Upcoming Holiday Events in Winchendon!
December 13: Holiday Bazaar and Cookie Sale at UUCW
December 13: Sensory Friendly Santa Visit at Beals Memorial Library
December 13--December 14: Christmas in Toy Town Holiday Open House at WHCC
December 14: A Christmas Carol presented by The Bridge Artistic Network at
____________Cornerstone Church
December 14: A Classic Christmas - Concert with Cassie Swartz at the WHCC
December 17: Movie Night at the Beals, It's a Wonderful Life
December 18: Winchendon Community Caroling at the Beals
December 20: Pioneer Valley Brass Quintet at UUCW
For details, scroll down to the Community Connector Calendar!
This Week's Winchendon News
State and Local Agencies Celebrate Ground-Breaking for Veterans Housing in Winchendon

Architectural rendering of the final project
Photo by Inanna Arthen

Architectural schematic of the project interiors
Photo by Inanna Arthen
On Tuesday, December 9, the Executive Office of Veterans Services (EOVS) and the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (HLC) joined town officials, local legislators, partners and the Massachusetts Veterans Outreach Center (MVOC) at the Old Murdock Senior Center auditorium to celebrate the official closeout on financing and groundbreaking on the MVOC Veterans Housing Project. This project, in which MVOC has invested tireless years of planning and fundraising, will see the former Streeter and Poland elementary schools renovated and remodeled into a single building with 44 units of affordable housing for veterans.
An murmur of happy conversation filled the Old Murdock's second floor auditorium, which was set up with chairs, a sound system, and lectern, along with tables filled with MVOC information and sign-up sheets, and hard hats--the event would conclude with a tour of the construction already underway, for those who wanted to participate. Some of those present included Winchendon Town Manager Bill McKinney, Winchendon Board of Selectmen Chair Andrew Beauvais and Winchendon's state representative Jon Zlotnik (who has advocated for the project from the very beginning). Also in attendance were several members of the press, including a crew from NBC Channel 10 Boston.
Mr. McKinney called everyone to find a seat, and welcomed the attendees, before introducing the first speaker: Andrea Gayle Bennett, retired Brigadier General of the United States Army, member of the Governor's Veterans Home Council and Deputy Secretary of Veterans Services.
"It is really a great day to be here in Winchendon, my first time, and it's a proud moment for the veterans' community," Ms. Bennett said. "Before anything else, I want to recognize Governor Healy, Lieutenant Governor Driscoll, and Secretary [of Housing and Livable Communities, Edward] Augustus, and they have been a committed ally in this work, and their support reflects a shared belief that veterans deserve safe, stable, affordable housing, and this administration has been clear on that priority, and it continues to guide everything that we do."
She continued, "So today is a milestone, and this construction kickoff marks a turning point in a program that took six years of persistence and partnership. The Montachusett Veterans Outreach Center never lost sight of its goal. Projects like this don't happen without people who stay committed, even when the process is long and complicated, and that's what we're celebrating today. As part of the Healey/Driscoll administration's $20 million End Veteran Homelessness campaign, EOPS, together with HLC, committed $13 million to veteran housing across the state. Those investments closed the final gap and allowed this project to move forward.
"And over the past 18 months, communities across the state have seen real progress. Veterans are moving into permanent housing at a pace we have not seen in years, and street homelessness among veterans has dropped significantly, and because of that partnership with them, with your determination, those two historic buildings will soon become 44 units for veterans, not temporary beds, not short term fixes, but a place to call home, a place where veterans can rebuild stability, stay connected to services and feel rooted in their community. And this is exactly the kind of project we need more of local leadership, smart investments and a clear commitment to keeping veterans housed."
Ms. Bennett said she was looking forward to the hard hat tour, because "It's about standing in those buildings that once served this town's children and seeing how it will soon serve veterans."

Brigadier General (Ret.) Andrea Gayle Bennett addresses the gathering
Photo by Inanna Arthen

Town and state officials and project leaders in front of the Streeter School
Photo by Inanna Arthen
Tom Comeau, President of Commodore Builders (commodorebuilders.com) which is doing the construction, said, "We carry a strong sense of responsibility when it comes to building spaces for veterans who have served, many of our colleagues and family members and friends have worn the uniform, and we believe veterans deserve not only high quality places to live, but also a place to offer stability, dignity and opportunity." He spoke about the collaboration between his company, which is veteran-owned, the architects at Jones Whitsett, and every member of the team. The buildings will be remodeled but also have their original character preserved, so they will remain a part of town history. "So to the veterans who one day will call this place home, who continue to serve their communities long after their military service, this work is for you. It reflects our gratitude and our shared belief that you deserve the very best. We look forward to continuing partnership and delivering a project that will strengthen the community."
Cathy Stallings McWilliams, President and MVOC Founder, began by telling attendees about her husband Justin, a Vietnam veteran who struggled with PTSD, taking his own life in 1975. "After dealing with the initial shock and grief of his death, I was determined to give not only his life but his death some meaning, determined that his death would not be in vain. I felt that if I could prevent even one veteran from choosing Justin's path, then his death definitely would have some meaning...I began writing letters and making calls to local and state officials and politicians, in fact, anyone who would listen to me. In early 1982 under the administration of Governor Michael Dukakis and Lieutenant Governor John Kerry, the state of Massachusetts awarded us the very first funding for $25,000. Back then, it was a lot, so we were able to take that money and open our first storefront Veterans Outreach Center in the city of Fitchburg. We were there until the early 90s, and for the next four decades, and to this very day, the state of Massachusetts has continued to fund what later came to be known as the Montachusett Veterans Health Center."
Veteran Paul Cormier spoke about his experiences with the shortage of housing for veterans in Massachusetts. He credited the MVOC's programs for helping him transition back to civilian life after 21 years of military service--he's now retired from a second career, financially secure and a productive member of society.
Last to speak was Stephanie Marchetti, the Executive Director of MVOC. "I know many of you know who we are, but you may not know everything that we do," she said. "Housing and supportive services to veterans throughout North Central Massachusetts. We actually, last year, provided housing and support services to veterans in 13 states in two countries, because word gets around. We are able to do this through federal contracts, state contracts, local foundation and donation sources, and we are able to, through all of those sources, provide veterans with transitional housing, permanent supportive housing, independent housing, suicide prevention programming, housing stabilization, case management, outreach benefits, advisement, financial assistance grants, medical, transportation, a food pantry and much more. And we do all of that with a staff of about 22 people. We serve over 500 veterans a year with those services."
She went on, "The MVOC has been slowly and steadily adding housing to our organization since the 90s. We have two permanent support and group homes, a 12-bed transitional shelter program, and 20 independent apartments, about 55 units in total. But it isn't enough, and there is still a large need for housing, and that is what got us all here today. The Streeter and Poland redevelopment project will really double our housing inventory, providing apartments, which we will focus on, distributed to homeless and high risk veterans in our region.
"Today we mark the start of construction, which actually began about a month ago, and we anticipate 16 to 18 months of construction before we're able to open up and move folks in, which means that about this time next year, maybe in about 13 months, our housing lottery will begin to open. We'll begin accepting candidates, and by spring 2027 we'll begin identifying our occupants for this housing project. This has been exciting. It has been complicated, and we are committed to preserving what we can of these two buildings so generously handed into our care by the town of Winchendon."
Following the speakers, about two dozen attendees took hard hats from the table and walked over to the Streeter and Poland buildings which are almost next door to the Old Murdock, bordering the south side of G.A.R. Park. The buildings have been surrounded by construction fencing for several weeks, and work is underway in both buildings. The Streeter school is further along, which is why visitors could tour it--with their mandatory hard hats and guides. Ben Hebert, the job supervisor from Commodore Builders, and Dorrie Brooks, the principal architect with Jones Whitsett Architects (www.joneswhitsett.com), showed the interested visitors around the very cold rooms, described the plans and answered questions. The Streeter School used its basement, which is half underground, for a cafeteria and other functions, and that level will be opened up to the light more by lowering the grade around the building and converted into apartments. The space between the buildings will be filled by a connecting addition.
For more information about the Montachusett Veterans Outreach Center and its programs, go to veterans-outreach.org.

The Streeter School about to be transformed
Photo by Inanna Arthen

The former cafeteria of the Streeter School
Photo by Inanna Arthen
BOS Holds Annual Tax Classification Hearing; Assessor Does Not Recommend Split Tax Rate for Town
At the Board of Selectmen's meeting on Monday, December 8, the Board convened the annual public hearing on the tax classification for the current fiscal year. Associate Regional Tax Assessor Robert W Heckman Jr. gave the presentation for the hearing. As Mr. Heckman said, "It's that time of year again for the tax classification hearing in which the Select Board makes a vote as to whether we maintain a single tax rate or opt for a split tax rate." (The topic of a split tax rate had recently been floated by a voter at Special Town Meeting who pointed out that many towns have a higher rate for commercial property than for residential, which helped take the burden off residential property owners. Winchendon has never had different rates for different classes.)
The discussion was quite technical and referred to a packet which the Courier has scanned into a PDF for any readers who would like to see it. You can access it at tax-classification-hearing-packet.pdf.
"Each year prior to the mailing of third quarter tax billings, the Select Board holds a public hearing to determine the percentage of the town's property tax levy to be borne by each major property class," Mr. Heckman said. Tonight, the Board needs to decide and vote on the "tax shift factor," meaning the percentage, if any, of the tax burden that will be shifted onto another class of property tax payer. A shift of 1.000 means all payers have the same tax rate. Mr. Heckman also explained what the town's total maximum allowable tax levy is for this fiscal year--$17,524,297--which is higher than it would normally be because of the Proposition 2-1/2 override.
On the question of going to a split rate, Mr. Heckman explained, "Right now, Winchendon currently sits at about 91.4 percent residential and 8.596 percent CIP. CIP is commercial, industrial and personal property. That also includes chapter land as well. So any type of split tax rate would have an effect on the farms as well in the community, they would not be included in the residential they would be included in the CIP, or commercial, industrial and personal property shift. ("Chapter land" refers to land enrolled in special tax programs (Chapter 61, 61A, 61B) that offer significant property tax reductions in exchange for owners committing to keeping the land undeveloped for forestry, agriculture, or open space/recreation.)
"Typically, when you'll see towns start to look into the option of a split tax rate, you're looking at about 35 percent commercial, industrial and personal property. If you see something that is on the lower end of that, it's typically a town that would have a really significant project on hand. For instance, Berlin, in the past, has elected for a split tax rate, but they also have Solomon Pond Mall. And when you take a town that small and the amount of parcels and residentials compared to something of that size, that's where you might not see the 35 percent because it's such a significant project."
Splitting the rate doesn't change the total dollar amount of the levy--it is not, in itself, a way of bringing in more revenue for the town. It simply changes the balance of how much of the levy is paid by whom.
"This year is a little different because of the override," Mr. Heckman said. "The town would have to elect a greater than 50 percent shift to keep a residential tax bill equal to last year, which is beyond significant. So as you can see, even in the lower section of the 1.5 shift, even at a $12 tax rate per $1000 for residential, the CIP would have to be increased to greater than $18.88 per $1000. We are currently still waiting to be approved by the [Massachusetts Department of Revenue] for an official tax rate, but the estimate that I have is typically good for plus or minus a cent. Last year, we're at $11.75. This year would be $12.59, is what we're projected for."
Board member Audrey LaBrie said that the projected New Growth revenue of $106,705 seemed like a small amount and asked how it compared to past years. Mr. Heckman said he didn't think it was unusually low, and it varied a lot, being based on specific projects.
Mr. Heckman said, "As the Assessor and as Chair for the Board of Assessors in town, we recommend that the Select Board adopt a residential shifts factor of 1.000 with a corresponding CIP factor of 1.000 thereby maintaining the relative shares of overall tax burden borne by the residential property owners in past years, based on the above assumptions and single tax rate. With the single tax rate, the estimated levy ultimately to be raised by town would be $17,513,241 with an excess levy capacity currently of $11,056."
No members of the public had any questions. The Board closed the hearing, and voted to "set the residential factor at 1.000 with a corresponding CIP shift of 1.000 pending certification of the town's annual tax recap by the Massachusetts Department of Revenue."
"Breakfast With Santa" Draws Crowds to Old Murdock on Saturday Dec 6

Photo copyright Winchendon Parks & Recreation

Photo copyright Winchendon Parks & Recreation
The Winchendon Parks & Recreation Event "Breakfast with Santa" filled the Old Murdock dining room to bursting on Saturday, December 6 as families showed up bright and early to enjoy a home-made breakfast and a number of holiday-themed activities. Community Outreach Coordinator Shaina Cunningham told the Courier that they estimated an attendance overall of more than 500 people.
Vounteers from Cornerstone Church cooked the breakfast of pancakes and sausage--and French toast, because the chefs ran out of pancake batter and had to get more and then improvise. Breakfast began serving at 8:30 a.m.
Along with the breakfast, children could meet with Santa. Family activities included "Letters to Santa" with a special mailbox ready to accept that very important mail, a face painting station which was very popular, a gingerbread decorating table, and crafts. The "Cookie Crawl" took participants around town with a decorated bakery box to collect cookies from businesses that volunteered to be part of the "crawl."
Ms. Cunningham told the Courier that around 75 people braved the cold temperatures to attend the tree-lighting and carol-singing at Grout Park the night before.

Photo by Inanna Arthen

Photo by Inanna Arthen

Photo by Inanna Arthen

Photo by Inanna Arthen
Winchendon American Legion Family Establishes The Winchendon Emergency Fund
The Winchendon Emergency Fund is a charitable initiative founded by the Winchendon American Legion Family, a community-focused organisation dedicated to supporting veterans, their families, and the broader Winchendon community. The fund has been created in response to the growing need for swift and effective help for individuals and families that are faced with those unexpected emergencies.
The primary mission of the Winchendon Emergency Fund is to provide immediate financial support and resources to Winchendon residents experiencing crises such as natural disasters, house fires, or other unforeseen disasters. By offering prompt aid, and funds to help alleviate the stress and uncertainty that often go with emergency situations.
Managed by members of the American Legion Family, the Winchendon Emergency Fund relies on community donations, fundraising events, and partnerships with local organisations. We all know when something happens in town everyone pulls together. Money will be available at once to help with housing, clothing, and food. Then eventually as the funds grow an applications process for more help will be added. This fund will also be used as a portal for specific disasters.
The Winchendon Emergency Fund will play a vital role in strengthening a safety net for residents of Winchendon. By fostering a spirit of solidarity and compassion, the fund not only helps individuals from disasters but also promotes a sense of community resilience that our town has showed many times.
The ongoing success of the Winchendon Emergency Fund depends on the generosity of local citizens, businesses, and volunteers. Those interested in contributing can participate in fundraising activities, make donations, or volunteer their time to help with outreach and support efforts. Every contribution helps ensure that the fund stays a reliable resource for Winchendon residents during times of need.
Our first big fundraising event is our "Denim & Diamonds" New Year's Eve party, which will be held at the Winchendon American Legion Post #193, 295 School St, on Wednesday, December 31 from 8:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m. We are looking for raffle items, table sponsors, and ticket sales. Tickets are $15 per person or $25 per couple with all proceeds going to support the Winchendon Emergency Fund. Tickets are available at https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/winchendon-emergency-fund-2
For more information about the Winchendon Emergency Fund, you may email walaunit193@gmail.com, or visit our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61575269596435.
Sen. Comerford Reschedules Online Town Hall to Monday, December 15
Senator Jo Comerford has rescheduled her virtual Town Hall, to be held on Zoom, after postponing it while accessibility accommodations were improved. She writes,
The rescheduled date for our online Town Hall is Monday, December 15 at 6:00 p.m.
I will offer timely updates, and there will be ample time to hear your feedback and answer questions.
Registration is required. Sign up at https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/FK-HIeitRPC6Uy-NhKNhiA#/registration.
A reminder to keep hold of the registration confirmation email--it contains your unique link to join the Zoom on December 15.
Since we last connected in a Town Hall a little over a year ago, much has changed--in our communities, our Commonwealth, and our nation.
In my newsletters, I write about how state government can (and must) serve as both a line of defense and a line of offense for our people, always guided by the values that define Massachusetts.
There is nothing stronger than an informed, engaged, and active public. Nothing.
That's why one of my most important responsibilities as an elected official who works for you is reminding all of us (myself included) of our collective power, agency, and responsibility to stay tuned in and steadfast.
So let's come together as one big sprawling community of 175,000 people on December 15 at 6:00 p.m. for a conversation. Together, we'll reflect on the work we've been doing, discuss how we can strengthen our lines of offense and defense, and recommit to building the future that the Hampshire, Franklin, Worcester district (and the Commonwealth) deserve.
American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation, as well as English live transcription (subtitles) and translated captions will be available.
If you can't make it on Monday evening, don't worry! The Town Hall will be recorded and shared online for those who are unable to attend, and we'll hold another Town Hall in the new year.
If you have any accessibility concerns, please contact Director of Communications and Engagement Katelyn Billings at katelyn.billings@masenate.gov.




