p.m.: mental health issue (address not published), removed to hospital;
8:41 p.m.: extra patrols (Winchendon Community Park, Ingleside Drive), checked/secure;
8:45 p.m.: extra patrols (Fidelity Cooperative Bank, School Square), checked/secure;
8:54 p.m.: registration check (Baldwinvlle State Road), info given;
8:58 p.m.: MV stop (Central Street), verbal warning;
9:16 p.m.: building check (Central Street), checked/secure;
11:59 a.m: extra patrols (Murdock Middle/High School, Memorial Drive), checked/secure;

MONDAY MARCH 31
12:54-2:34 a.m.: building checks, all secure;
1:08 a.m.: MV stop (Spring Street), verbal warning;
6:13 a.m.: 911, ambulance needed (Water Street), removed to hospital;
9:03 a.m.: investigation (Central Street), report taken;
9:04 a.m.: investigation (Central Street), report taken;
9:17 a.m.: Keep The Peace (Maple Street), advised civil action;
9:49 a.m.: loitering (Sibley Road), no police service necessary;
9:55 a.m.: assist citizen (Spruce Street), report taken;
10:18 a.m.: 911, ambulance needed (Baldwinville State Road), removed to hospital;
11:55 a.m.: registration check (Central Street), services rendered;
1:19 p.m.: 911, ambulance needed (Madison Avenue), removed to hospital;
2:03 p.m.: summons service (Duval Court), unable to serve;
2:04 p.m.: sex offender registration (Ash Street), info taken;
2:07 p.m.: summons service (Pine Street), unable to serve;
3:19 p.m.: suspicious vehicle (Main Street), spoken to;
4:01 p.m.: animal complaint (Sibley Road), referred to ACO;
5:13 p.m.: 911, 911 hang-up (Goodrich Drive), accidental/defective alarm;
5:14 p.m.: MV stop (Gardner Road), verbal warning;
6:24 p.m.: Fire Department call/general (Hall Road), services rendered;
7:25 p.m.: animal complaint (Spruce Street), brought to station;
7:49 p.m.: extra patrols (Winchendon Community Park, Ingleside Drive), checked/secure;
7:58 p.m.: unwanted party (Joslin Road), unable to locate;
8:13 p.m.: 911, 911 hang-up (River Street), spoken to;
8:26 p.m.: MV stop (Teel Road @ Hall Road), verbal warning;
8:40 p.m.: MV stop (School Street), verbal warning;
8:50 p.m.: 911, ambulance needed (Central Street), removed to hospital;
9:25 p.m.: MV stop (Central Street), spoken to;
9:25 p.m.: assist other agency (Windsor Road), unable to locate;
10:32 p.m.: suspicious vehicle (Hall Road), spoken to;
10:52 p.m.: extra patrols (Cumberland Farms, Central Street), checked/secure;
11:01 p.m.: officer requested (Linden Street), spoken to;

TUESDAY APRIL 1
12:35 a.m.: 911, ambulance needed (West Street), removed to hospital;
12:45-2:25 a.m.: building checks, all secure;
12:59 a.m.: registration check (Spring Street), info taken;
1:31 a.m.: open door/window/gate (Spring Street), checked/secure;
7:00 a.m.: animal complaint (Spruce Street), referred to ACO;
9:21 a.m.: summons service (Duval Court), summons served;
9:24 a.m.: MV stop (Central Street), no police service necessary;
9:28 a.m.: summons service (Pine Street), summons served;
9:32 a.m.: info/general (Pine Street), services rendered;
9:43 a.m.: summons service (Happy Hollow Road), unable to serve;
10:04 a.m.: summons service (Hilltop Trail), unable to serve;
10:19 a.m.: traffic hazard (Central Street @ Front Street), no police service necessary;
11:34 a.m.: MV stop (Gardner Road), written warning;
12:00 p.m.: harassment (Hale Street), spoken to;
12:08 p.m.: property found (East Street), property returned to owner;
12:16 p.m.: welfare check/general (South Royalston Road), no police service necessary;
12:23 p.m.: harassment (Oak Street), spoken to;
12:25 p.m.: Keep The Peace (Cummings Road), services rendered;
1:56 p.m.: summons service (Central Street), summons served;
3:18 p.m.: assist other police department (other town, Elm Street), assisted;
3:59 p.m.: fire alarm (Ash Street), services rendered;
4:50 p.m.: info/general (Central Street), info taken;
4:54 p.m.: extra patrols (Winchendon Community Park, Ingleside Drive), checked/secure;
7:20 p.m.: ATV complaint (Front Street), spoken to;
7:32 p.m.: illegal dumping (Maple Street), spoken to;
7:43 p.m.: 911, ambulance needed (Central Street), removed to hospital;
8:59 p.m.: animal complaint (School Street), brought to station;

WEDNESDAY APRIL 2
12:18-3:00 a.m.: building checks, all secure;
12:32 a.m.: extra patrols (Winchendon Community Park, Ingleside Drive), checked/secure;
12:41 a.m.: extra patrols (Lake Dennison Beach Area, Main Street), checked/secure;
12:51 a.m.: extra patrols (Citgo Lube and Repair, Water Street), checked/secure;
1:09 a.m.: extra patrols (The Winchendon School, Ash Street), checked/secure;
2:26 a.m.: investigation (Pine Street), info taken;
2:52 a.m.: extra patrols (Toy Towne Condominiums, Spring Circle), checked/secure;
5:57 a.m.: burglar alarm (Spring Street), checked/secure;
7:00 a.m.: animal complaint (School Street), referred to ACO;
9:54 a.m.: harassment order violation (Hyde Park Street), arrest;
9:55 a.m.: investigation (Elm Street), services rendered;
12:58 p.m.: info/general (Central Street), info taken;
2:16 p.m.: investigation (Memorial Drive), report taken;
2:36 p.m.: property found (Ipswich Drive), info taken;
3:40 p.m.: MV stop (Tannery Hill), verbal warning;
3:52 p.m.: MV stop (Central Street), verbal warning;
3:55 p.m.: assist citizen (West Boylston, Franklin Street), info given;
4:00 p.m.: 911, 911 hang-up (School Street), no police service necessary;
4:12 p.m.: assist other agency (Leominster, Research Drive), spoken to;
4:30 p.m.: assist citizen (Converse Drive), spoken to;
5:02 p.m.: property found (Central Street), property returned to owner;
6:04 p.m.: suspicious vehicle (Stoddard Road), advised officer;
6:07 p.m.: officer requested (Central Street), report taken;
6:25 p.m.: 911, ambulance needed (other town, North Fitzwilliam Road), removed to hospital;
6:31 p.m.: investigation (Pine Street), spoken to;
7:01 p.m.: disturbance/fight (Grove Street), info taken;
8:37 p.m.: officer requested (River Street), report taken;
8:49 p.m.: trespass notice entry (Eli Drive), services rendered;
11:08 p.m.: unwanted party (Gardner Road), warrant arrest;

Arrests:
Ashley A Wright-Batchelder, age 34, 22 Pleasent St Apt #C, Fitchburg, MA, charged with: arrest based on a warrant.
Miranda L Graham, age 31, 70 West St, Winchendon, MA, charged with: violation of harassment protection order.