Lunch is served at the Old Murdock Senior Center, 52 Murdock Ave., Winchendon, Monday through Thursday at 11:30 a.m.
On Fridays, lunch is served at The HUB, 5 Summer Drive, Winchendon, from 10:30 to 12:30 p.m. Bowling is free for seniors during this time.
Call 978-297-3155 before noon the preceding day to RSVP for lunch. Suggested donation of $3 to help cover costs.
Menu for week of July 21- July 25, 2025:
Monday, 7/21: Hawaiian chicken, rice, vegetable blend, whole wheat roll, chilled fruit.
Tuesday 7/22: Meatloaf with gravy, whipped potatoes, peasa, multigrain bread, mixed fruit.
Wednesday 7/23: (cold) seafood salad, garden salad, tabouli, Vienna bread, yogurt, juice.
Thursday 7/24: Birthday: pulled pork, sweet potato, collard greens, bun, cake.
Friday 7/25: Macaroni & cheese, stewed tomatoes, oat bread, chilled fruit.
Audit Committee Member Needed
The Audit Committee needs a fifth member to join the Committee.
If you are a registered voter of Winchendon, please send your letter of interest to Debra Dennis, DDennis@winchendon-ma.gov, Executive Assistant, Town Manager's Office 109 Front Street.
Duties & Responsibilities
38.3 The Audit Committee shall solicit, interview and recommend to the Board of Selectmen the firm of independent auditors that is to audit and report on the financial statements issued by the Town. The Audit Committee shall review the audit plan with the independent auditors and upon completion of the audit, meet with the independent auditors to discuss the results of the audit and the annual financial reports.
38.4 The Audit Committee shall transmit a copy of the completed annual audited financials and management letter report to the Board of Selectmen, the Finance Committee and the School Committee, and with the assistance from the auditing firm, shall present the results of the annual audited financials and management letter report to a jointly held public meeting of the Board of Selectmen, the School Committee and the Finance Committee.
For more details, see www.townofwinchendon.com/audit-committee
Applications Open for FY26 Senior Tax Work-Off Program
Once again this year, we are pleased to announce the Senior Work-Off program was approved at our Annual Town Meeting. This Senior Work-Off Abatement Program is allowing the Town of Winchendon the opportunity to utilize the knowledge and skills of its senior residents in exchange for credit toward the resident's property tax bill. The purpose of this program is:
To employ qualified senior citizens who will apply their earnings toward payment of a portion of their property taxes;
To increase senior citizen involvement in local government; and
To enhance municipal service by using the skills of resident senior citizens.
Qualified and income-eligible residents will accrue the Commonwealth's minimum wage per hour ($15.00 hr) toward a maximum credit of $1,100.00 per household during the fiscal year.
The criteria for this program is:
You must be 60 years old or older
Homeowner in Winchendon and occupy property
Annual income below $40,150 if single; or below $45,900 if married.
Applications for the program are now available in the Town Manager's office and on the town website at https://www.townofwinchendon.com/home/news/fy26-senior-work-application, and will be accepted until the ten (10) slots are filled. There are different types of positions that are available depending on preference and qualifications of the resident and the needs of each department.
Types of past and current positions have been: Custodial services, clerical help for both School & Town, Library Aides, Senior Center Aides, Cable Station Operator, Bike Path Clean up, Painting, Light Outdoor Work and Classroom Volunteers.
Please contact the Town Manager's Office at (978) 297-5431 or ddennis@winchendon-ma.gov for more information or if you need an application mailed to you.
Economic Development Task Force Members Needed
The Town of Winchendon is in search of five residents with relevant professional experience to serve on the Economic Development Task Force.
The Economic Development Task Force purpose is to identify, promote, and facilitate opportunities for sustainable economic growth in Winchendon. The primary focus will be on attracting new investment and encouraging responsible land development through proactive business engagement and the development of strategic incentives, while supporting the retention and expansion of existing businesses.
Key Objectives:
Locate and engage with prospective businesses across a range of industries.
- Encourage new investment and land development in town.
- Develop a strategic economic development plan aligned with the town's long-term goals.
- Serve as an advisory group to the Board of Selectmen, providing policy and program recommendations.
- Generate a list of properties and parcels of land for sale and/or ready for development.
- Target developers who specialize in rural or small-town projects.
If interested sent letters of interest to
ddennis@winchendon-ma.gov or mail to Town of Winchendon Attn: Debra Dennis 109 Front Street Winchendon MA 01475
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 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 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
H.O.P.E. Summer Camp
H.O.P.E. is offering (3) two-week sessions throughout the summer! All sessions are FREE for the ages of 5 through 13 years old!
Meals & Snacks are provided!
Sessions will run: Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m. UNTIL 3:00 p.m.
Located at: 29 Pleasant Street, Gardner MA
Each Session Offers:
~ Hands-on Learning of the Themed Week
~ Team Building
~ Social & Emotional Skill Building
~ S.T.E.A.M. Projects
1st Session July 7 - July 18
Week 1: Pirates Theme
Week 2: Ocean Theme
(Gardner Transportation Offered)
2nd Session July 21 - August 1
Week 3: Space Exploration
Week 4: Fairy Tales & Fantasy
(Gardner Transportation Offered)
3rd Session August 4 - August 15
Week 5: Animals & Nature
Week 6: Sports & Music
(Winchendon Transportation Offered)
To sign up and register contact:
Ash Hayes
978-277-1846
Ahayes@hopegardner.org
FREE Meals for KIDS all summer long at Toy Town Elementary!
"Summer Eats" program run by Project Bread will run at Toy Town Elementary School, 175 Grove Street, Winchendon.
- All kids and teens up to age 18!
- Program runs June 23 through August 15, 12:00 - 1:00 p.m. - Closed July 4
- Free lunch Monday through Thursday!
- NO ID or Registration required!
- Kids do not need to be residents of Winchendon or enrolled in Winchendon Public Schools
- Fun activities each day!
- No grab and go options available. Lunches will be served on site.
For more information, see
https://projectbread.org/summer-eats-program
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.
Board of Health Members Needed
The Board of Health is seeking qualified members to fill recent vacancies.
If you are a registered voter of Winchendon, please consider sending in your letter of interest to serve on this very important Board. This term will run only until the next Town Election in May, 2026.
Please send in your letter of interest by 12:00 noon on Monday, July 21, 2025 to Debra Dennis, DDennis@winchendon-ma.gov, Executive Assistant, Town Manager's Office 109 Front Street.
Duties & Responsibilities
Winchendon has a five member Board of Health who work along with a Health Agent and Health Inspector. According to various statutes in the Massachusetts General Laws, the Board of Health is responsible for inspecting, licensing and enforcing regulations for recreational camps, food establishments, indoor ice rinks, public swimming pools, tanning facilities, body art establishments, and public lodging facilities. The Board is also responsible for enforcement of state regulations regarding housing as well as the disposal of solid waste and subsurface sanitary sewage disposal (Title V).
Conservation Commission Needs Two Members
The Conservation Commission is looking for two qualified applicants to serve on the Commission. If interested send letters of interest to nroberts@winchendon-ma.org
Description of Services
The Winchendon Conservation Commission is a five-member board responsible for the local administration and enforcement of the Massachusetts Wetland Protection Act (MGL, Chapter 131, Section 40). The Conservation Commission has also assumed the same responsibilities for the Town of Winchendon Wetlands Protection Bylaw approved by voters at the 2007 Annual town Meeting. The Town of Winchendon Wetlands Protection Bylaw includes some stronger provisions over and above those found in the Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act, primarily in the form of greater no-build and no-disturb setbacks from wetland resource areas.
Generally, the Conservation Commission's regulatory authority is triggered when alteration or construction is proposed in a wetland or floodplain, within 100 feet of a wetland, or within 200 feet of a river, stream or brook that flows year round. Under the Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act and town of Winchendon Wetlands Protection Bylaw, the Commission is required to issue decisions that provide for the following eight interests:
Protection of public and private water supply
Protection of ground water supply
Flood control
Prevention of storm damage
Prevention of pollution
Protection of land containing shellfish
Protection of fisheries
Protection of wildlife habitat
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.
TOWN OF WINCHENDON
109 Front Street, Dept 1, Winchendon, MA 01475-1758
Town Accountant - Town of Winchendon
The Town of Winchendon with a population of 10,364 and a budget of $36 million is seeking a highly qualified individual to join its management team in the role of Town Accountant. The position manages the development and execution of the accounting operations of the town. Professional accounting and auditing work related to the maintenance of the Town's financial records and the expenditure of Town funds in compliance with Mass. General Laws and the Town's Charter. This position involves considerable interaction with department heads and staff, including the School Department. The position establishes policies and procedures to ensure fiscal accountability for all departments, reconciliation of town financial records, assistance with budgeting and capital planning, and preparation of various reports.
Supervises the Assistant Town Accountant.
Minimum qualifications include a bachelor's degree in accounting, finance or related field; five to seven years of progressively responsible experience in accounting, of which at least three years are in municipal accounting, or an equivalent combination of education and experience; knowledge of Massachusetts municipal government procedures, general laws, and procurement; MUNIS financial software and possession or ability to obtain certifications as a Massachusetts Certified Governmental Accountant or Certified Public Accountant. Some knowledge of Massachusetts procurement preferred.
This is a benefited, non-union 40 hour week position, Monday through Thursday, with some flexibility. Salary range is $80,000 - $90,000 DOQ. Resumes accepted until position is filled with preliminary review of resumes to occur May 8, 2025 at 12:00PM. For full job description, please select the link below. Please send your letter of introduction and resume to Town of Winchendon, Attn: William McKinney, Town Manager, 109 Front Street, Dept. 1, Winchendon, MA 01475 or email bmckinney@winchendon-ma.gov. The Town of Winchendon is an EOE/AA employer.
For complete job description, see https://www.townofwinchendon.com/home/pages/job-opportunities
TOWN OF WINCHENDON
109 Front Street, Dept 1, Winchendon, MA 01475-1758
Director of Public Works and Facilities
The Town of Winchendon is seeking a Director of Public Works and Facilities for a 40 hour per week position to provide under the direction of the Town Manager and in accordance with Town policies and objectives, direct the Winchendon Department of Public Works, including planning, organizing, and controlling all functions and activities, such as highway maintenance and construction, sanitary and storm sewer maintenance and construction, solid waste disposal, traffic and parking control, parks and recreation maintenance, water supply and distribution, and snow removal. Starting salary is $105,000-$115,000. Submit resume and cover letter to: William McKinney, Town Manager, 109 Front Street, Department 1, Winchendon, MA 01475 or by email to bmckinney@winchendon-ma.gov no later than June 3, 2025. Position will remain open until filled.
For complete job description, see https://www.townofwinchendon.com/home/pages/job-opportunities
TOWN OF WINCHENDON
The Community Connector
Part-Time Driver
The Community Connector is a microtransit system run by the Town of Winchendon and the Winchendon CAC. The Community Connector's mission is to provide dependable, reliable, and sustainable community-centered transportation for all persons to connect to economic opportunities, healthy food options, community resources, medical care, and essential services regardless of access to a personal vehicle.
The Community Connector is looking for a part-time driver. The driver will drive a bus owned by our partner, MART, and will be trained by MART. The driver may also be required to drive vehicles owned by the Town of Winchendon and the Winchendon CAC. No CDL required for any vehicle. Drivers complete pick-ups and drop-offs scheduled for them by dispatch. Drivers may also be required to drive the Toy Town Trolley, a fixed route between Winchendon and Rindge, NH.
Salary: $17.03/hour
Hours: Mon, Tues, Fri 9-3. Must be available at least one Saturday a month. Other shifts when available. Up to 25 hours/week.
Community Connector drivers:
- Practice defensive driving and follow all rules of the road
- Assist riders, especially seniors, getting in and out of vehicles
- Must be able to lift up to 10 lbs (this includes walkers, stepstools and other items)
- Inform dispatch and/or the transportation coordinator when any vehicle requires maintenance
- Keep vehicles clean
- Drive vehicles provided by the Community Connector
- Complete driver training with MART
- Shadow a veteran driver prior to their first shift
- Are CORI checked by the Town of Winchendon
- Have their driving record checked by the Winchendon CAC
- Are drug tested and complete a physical with MART during onboarding
Requirements:
- Must have a valid driver's license
- Must have personal car insurance or non-owner car insurance
To apply: Please fill out an application for the Town of Winchendon and send it to
Katie@communityconnector.co or drop it off at Old Murdock Senior Center, 52 Murdock Ave, Winchendon MA, during the hours of Monday-Thursday, 9am-3pm. In the section
Position You Are Applying For, please put
Part-Time Driver. No resume or cover letter is required. Download an application at
https://www.townofwinchendon.com/home/pages/job-opportunities.
