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

As National Library Week gets underway, it is important for all of us to realize how important libraries are to modern life. They provide us not just with books but also many supplemental services like job hunting help, homework support, free Wi-Fi, programs for adults and children -- all things that conduce to a well informed and responsible citizenry. Libraries are now under threat, as are so many of our institutions in this present fascist-leaning regime.

Please everyone, pay attention and do not let our elected representatives destroy one of our most precious institutions!

Sincerely,
Catherine Behrens
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

Winchendon/Templeton Spring Pet Vaccine Clinic April 19

The Winchendon/Templeton Regional Animal Control will host a spring pet vaccine clinic with Second Chance Animal Services on Saturday, April 19 from 1:00-3:00 p.m. at 381 Baldwinville Rd, Templeton, MA. Residents of all towns are welcome.

Cost is $18 for a rabies vaccine, $18 for a distemper vaccine and $22 for a microchip. Dogs MUST be leashed and cats MUST be in secure carriers for everyone's safety.

Pre-register at www.secondchanceanimals.org/vaccine-clinics/ (scroll down to "Local Community Vaccine Clinics"). Upload prior vaccine records to qualify for a 3-year rabies vaccine or booster.

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 APRIL 3
2:52 a.m.: disturbance (Gardner Road), gone on arrival;
3:06-3:27 a.m.: building checks, all secure;
3:17 a.m.: extra patrols (Citgo Lube and Repair, Water Street), checked/secure;
3:20 a.m.: suspicious vehicle (Central Street), spoken to;
3:23 a.m.: investigation (Pine Street), info taken;
3:23 a.m.: extra patrols (Winchendon Dry Cleaners, East Grove Street), checked/secure;
7:20 a.m.: 911, ambulance needed (Teel Road), removed to hospital;
9:44 a.m.: animal complaint (Brown Street), spoken to;
10:29 a.m.: assist citizen (Baldwinville State Road), spoken to;
11:57 a.m.: welfare check/elderly (address not published), spoken to;
12:37 p.m.: assist citizen (other town, Sherbert Road), referred to DPW;
12:58 p.m.: MV stop (Spring Street), verbal warning;
1:33 p.m.: 911, welfare check/elderly (address not published), spoken to;
3:05 p.m.: assist other police department (Eagle Road), spoken to;
4:01 p.m.: MV operating erratically (Gardner Road), unable to locate;
4:23 p.m.: welfare check/child (address not published), spoken to;
5:17 p.m.: tree down (Forristall Road), no cause for complaint;
7:33 p.m.: 911, accident (Otter River Road), investigated/report taken;
8:19 p.m.: 911, 911 hang-up (Central Street), child playing with phone;
9:14 p.m.: assist other police department (Glenallen Street), advised officer;
11:43 p.m.: assist other agency (Otter River Road), info taken;

FRIDAY APRIL 4
12:31 a.m.: investigation (Pine Street), info taken;
1:10-2:06 a.m.: building checks, all secure;
1:15 a.m.: suspicious vehicle (Old Gardner Road), spoken to;
1:47 a.m.: extra patrols (Lake Dennison Beach Area, Main Street), checked/secure;
1:56 a.m.: extra patrols (Citgo Lube and Repair, Water Street), checked/secure;
2:07 a.m.: extra patrols (Railroad Street), checked/secure;
2:36 a.m.: extra patrols (Winchendon Community Park, Ingleside Drive), checked/secure;
2:53 a.m.: investigation (Spring Street), spoken to;
3:54 a.m.: 911, fire alarm (Joslin Road), services rendered;
4:30 a.m.: Department of Public Works call/general (Otter River Road), referred to other agency;
4:34 a.m.: Fire Department call/general (Otter River Road @ Russell Farm Road), no fire service necessary;
5:08 a.m.: registration check (Otter River Road), info taken;
5:19 a.m.: 911, ambulance needed (Central Street), removed to hospital;
6:18 a.m.: missing person (Goodrich Drive), spoken to;
7:55 a.m.: welfare check/general (Walnut Street), call cancelled;
8:04 a.m.: animal complaint (Spring Street), referred to ACO;
8:08 a.m.: 911, ambulance needed (Sibley Road), removed to hospital;
8:21 a.m.: MV stop (Spring Street @ Water Street), verbal warning;
9:00 a.m.: officer requested (Goodrich Drive), spoken to;
9:36 a.m.: officer requested (School Street), spoken to;
9:46 a.m.: trespassing (Franklin Street), spoken to;
11:37 a.m.: officer requested (West Street), spoken to;
12:58 p.m.: animal complaint (Memorial Drive), referred to ACO;
1:19 p.m.: suspicious vehicle (Grove Street), spoken to;
3:45 p.m.: 911, ambulance needed (School Street), removed to hospital;
4:08 p.m.: 911, 911 call non-emergency (Front Street), unable to locate;
5:39 p.m.: 911, brush fire (Hall Road), services rendered;
6:38 p.m.: lock-out vehicle (School Street), services rendered;
7:19 p.m.: MV operating erratically (Central Street), unable to locate;
8:28 p.m.: 911, ambulance needed (Maple Street), removed to hospital;
8:50 p.m.: illegal dumping (Elmwood Road @ Forristall Road), services rendered;
9:03 p.m.: MV stop (Elmwood Road @ Forristall Road), verbal warning;
9:11 p.m.: MV stop (Elmwood Road @ Forristall Road), verbal warning;
10:17 p.m.: assist citizen (Bayberry Circle), assisted;
11:44 p.m.: extra patrols (Winchendon Community Park, Ingleside Drive), checked/secure;

SATURDAY APRIL 5
12:02 a.m.: 911, MV operating erratically (Spring Street), services rendered;
12:26 a.m.: suspicious vehicle (Memorial Drive), spoken to;
12:39-12:50 a.m.: building checks, all secure;
1:00 a.m.: investigation (Pine Street), info taken;
2:35 a.m.: transport (Pleasant Street), services rendered;
2:56 a.m.: extra patrols (The Winchendon School, Ash Street), checked/secure;
6:19 a.m.: suspicious vehicle (Spring Street), report taken;
8:00 a.m.: Fire Department call/general (New Boston Road), services rendered;
9:30 a.m.: harassment (High Street), report taken;
9:50 a.m.: assist citizen (Bayberry Circle), report taken;
10:01 a.m.: 911, ambulance needed (Maple Street), removed to hospital;
11:37 a.m.: property damage (Gardner Road), report taken;
12:08 p.m.: welfare check/general (Belmont Avenue), report taken;
12:34 p.m.: runaway (Memorial Drive), services rendered;
12:49 p.m.: disabled vehicle (Front Street @ School Street), info taken;
1:28 p.m.: larceny (Central Street), report taken;
1:53 p.m.: investigation (Gardner Road), info taken;
7:27 p.m.: assist other police department (Spring Street), unable to locate;
7:39 p.m.: extra patrols (Pine Street), checked/secure;
8:44 p.m.: MV stop (Baldwinville State Road), verbal warning;
9:03 p.m.: extra patrols (Winchendon Community Park, Ingleside Drive), checked/secure;
9:18 p.m.: suspicious vehicle (Glenallen Street @ Spring Street), spoken to;
9:38 p.m.: MV stop (School Street), verbal warning;
10:02 p.m.: 911, MV accident with injuries (Hale Street), removed to hospital;
10:59 p.m.: welfare check/general (Brown Street), removed to hospital;

Summons:
Steven Bruce Hebden, age 63, 23 Brown St Apt #1, Winchendon, MA, charged with: negligent operation of motor vehicle.

SUNDAY APRIL 6
1:49-4:30 a.m.: building checks, all secure;
1:56 a.m.: extra patrols (Pine Street), checked/secure;
2:05 a.m.: 911, ambulance needed (Mechanic Street), no fire service necessary;
2:20 a.m.: 911, ambulance needed (Pond Street), removed to hospital;
2:44 a.m.: suspicious vehicle (Central Street), checked/secure;
4:27 a.m.: extra patrols (Clark Memorial), checked/secure;
4:39 a.m.: extra patrols (Central Street), checked/secure;
7:00 a.m.: info/general (Central Street), info taken;
8:06 a.m.: 911, ambulance (Central Street), removed to hospital;
10:09 a.m.: smoke (Spring Street), services rendered;
2:56 p.m.: officer requested (Maple Street), unable to locate;
3:21 p.m.: MV stop (Spring Street), verbal warning;
3:35 p.m.: stolen vehicle (Academy Street), report taken;
5:47 p.m.: disabled vehicle (Benjamin Street), spoken to;
6:00 p.m.: 911, officer requested (Webster Street), no cause for complaint;
6:37 p.m.: MV stop (Spring Street), verbal warning;
6:48 p.m.: MV stop (Gardner Road), traffic citation issued;
6:59 p.m.: MV stop (Gardner Road), verbal warning;
7:16 p.m.: MV stop (Central Street), verbal warning;
7:36 p.m.: 911, ambulance needed (Glenallen Street), removed to hospital;
9:20 p.m.: disabled vehicle (Main Street), assisted;
9:45 p.m.: extra patrols (Winchendon Community Park, Ingleside Drive), checked/secure;
10:00 p.m.: asisst other police department (Teel Road), info given;
11:12 p.m.: arrest (Bemis Road), arrest;
11:37 p.m.: registration check (Bemis Road), info taken;

Arrests:
Gregory C Oakes, age 43, 121 Squanacook Rd, Shirley, MA, charged with: misdemeanor failure to appear upon recognizance (2).

MONDAY APRIL 7
12:20-3:03 a.m.: building checks, all secure;
12:34 a.m.: larceny (Prospect Street), services rendered;
1:48 a.m.: 911, ambulance needed (Ipswich Drive), removed to hospital;
2:27 a.m.: noise complaint (Hyde Park Drive), spoken to;
5:07 a.m.: 911, 911 hang-up (School Street), spoken to;
8:52 a.m.: 911, ambulance needed (Benjamin Street), removed to hospital;
9:37 a.m.: animal complaint (Mellen Road), referred to ACO;
10:50 a.m.: sex offender registration (Central Street), assisted;
12:01 p.m.: summons service (Baldwinville Road), summons served;
1:35 p.m.: harassment (Murdock Avenue @ Grove Street), info taken;
3:10 p.m.: MV stop (Front Street), verbal warning;
3:20 p.m.: MV stop (Central Street), written warning;
3:57 p.m.: lock-out vehicle (Webster Street), services rendered;
4:27 p.m.: assist citizen (High Street), assisted;
4:29 p.m.: Keep The Peace (River Street), report taken;
6:26 p.m.: 911, officer requested (Highland Street), report taken;
6:41 p.m.: fire/mutual aid (other town, Sawmill Road), services rendered;
7:58 p.m.: officer requested (Mellen Road), unable to locate;
TUESDAY APRIL 8
1:13 a.m.: suspicious vehicle (Main Street), no police service necessary;
1:18-1:40 a.m.: building checks, all secure;
1:43 a.m.: extra patrols (Winchendon Community Park, Ingleside Drive), checked/secure;
1:47 a.m.: 911, 911 hang-up (other town, North Street), referred to other PD;
2:00 a.m.: extra patrols (Winchendon Housing Authority, Pearl Drive), checked/secure;
2:10 a.m.: extra patrols (Winchendon Plaza, Central Street), checked/secure;
4:59 a.m.: ambulance needed (Glenallen Street), accidental/defective alarm;
12:03 p.m.: MV stop (Spring Street), verbal warning;
12:11 p.m.: investigation (School Street), report taken;
1:48 p.m.: 911, ambulance needed (Central Street), removed to hospital;
1:55 p.m.: MV stop (Elmwood Road), verbal warning;
3:09 p.m.: MV operating erratically (Gardner Road), unable to locate;
5:14 p.m.: 911, suspicious person (Memorial Drive), unable to locate;
5:31 p.m.: MV stop (Central Street), written warning;
5:59 p.m.: 911, abandoned 911 call (Eagle Road), services rendered;
6:14 p.m.: Section 12 (address not published), removed to hospital;
7:49 p.m.: MV stop (Gardner Road), written warning;
8:22 p.m.: MV stop (Baldwinville State Road), written warning;
8:24 p.m.: MV stop (Central Street), verbal warning;
8:31 p.m.: extra patrols (Pine Street), info taken;
8:34 p.m.: extra patrols (Ingleside Drive), secured building;
8:38 p.m.: MV stop (Central Street), verbal warning;
8:42 p.m.: 911, structure fire (Mechanic Street), fire extinguished;
9:55 p.m.: burglar alarm (Eli Drive), secured building;

WEDNESDAY APRIL 9
12:17-1:40 a.m.: building checks, all secure;
12:33 a.m.: extra patrols (Railroad Street), checked/secure;
12:46 a.m.: extra patrols (Ipswich Drive), checked/secure;
12:54 a.m.: extra patrols (Form-Up Foundations, Roberts Way), checked/secure;
12:59 a.m.: traffic hazard (Gardner Road), removed traffic hazard;
1:07 a.m.: extra patrols (Lincoln Avenue Extension), checked/secure;
2:11 a.m.: extra patrols (Winchendon Plaza, Central Street), checked/secure;
8:56 a.m.: parking violation (Central Street), spoken to;
10:33 a.m.: MV stop (School Street), verbal warning;
10:55 a.m.: officer requested (Cummings Road), report taken;
11:15 a.m.: officer requested (Alger Street), report taken;
1:21 p.m.: MV stop (Gardner Road), verbal warning;
2:07 p.m.: assist other agency (Belmont Avenue), assisted;
2:22 p.m.: officer requested (Woodlawn Street), spoken to;
2:55 p.m.: 911, welfare check/general (Carriage Lane), spoken to;
4:31 p.m.: structure fire (Spring Street), unfounded;
7:56 p.m.: 911, suspicious vehicle (Krantz Road), unable to locate;
8:56 p.m.: 911, burglary / breaking & entering (Front Street), checked/secure;
9:58 p.m.: lock-out vehicle (Lakeview Drive), call cancelled;