Candidates for Town Election, May 5, 2025

The following citizens will be on the ballot 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)
Michael Gaynor (Write-in)
Greg Vine (Write-in)

School Committee, 1-year unexpired term (1 seat)
Tara Teixeira

Board of Health (1 seat)
Glenn LaRochelle

Town Moderator (1 seat)
Glenn LaRochelle
Rick Ward (Write-in)

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"

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 10
12:42-3:41 a.m.: building checks, all secure;
12:54 a.m.: extra patrols (Front Street), checked/secure;
1:04 a.m.: MV stop (Spring Street), MV towed/result of private tow;
4:26 a.m.: 911, suicide threats (address not published), removed to hospital;
6:12 a.m.: 911, MV operating erratically (Spring Street), referred to other P.D.;
7:43 a.m.: animal complaint (Mill Glen Road), referred to other agency;
7:46 a.m.: investigation (Central Street), report taken;
8:58 a.m.: MV stop (Spring Street), verbal warning;
9:36 a.m.: MV stop (Gardner Road), written warning;
10:06 a.m.: assist other agency (West Street), spoken to;
10:29 a.m.: animal complaint (Webster Street), referred to ACO;
10:46 a.m.: animal complaint (Pearl Drive), referred to ACO;
11:01 a.m.: fraud (Ash Street), report taken;
11:17 a.m.: sex offender registration (Walnut Street), spoken to;
3:06 p.m.: MV operating erratically (River Street), unable to locate;
3:19 p.m.: welfare check/general (Ready Drive), spoken to;
4:43 p.m.: fire/carbon monoxide incident (School Street), services rendered;
4:57 p.m.: traffic hazard (Central Street), unable to locate;
7:04 p.m.: suspicious person (Alger Street), no police service necessary;
7:18 p.m.: MV operating erratically (Washington Avenue), spoken to;
8:10 p.m.: MV operating erratically (River Street @ Front Street), unable to locate;
10:19 p.m.: 911, ambulance needed (Walnut Street), removed to hospital;
10:26 p.m.: investigation (Central Street), investigated/report taken;
11:34 p.m.: 911, ambulance needed (Alger Street), removed to hospital;

SATURDAY APRIL 12
12:26 a.m.: fire alarm (Central Street), services rendered;
1:25-3:05 a.m.: building checks, all secure;
2:20 a.m.: MV stop (Maple Street), checked/secure;
2:42 a.m.: suspicious person (Central Street), spoken to;
9:33 a.m.: 911, ambulance needed (High Street), removed to hospital;
10:30 a.m.: property damage (West Street), referred to DPW;
1:10 p.m.: investigation (Washington Avenue) spoken to;
2:01 p.m.: property damage (Alger Street), report taken;
4:35 p.m.: disabled vehicle (Spring Street), no cause for complaint;
6:23 p.m.: 911, ambulance needed (Central Street), removed to hospital;
6:47 p.m.: MV stop (Gardner Road), verbal warning;
7:58 p.m.: MV stop (Spring Street), written warning;
8:06 p.m.: MV stop (Spring Street), verbal warning;
8:11 p.m.: MV stop (School Street), verbal warning;
8:29 p.m.: MV stop (Baldwinville State Road), verbal warning;
8:36 p.m.: extra patrols (Otter River Campground, Baldwinville State Road), checked/secure;
9:54 p.m.: extra patrols (Winchendon Community Park, Ingleside Drive), checked/secure;
11:02 p.m.: 911, ambulance needed (Lincoln Avenue), removed to hospital;

SUNDAY APRIL 13
3:14 a.m.: welfare check/general (School Street), unable to locate;
9:47 a.m.: ambulance needed (Brown Street), removed to hospital;
10:15 a.m.: 911, 911 hang-up (Gardner Road), 911 non-emergency call;
10:50 a.m.: unwanted party (Pleasant Street), services rendered;
11:01 a.m.: 911, ambulance needed (Mill Glen Road), removed to hospital;
4:56 p.m.: officer requested (Grove Street), no police service necessary;
5:55 p.m.: 911, ambulance needed (Phyllis Road), removed to hospital;
7:54 p.m.: 911, 911 call non-emergency (Main Street), no police service necessary;
7:59 p.m.: 911, officer requested (Central Street), report taken;
8:10 p.m.: burglar alarm (Maple Street), secured building;
8:30 p.m.: extra patrols (Ingleside Drive), area search negative;
8:34 p.m.: extra patrols (Pine Street), info taken;
9:37 p.m.: 911, ambulance needed (Peggi Lane), removed to hospital;

MONDAY APRIL 14
1:44 a.m.: extra patrols (Winchendon Community Park, Ingleside Drive), checked/secure;
1:47-3:14 a.m.: building checks, all secure; 1:51 a.m.: extra patrols (Citgo Lube and Repair, Water Street), checked/secure;
2:09 a.m.: extra patrols (Winchendon Housing Authority, Pearl Drive), checked/secure;
2:20 a.m.: extra patrols (Goodrich Street), checked/secure;
3:23 a.m.: MV stop (Spring Street), verbal warning;
5:18 a.m.: fire alarm (Phyllis Road), services rendered;
5:48 a.m.: animal complaint (Hale Street), referred to ACO;
8:00 a.m.: animal complaint (Northern Heights Drive), referred to ACO;
9:05 a.m.: 911, ambulance needed (West Street), removed to hospital;
9:31 a.m.: summons service (Belmont Avenue), summons served;
10:03 a.m.: summons service (Happy Hollow Road), unable to serve;
10:22 a.m.: disabled vehicle (Spring Street), assisted;

10:25 a.m.: assist other agency (Hale Street @ Main Street), assisted;
10:27 a.m.: registration check (Webster Street), info given;
11:13 a.m.: MV stop (School Street @ West Street), verbal warning;
11:38 a.m.: disabled vehicle (Elmwood Road @ Central Street), assisted;
11:51 a.m.: assist other police department (Templeton), assisted;
11:55 a.m.: ambulance needed (Woodlawn Avenue), services rendered;
12:25 p.m.: 911, 911 call non-emergency (Hyde Park Drive), report taken;
1:23 p.m.: registration check (Central Street), info given;
1:27 p.m.: suspicious person (School Square), spoken to;
1:38 p.m.: animal rescue (Mellen Road), referred to ACO;
2:41 p.m.: 911, ambulance needed (Robbins Road), services rendered;
3:43 p.m.: wires down (Cummins Road @ Old County Road), referred to other agency;
4:10 p.m.: MV stop (Spring Street), written warning;
4:58 p.m.: officer requested (High Street), info taken;
5:02 p.m.: summons service (Happy Hallow Road), summons served;
5:22 p.m.: MV operating erratically (Main Street), unable to locate;
7:50 p.m.: extra patrols (Pine Street), info taken;
9:19 p.m.: 911, fire/automatic box alarm (Hyde Park Drive), services rendered;
9:31 p.m.: 911, officer requested (LeBreton Circle), no cause for complaint;

TUESDAY APRIL 15
1:42 a.m.: extra patrols (Winchendon Community Park, Ingleside Drive), checked/secure;
1:45-2:37 a.m.: building checks, all secure;
1:49 a.m.: animal complaint (Central Street), spoken to;
1:50 a.m.: MV stop (Spring Street), verbal warning;
2:03 a.m.: extra patrols (Citgo Lube and Repair, Water Street), checked/secure;
2:20 a.m.: extra patrols (Summer Drive), checked/secure;
2:33 a.m.: extra patrols (Citgo Lube and Repair, Water Street), checked/secure;
7:00 a.m.: animal complaint (Pleasant Street), referred to ACO;
9:00 a.m.: 911, ambulance needed (Cabot Road), removed to hospital;
9:04 a.m.: 911, Section 12 (address not published), assisted;
10:11 a.m.: larceny (High Street), report taken;
11:26 a.m.: MV stop (Ash Street @ Toy Town Lane), verbal warning;
11:30 a.m.: MV stop (Gardner Road), written warning;
12:25 p.m.: patrol (Central Street), checked/secure;
12:31 p.m.: assist other agency (Spring Street), assisted;
12:36 p.m.: animal content (Brown Street), referred to ACO;
2:25 p.m.: Fire Department call/general (Teel Road), services rendered;
4:20 p.m.: officer requested (Front Street), spoken to;
5:37 p.m.: 911, ambulance needed (North Royalston Road), removed to hospital;
6:48 p.m.: Section 12 (address not published), removed to hospital;
7:52 p.m.: 911, officer requested (Ipswich Drive), unable to locate;
8:25 p.m.: 911, MV operating erratically (Court Street), report taken;
8:48 p.m.: MV operating erratically (Spring Street), services rendered;
10:22 p.m.: stolen vehicle (Baldwinville Road), report taken;
11:54 p.m.: 911, disabled vehicle (North Royalston Road), MV towed/result of private tow;

WEDNESDAY APRIL 16
12:51 a.m.: extra patrols (Winchendon Community Park, Ingleside Drive), checked/secure;
1:10 a.m.: extra patrols (Citgo Lube and Repair, Water Street), checked/secure;
1:12 a.m.: MV stop (Spring Street), spoken to;
1:18-3:11 a.m.: building checks, all secure;
1:26 a.m.: extra patrols (Railroad Street), checked/secure;
3:01 a.m.: investigation (Pine Street), info taken;
6:41 a.m.: MV stop (Spring Street), verbal warning;
9:00 a.m.: sex offender registration (Walnut Street), spoken to;
9:21 a.m.: burglary / breaking & entering (Brown Street), investigated/report taken;
10:41 a.m.: 911, road rage (Gardner Road), report taken;
10:46 a.m.: MV stop (Front Street), verbal warning;
10:54 a.m.: info/general (Baldwinville Road), spoken to;
11:27 a.m.: MV stop (Spring Street), traffic citation issued;
2:35 p.m.: welfare check/general (Glenallen Street), no cause for complaint;
5:24 p.m.: animal complaint (Spring Street), info taken;
5:49 p.m.: 911, MV operating erratically (Glenallen Street), spoken to;
6:22 p.m.: officer requested (Lakeshore Drive), spoken to;
6:40 p.m.: MV stop (Ingleside Drive), verbal warning;
6:45 p.m.: MV stop (Central Street), verbal warning;
6:50 p.m.: MV stop (Maple Street), verbal warning;
9:09 p.m.: MV stop (Spring Street), verbal warning;
9:16 p.m.: MV stop (Spring Street), verbal warning;
10:02 p.m.: MV stop (Front Street @ Lake Street), verbal warning;
10:06 p.m.: MV stop (River Street), spoken to;