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.

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

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 One Member

The Conservation Commission is looking for one more qualified applicant 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 August 5, 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.

Agricultural Commission - 1 vacancy, 3 alternate vacancies
Board of Health - 1 vacancy
Charter/Bylaw Review Committee - 1 vacancy
Communications Committee - 1 vacancy
Council on Aging - 3 vacancies
Cultural Council - 12 vacancies
Fence Viewer and Field Driver - 1 vacancy
Historical District Commission - 1 alternate vacancy
Parks & Recreation Commission - 2 vacancies, 1 high school rep vacancy
Winchendon Commission on Disabilities - 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.

SUNDAY AUGUST 17
12:08-12:48 a.m.: building checks, all secure;
12:46 a.m.: investigation (Waterville Plaza), checked/secure;
7:14 a.m.: disturbance (Grove Street), spoken to;
8:08 a.m.: officer requested (Maple Street), spoken to;
8:43 a.m.: animal complaint (Joslin Road), assisted;
8:52 a.m.: Keep The Peace (West Street), services rendered;
9:25 a.m.: 911, fire alarm (Hyde Park Drive), services rendered;
10:21 a.m.: MV stop (Gardner Road), verbal warning;
10:35 a.m.: 911, MV accident, no injuries (Hall Road @ Spring Street), report taken;
11:31 a.m.: animal complaint (Front Street), services rendered;
11:55 a.m.: animal complaint (Monadnock Avenue), referred to ACO;
12:39 p.m.: MV stop (Grove Street), verbal warning;
1:29 p.m.: suspicious person (Christmas Tree Lane), gone on arrival;
1:45 p.m.: suspicious person (Baldwinville Road), transport;
2:27 p.m.: assist citizen (Spring Street), spoken to;
2:31 p.m.: investigation (Spring Street), services rendered;
3:24 p.m.: investigation (Kemp Street), report taken;
3:26 p.m.: officer requested (Walnut Street), spoken to;
4:07 p.m.: info/general (Bruce Road), info taken;
6:12 p.m.: 911, 911 call non-emergency (Bemis Road), 911 non-emergency call;
7:02 p.m.: 911, ambulance needed (Center Lane), removed to hospital;
7:37 p.m.: MV stop (Baldwinville Road), verbal warning;
7:44 p.m.: MV stop (Elmwood Road), verbal warning;
7:49 p.m.: MV stop (Elmwood Road), written warning;
7:58 p.m.: MV stop (Elmwood Road), verbal warning;
8:17 p.m.: MV stop (Spring Street), verbal warning;
8:43 p.m.: MV operating erratically (Krantz Road), unable to locate;
9:11 p.m.: MV accident, no injuries (Spring Street), report taken;

MONDAY AUGUST 18
12:19 a.m.: extra patrols (Winchendon Community Park, Ingleside Drive), checked/secure;
12:31-2:54 a.m.: building checks, all secure;
12:55 a.m.: suspicious vehicle (Main Street), checked/secure;
1:25 a.m.: suspicious person (Central Street), spoken to;
2:20 a.m.: patrol initiated (Central Street), checked/secure;
2:31 a.m.: 911, ambulance needed (Central Street), assisted;
2:47 a.m.: extra patrols (Winchendon Housing Authority, Pearl Drive), checked/secure;
6:02 a.m.: suicide threats (address not published), report taken;
6:30 a.m.: officer requested (Maple Street), spoken to;
7:00 a.m.: animal complaint (Bemis Road), referred to ACO;
8:30 a.m.: loitering (Oak Street), spoken to;
8:52 a.m.: harassment (Western Avenue), report taken;
10:27 a.m.: 911, ambulance needed (Robbns Road), removed to hospital;
11:00 a.m.: assist other agency (other town, Grave Avenue), referred to other P.D.;
12:10 p.m.: fraud (Lakeshore Drive), report taken;
12:36 p.m.: runaway (Hospital Road), no police service necessary;
12:57 p.m.: stolen vehicle (Duval Court), info taken;
1:25 p.m.: Fire Department call/general (Winter Street), services rendered;
2:42 p.m.: accident (Spring Street), investigated/report taken;
3:11 p.m.: 911, 911 call non-emergency (Baldwinville State Road), accidental/defective alarm;
3:27 p.m.: welfare check/general (Eagle Road), spoken to;

3:55 p.m.: traffic enforcement (Hale Street @ Doyle Avenue), checked/secure;
4:43 p.m.: 911, 911 hang-up (other town, Dunn Road), referred to other P.D.;
4:57 p.m.: tree down (Glenallen Street), referred to DPW;
5:02 p.m.: tree down (Glenallen Street), info taken;
5:16 p.m.: extra patrols (Summer Drive), checked/secure;
6:23 p.m.: animal complaint (Pleasant Street), unable to locate;
6:34 p.m.: assist other police department (Central Street), unfounded;
7:25 p.m.: investigation (Lincoln Avenue @ Grove Street), spoken to;
7:41 p.m.: investigation (School Street), info given;
7:52 p.m.: 911, officer requested (Alger Street), arrest;
7:54 p.m.: 911, ambulance needed (Vaine Street), removed to hospital;
8:05 p.m.: intoxicated person (Eagle Road), assisted;
8:07 p.m.: intoxicated person (Eagle Road), removed to hospital;
9:27 p.m.: 911, fight (Beech Street @ Spring Street), removed to hospital;
9:52 p.m.: 911, officer requested (other town, Vals Way), assisted;
10:02 p.m.: 911, officer requested (Franklin Street), assisted;

Arrests:
Jeffrey Dean Rota, age 38, 130 Elm St, Baldwinville, MA, charged with: A & B with a dangerous weapon.

WEDNESDAY AUGUST 20
12:42 a.m.: extra patrols (Lincoln Avenue), checked/secure;
12:47-3:05 a.m.: building checks, all secure;
12:55 a.m.: extra patrols (Winchendon Community Park, Ingleside Drive), checked/secure;
12:58 a.m.: extra patrols (Railroad Street), checked/secure;
1:14 a.m.: extra patrols (Snowbound Club, Baldwinville Road), checked/secure;
1:20 a.m.: suspicious vehicle (School Street), checked/secure;
1:28 a.m.: suspicious vehicle (Commercial Drive), checked/secure;
2:50 a.m.: extra patrols (Winchendon Housing Authority, Pearl Drive), checked/secure;
7:00 a.m.: animal complaint (Bike Path), referred to ACO;
7:54 a.m.: property damage (Brooks Road), report taken;
8:31 a.m.: warrant of apprehension (Mill Glen Road), referred to court;
9:29 a.m.: assist other agency (Cedar Terrace), spoken to;
10:37 a.m.: property lost (Brown Street), property seized;
11:03 a.m.: fraud (Elm Street), spoken to;
11:22 a.m.: sex offender registration (Central Street), assisted;
11:33 a.m.: animal complaint (Baldwinville, Elm Street), referred to ACO;
1:02 p.m.: mutual aid to scene (other town, Stowell Road), call cancelled;
2:02 p.m.: disabled vehicle (Spring Circle), info taken;
2:23 p.m.: 911, ambulance needed (Robbins Road), removed to hospital;
3:30 p.m.: mental health issue (Alger Street), removed to hospital;
4:15 p.m.: 911, ambulance needed (Hyde Park Drive), removed to hospital;
4:17 p.m.: MV operating erratically (Spring Street), unable to locate;
4:28 p.m.: animal complaint (Ingleside Drive), services rendered;
4:50 p.m.: fire/automatic box alarm (Hyde Park Drive), services rendered;
6:11 p.m.: property found (Brown Street), property returned to owner;
7:38 p.m.: officer requested (Teel Road), spoken to;
8:01 p.m.: harassment (Spring Street), unable to locate;
8:34 p.m.: suspicious vehicle (Hale Street), advised officer;
8:53 p.m.: MV stop (Main Street), verbal warning;
10:26 p.m.: extra patrols (Winchendon Community Park, Ingleside Drive), checked/secure;
10:35 p.m.: 911, fire alarm (Brown Street), services rendered;