EcoYouth Workshops Offered FREE for Young Adults Ages 18-24

Looking to build your environmental skills or explore green careers? Join us for EcoYouth, a FREE workshop series for young adults (ages 18-24), with priority given to youth who are at-risk or have experienced homelessness.

May 31 - Voices of Change: Advocating for Climate Justice (Worcester) 9:00 a.m.- noon. Hosted by Mass Audubon.
June 14 - Land Connections: Nature-based Mindfulness (Petersham) 6:00-9:00 p.m. and optional overnight camping. Hosted by Brother Northstar.
June 21 - Green Futures: Exploring Careers in Sustainability (Fitchburg) 9:00 a.m.- noon. Hosted by WCYAB.

Meals provided. Transportation available upon request.

Sign up or learn more at: https://tinyurl.com/y42ffr66

Questions? Email: yab@luk.org

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,

Summer is almost here, and with it will come deadly heat waves supercharged by the climate crisis. Yet in 27 states, it's perfectly legal for utility companies to shut off electricity on the hottest days of summer, leaving individuals and families without air conditioning in extreme temperatures and threatening their health and safety.

Shutting off power and preventing access to lifesaving air conditioning in the summer can have life-or-death consequences. We need to shine a spotlight on this critical issue and raise our voices to demand change.

Utility companies and local leaders everywhere must act to end utility shutoffs on the hottest days of summer. Save lives--stop the summer shutoffs.

Sincerely, Dr. Tammy King
Gardner, MA

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

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

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 Vacancies
as of April 14, 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.

Bylaw/Charter Review Committee - 2 vacancies
Cultural Council - 13 vacancies
Fence Viewer and Field Driver - 1 vacancy
Finance Committee - 1 vacancy
Historical District Commission - 2 alternate vacancies
Parks & Recreation - 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).

Employment

New Listings!

The Farm Stand is hiring 18+ staff for weekend shifts. Email Jody Mendoza at info@farmingislife.org if interested. The Farm Stand is a new retail business located at 244 School Street, Winchendon, MA, selling fresh local produce, groceries and baked goods, and select wine.

THURSDAY MAY 22
12:53- a.m.: building checks, all secure;
1:13 a.m.: extra patrols (Winchendon Community Park, Ingleside Drive), checked/secure;
1:19 a.m.: extra patrols (Winchendon Housing Authority, Pearl Drive), checked/secure;
2:01 a.m.: extra patrols (Citgo Lube and Repair, Water Street), checked/secure;
2:11 a.m.: extra patrols (Railroad Street), checked/secure;
2:21 a.m.: suspicious person (Central Street), no police service necessary;
3:30 a.m.: extra patrols (The Winchendon School, Ash Street), checked/secure;
6:11 a.m.: 911, ambulance needed (Alger Street), removed to hospital;
7:00 a.m.: animal complaint (Harrisville Circle), spoken to;
7:00 a.m.: animal complaint (Baldwinville State Road), referred to ACO;
8:58 a.m.: officer requested (Memorial Drive), report taken;
9:31 a.m.: 911, ambulance needed (Winter Place), removed to hospital;
10:07 a.m.: MV stop (Central Street @ Maple Street), verbal warning;
10:14 a.m.: officer requested (Hyde Park Street), spoken to;
11:12 a.m.: chimney fire (Hyde Street), no fire service necessary;
11:59 a.m.: arrest (West Street), arrest;
12:24 p.m.: harassment order violation (West Street), arrest;
12:49 p.m.: accident (Alger Street), removed to hospital;
4:43 p.m.: threats (Brown Street), report taken;
5:20 p.m.: accident (Spring Street), report taken;
7:56 p.m.: MV stop (Linden Street @ Maple Street), traffic citation issued;
8:04 p.m.: extra patrols (Winchendon Community Park, Ingleside Drive), checked/secure;
8:11 p.m.: MV stop (Maple Street), arrest;
8:51 p.m.: 911, ambulance needed (School Street), removed to hospital;
8:52 p.m.: trespassing (Pine Street), spoken to;
10:27 p.m.: fire alarm (Mill Glen Road), call cancelled;

Arrests:<
Teresa Elizabeth Graham, age 54, 70 West St, Winchendon MA, charged with: arrest based on a warrant.
Miranda L Graham, age 31, 70 West St, Winchendon, MA, charged with: violate harassment protection order.
Stephanie Lynne Brown, age 40, 88 Spruce St, Winchendon, MA, charged with: operating MV with suspended registration; operating MV with suspended license; uninsured motor vehicle; no inspection sticker.

FRIDAY MAY 23
12:06-1:37 a.m.: building checks, all secure;
12:08 a.m.: extra patrols (Winchendon Community Park, Ingleside Drive), checked/secure;
12:25 a.m.: extra patrols (Winchendon Housing Authority, Pearl Drive), checked/secure;
1:53 a.m.: disturbance (Pond Street), unable to locate;
1:57 a.m.: 911, fire/mutual aid (Athol, Main Street), no fire service necessary;
2:05 a.m.: suspicious vehicle (Highland Street), no cause for complaint;
2:14 a.m.: 911, fire/mutual aid (Athol, Main Street), services rendered;
2:56 a.m.: extra patrols (Goodrich Drive), checked/secure;
6:50 a.m.: assist other police department (Juniper Street), unable to locate;
8:47 a.m.: fire alarm (Central Street), services rendered;
9:28 a.m.: vandalism (Otter River Road), report taken;
9:32 a.m.: 911, ambulance needed (Grove Street), removed to hospital;
9:38 a.m.: officer requested (Park Street), report taken;
10:07 a.m.: officer requested (Lakeshore Drive), property returned to owner;
10:44 a.m.: fraud (Converse Drive), report taken;
11:47 a.m.: animal complaint (Hyde Park Street), referred to ACO;
1:47 p.m.: 911, 911 hang-up (Mill Street), spoken to;
1:51 p.m.: 911, 911 call non-emergency (Central Street), no police service necessary;
2:26 p.m.: 911, ambulance needed (Lincoln Avenue), removed to hospital;
2:36 p.m.: welfare check/general (Linden Street @ Maple Street), transport;
2:51 p.m.: ATV complaint (Lincoln Avenue), spoken to;
3:57 p.m.: transport (Gardner Road), transport;
4:45 p.m.: MV stop (Gardner Road), written warning;
5:19 p.m.: 911, ambulance needed (Mill Street), removed to hospital;
6:52 p.m.: 911, ambulance needed (Mill Street), removed to hospital;
8:18 p.m.: MV stop (Central Street), traffic citation issued;
8:58 p.m.: MV stop (Goodrich Drive), arrest;
10:41 p.m.: 911, animal complaint (West Street), services rendered;

Arrests:
Beau Michael Manning, age 21, 2029 Pleasant St, Athol, MA, charged with: OUI-liquor over .08%; negligent operation of motor vehicle.

SATURDAY MAY 24
12:58 a.m.: animal complaint (West Street), services rendered;
1:49-5:00 a.m.: building checks, all secure;
5:53: MV stop (Gardner Road), verbal warning;
10:53 a.m.: ambulance needed (Pearl Street), no fire service necessary;
11:38 a.m.: 911, disturbance (Hospital Road), removed to hospital;
1:24 p.m.: MV stop (Spruce Street), verbal warning;
1:45 p.m.: 911, ambulance needed (Robbins Road), removed to hospital;
2:29 p.m.: civil complaint (Spring Street), no police service necessary;
2:49 p.m.: 911, 911 hang-up (Front Street), advised officer;
3:44 p.m.: 911, accident (Main Street), unable to locate;
4:31 p.m.: Fire Department call/general (Mill Glen Road), spoken to;
4:43 p.m.: neighbor dispute (Lakeshore Drive), assisted;
4:57 p.m.: unwanted party (Pine Street), report taken;
6:19 p.m.: officer requested (Spruce Street), report taken;
6:26 p.m.: accident (Independence Drive), assisted;
6:36 p.m.: 911, ambulance needed (Front Street), removed to hospital;
6:37 p.m.: animal complaint (School Street @ Grove Street), referred to ACO;
7:44 p.m.: welfare check/child (Prospect Street), spoken to;
9:49 p.m.: MV operating erratically (Baldwinville State Road), unable to locate;
11:26 p.m.: MV stop (Gardner Road), verbal warning;
11:36-11:58 a.m.: building checks, all secure;

SUNDAY MAY 25
12:01-3:14 a.m.: building checks, all secure;
12:14 a.m.: MV stop (Spring Street), verbal warning;
12:36 a.m.: officer requested (South Royalston Road), spoken to;
1:55 a.m.: 911, 911 call non-emergency (Goodrich Street), report taken;
8:20 a.m.: 911, ambulance needed (Ready Drive), removed to hospital;
10:52 a.m.: lift assist (Hyde Park Drive), services rendered;
1:09 p.m.: 911, welfare check/general (Spring Street), assisted;
2:28 p.m.: welfare check/general (Maynard Street), spoken to;

3:08 p.m.: 911, 911 call non-emergency (Chestnut Street), 911 non-emergency call;
6:09 p.m.: suspicious vehicle (Pine Street), no police service necessary;
6:46 p.m.: MV stop (Grove Street), verbal warning;
7:32 p.m.: animal complaint (Metcalf Street), returned to home or family;
9:13 p.m.: disabled vehicle (Gardner Road), no police service necessary;
10:09 p.m.: 911, ambulance (Ipswich Drive), removed to hospital;
11:29 p.m.: MV stop (Central Street), verbal warning;
11:45-11:55 p.m.: building checks, all secure;

MONDAY MAY 26
12:01-3:38 a.m.: building checks, all secure;
12:02 a.m.: extra patrols (Cumberland Farms, Central Street), checked/secure;
12:11 a.m.: extra patrols (Winchendon Community Park, Ingleside Drive), checked/secure;
12:32 a.m.: 911, investigation (Park Street), spoken to;
3:22 a.m.: extra patrols (Winchendon Housing Authority, Pearl Drive), checked/secure;
3:27 a.m.: extra patrols (The Winchendon School, Ash Street), checked/secure;
12:00 p.m.: 911, ambulance needed (Lakeshore Drive), no fire service necessary;
12:30 p.m.: property found (Spruce Street), info taken;
1:18 p.m.: lock-out vehicle (Glenallen Street), services rendered;
1:46 p.m.: 911, ambulance needed (Pond Street), removed to hospital;
2:02 p.m.: assis other police departtment (other town, Squire Road), services rendered;
2:48 p.m.: disturbance (Teel Road), no police service necessary;
2:54 p.m.: 911, traffic hazard (Glenallen Street @ Tolman Road), assisted;
3:58 p.m.: animal complaint (Forristall Road), unable to locate;
4:10 p.m.: suspicious vehicle (Pine Street), services rendered;
7:16 p.m.: larceny (Spring Street), info taken;
7:21 p.m.: assist other police department (Central Street), message delivered;
7:43 p.m.: larceny (Spring Street), unable to locate;
8:31 p.m.: disturbance (Ash Street), services rendered;
9:48 p.m.: welfare check/general (Pinewood Drive), spoken to;

TUESDAY MAY 27
12:14 a.m.: extra patrols (Winchendon Community Park, Ingleside Drive), checked/secure;
12:23- a.m.: building checks, all secure;
2:38 a.m.: suspicious vehicle (Central Street), spoken to;
3:23 a.m.: extra patrols (Winchendon Housing Authority, Pearl Drive), checked/secure;
3:33 a.m.: 911, ambulance needed (Beachview Drive), removed to hospital;
9:42 a.m.: 911, ambulance needed (Hyde Park Drive), removed to hospital;
10:29 a.m.: investigation (Brown Street), spoken to;
10:34 a.m.: investigation (Brown Street), spoken to;
10:37 a.m.: larceny (Webster Street), report taken;
10:54 a.m.: burglar alarm (Hospital Road), call cancelled;
10:37 a.m.: larceny (Webster Street), report taken;
10:54 a.m.: burglar alarm (Hospital Road), call cancelled;
10:59 a.m.: illegal dumping (Grove Street), report taken;
11:17 a.m.: warrant of apprehension (High Street), transport;
11:30 a.m.: assist citizen (Metcalf Street), assisted;
12:17 p.m.: 911, ambulance needed (Lincoln Avenue), removed to hospital;
12:44 p.m.: 911, accident (Central Street), report taken;
1:04 p.m.: suspicious person (Spring Street), no cause for complaint;
1:14 p.m.: transport (Gardner Road @ Old Gardner Road), transport;
2:03 p.m.: 911, suspicious person (Spring Street @ Glenallen Street), advised officer;
2:53 p.m.: 911, ambulance needed (Pleasant Street), removed to hospital;
4:06 p.m.: suspicious vehicle (Pine Street), advised officer;
5:06 p.m.: 911, ambulance needed (North Royalston Road), removed to hospital;
5:06 p.m.: 911, MV operating erratically (Emerald Street), spoken to;
5:06 p.m.: animal complaint (Maynard Street), returned to home or family;
7:03 p.m.: 911, fight (River Street), arrest;
7:26 p.m.: officer requested (Spring Street), spoken to;
7:39 p.m.: 911, ambulance needed (Central Street), removed to hospital;
9:08 p.m.: assist other agency (River Street), assisted;
10:44 p.m.: fire/automatic box alarm (Ash Street), services rendered;
11:28 p.m.: MV stop (Central Street), verbal warning;
11:33 p.m.: trespassing (Memorial Drive), spoken to;

Arrests:
Nancy Johanna Escobar-Santos, age 34, 418 River St, Apt #1, Winchendon, MA, charged with: A & B on family/household member.

WEDNESDAY MAY 28
12:34 a.m.: extra patrols (Winchendon Community Park, Ingleside Drive), checked/secure;
12:52-3:05 a.m.: building checks, all secure;
12:58 a.m.: 911, ambulance needed (Hospital Road), removed to hospital;
3:10 a.m.: extra patrols (Winchendon Housing Authority, Pearl Drive), checked/secure;
5:32 a.m.: 911, ambulance needed (Alger Street), removed to hospital;
5:45 a.m.: officer requested (Fairbanks Street), spoken to;
7:06 a.m.: 911, accident (Baldwinville State Road), spoken to;
8:07 a.m.: animal complaint (Spruce Street), services rendered;
8:38 a.m.: officer requested (School Street), no police service necessary;
10:00 a.m.: sex offender registration (Mill Circle), info taken;
10:23 a.m.: 911, ambulance needed (Hyde Park Drive), removed to hospital;
10:49 a.m.: officer requested (Hospital Road), spoken to;
12:01 p.m.: officer requested (Pine Street), report taken;
1:03 p.m.: 911, ambulance needed (Central Street), removed to hospital;
3:07 p.m.: burglary / breaking & entering (School Street), report taken;
3:36 p.m.: officer requested (other town, Holt Road), spoken to;
3:38 p.m.: repossession of a vehicle (Old County Road), info taken;
4:18 p.m.: animal complaint (Emerald Street), referred to ACO;
4:43 p.m.: threats (Hyde Park Drive), report taken;
4:55 p.m.: officer requested (Glenallen Street), report taken;
5:59 p.m.: property found (Juniper Street), spoken to;
6:58 p.m.: officer requested (Spring Street), spoken to;
8:02 p.m.: MV stop (Front Street), verbal warning;
8:07 p.m.: suspicious vehicle (Baldwinville Road), verbal warning;
8:12 p.m.: MV stop (Gardner Road), verbal warning;
8:18 p.m.: MV stop (Baldwinville State Road), verbal warning;
8:25 p.m.: MV stop (Gardner Road), written warning;
8:53 p.m.: extra patrols (Cornerstone Church, Gardner Road), checked/secure;
9:05 p.m.: missing person (River Street), returned to home or family;
9:36 p.m.: noise complaint (Island Road), unfounded;
10:00 p.m.: suspicious person (Front Street), spoken to;
10:03 p.m.: disturbance/group (Central Street), spoken to;
11:03 p.m.: disturbance (Mill Street), no cause for complaint;