Join the Winchendon Commission on Disability to Help Create Change!

Empowering Voices: Your role in advocacy matters
Become a part of our community and make a difference in the lives of individuals with disabilities through active participation and support.

Why Join Us?
Collaborate with like-minded advocates and share your insights to inform policies that create a more inclusive sociaty for everyone.

Meetings on the first Thursday of each month at 4:30 p.m. at The HUB/Winchendon CAC, 5 Summer Drive.

If you're interested in joining or have any questions, please email winchendoncod@gmail.com.

What Winchendon offers:

• Clark Memorial YMCA play area is fenced in and provides a playset swing. Indoor pool has an automated swim chair.
• Winchendon History and Cultural Center provides an alternate ramp to the entrance.
• Beals Memorial Library has a certified Autism Friendly Initiative and provides elevator access.
• Town Hall provides elevator access.
• Winchendon Community Park offers wheelchair accessible tables and handicap parking.
• Wheelchair accessibility throughout the Winchendon CAC and The HUB.
• Winchendon Public Schools provide ADA accessibility throughout the district.
• Parent & Professional Advocacy League family support meetings held monthly.
• Murdock Middle High School and Heywood Healthcare offer an on-site student/staff clinic at MMHS.
• UU Church of Winchendon offers a wheelchair lift and is ADA accessible for public events, concerts and biweekly community suppers
• Town continues ongoing grant-funded replacement and improvement of sidewalks and crossings with curb cuts and ADA accessible design
• Town provides live CART captioning service at Annual and Special Town Meetings.
• ...and more!

Please complete the community survey to share your needs, and consider joining the Commission! Access the survey at: https://forms.gle/vySfVpABwXKxNPSg6

Sponsor a Brick to Support Veterans' Housing!

The Massachusetts Veterans Outreach Center (MVOC) is inviting you to sponsor a brick at the Winchendon Veterans Housing expansion project in memory of a fallen veteran or to recognize the service of a soldier or veteran in your life. You can also sponsor a brick with the name of your business or organization. If you have questions about what to engrave, contact info@veterans-outreach.org.

A 4 x 8 inch brick is $100, and a 8 x 8 inch brick is $250. To order a brick, go to https://polarengraving.com/veteransoutreach?fbclid=iwy2xjawexqw1lehrua2flbqixmqabhbqcqvnybbv1-ox_1hingn_nrqnexxzbrbdl-ddvd8n_wqzevm_bzbtbwq_aem_lppmpvyzvgabseiedcw8oq

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/documentcenter/view/226, 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/506/QUESTIONS-COMMENTS-FOR-THE-TOWN-MANAGER

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, 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	Board of Health 10:00am Communications Committee 4:30pm	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

Free Kids Sports & Arts Clinic on January 19

On Monday, January 19, The Winchendon School will present a free Sports & Arts Clinic for kids age 6 to 13. The clinic will be held at The Winchendon School, 172 Ash Street, from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Lunch will be included! Families can choose one of five options: Hockey; Baseball; Basketball; Arts & Crafts; Musical Theatre.

Registration is required. Register online at www.the-hub.org/event-details/kids-sports-arts-clinic-january-19-2026. For more information, email thehub@winchendon-cac.org or call the Winchendon CAC at 978-297-1667 (Wednesday through Saturday 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.).

Toy Town Trolley Now Running Later on Saturdays!

We've expanded service hours to help more Winchendon residents--especially those in need of transportation to warming centers, shelters, and essential services.

New Saturday Hours are 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Book ahead! Saturday rides must be scheduled by 3:00 p.m. on Friday.

Door-to-door rides within Winchendon are available for:

Medical appointments

Grocery shopping

Shelter and warming center access

Pharmacy trips

And more

Call (978) 297-3155 or email communityconnector@winchendon-cac.org.

Prefer to book with your phone? Download the Community Connector app at https://www.townofwinchendon.com/577/Get-the-App

Let your neighbors know! This expanded schedule helps ensure safe, reliable transportation for those who need it most--especially during colder weather.

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).

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 October 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.

Agricultural Commission - 1 vacancy, 3 alternate vacancies
Board of Health - 1 vacancy
Communication Committee - 1 vacancy
Cultural Council - 12 vacancies
Fence Viewer and Field Driver - 1 vacancy
Historical District Commission - 1 alternate vacancy
Parks & Recreation Commission - 1 vacancy
Planning Board - 1 vacancy Winchendon Commission on Disabilities - 1 vacancy
Zoning Board of Appeals - 1 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/DocumentCenter/View/440/Selectmen-Appointed-Boards-and-Committees-July-2024-PDF (PDF).

THURSDAY JANUARY 8
1:57-3:20 a.m.: building checks, all secure;
5:52 a.m.: threats (Goodrich Drive), info taken;
7:11 a.m.: 911, ambulance needed (High Street), removed to hospital;
8:53 a.m.: ambulance needed (High Street), removed to hospital;
11:33 a.m.: MV stop (Main Street), verbal warning;
11:45 a.m.: sex offender registration (Central Street), assisted;
11:59 a.m.: welfare check/elderly (address not published), assisted;
12:04 p.m.: 911, ambulance needed (Sibley Road), removed to hospital;
12:59 p.m.: fire alarm (North Royalston Road), services rendered;
1:18 p.m.: 911, 911 call non-emergency (North Royalston Road), 911 non-emergency call;
2:41 p.m.: officer requested (Baldwinville Road), spoken to;
2:48 p.m.: recovered property (Leominster, Crisci Street), property returned to owner;
4:25 p.m.: larceny (Spring Street), report taken;
4:52 p.m.: investigation (Colonial Lane), investigated/report taken;
5:03 p.m.: 911, ambulance needed (Front Street), assisted;
5:51 p.m.: animal complaint (Town Farm Road), no police service necessary;
6:16 p.m.: 911, ambulance needed (Maple Street), removed to hospital;
7:14 p.m.: 911, ambulance needed (Baldwinville State Road), services rendered;
10:08 p.m.: registration check (Spring Street), checked/secure;

SATURDAY JANUARY 10
2:02-3:26 a.m.: building checks, all secure;
7:33 a.m.: 911, Department of Public Works call/general (Glenallen Street), referred to DPW;
8:09 a.m.: 911, ambulance needed (Maple Street), report taken;
9:41 a.m.: 911, ambulance needed (Central Street), removed to hospital;
10:02 a.m.: harassment (Benjamin Street), spoken to;
11:27 a.m.: 911, fight (Spring Street), gone on arrival;
11:37 a.m.: MV stop (Gardner Road), verbal warning;
11:41 a.m.: disabled vehicle (Gardner Road), spoken to;
11:54 a.m.: vandalism (Forristall Road), report taken;
12:03 p.m.: officer requested (Walnut Street), spoken to;
12:52 p.m.: 911, CO detector activation (North Royalston Road), no fire service necessary;
2:30 p.m.: 911, burglar alarm (Memorial Drive), checked/secure;
3:24 p.m.: disabled vehicle (Spring Street), info taken;
6:28 p.m.: warrant arrest (Gardner Road), arrest;
7:39 p.m.: MV stop (Central Street), verbal warning;
9:27 p.m.: property damage (Spring Street), info taken;
9:55 p.m.: suspicious vehicle (Spring Street), verbal warning;

Arrests:
Dale A Mitchell, age 62, 34 Concord Rd, Westford, MA, charged with: arrest based on a warrant;

SUNDAY JANUARY 11
1:35- a.m.: building checks, all secure;
1:35 a.m.: extra patrols (Winchendon Community Park, Ingleside Drive), checked/secure;
1:55 a.m.: suspicious vehicle (Main Street), checked/secure;
2:17 a.m.: extra patrols (Winchendon Housing Authority, Pearl Drive), checked/secure;
5:30 a.m.: 911, ambulance needed (Central Street), removed to hospital;
11:38 a.m.: disturbance (Brown Street), report taken;
11:38 a.m.: suspicious vehicle (Front Place), report taken;
1:27 p.m.: officer requested (Joslin Road), services rendered;
1:33 p.m.: MV operating erratically (Gardner Road), unable to locate;
1:56 p.m.: 911, MV accident with injuries (Mill Glen Road @ Baldwinville State Road), removed to hospital;
4:10 p.m.: suspicious vehicle (Central Street), spoken to;
4:25 p.m.: 911, ambulance needed (Front Street), rem oved to hospital;
4:49 p.m.: info/general (Brown Street), info taken;
5:55 p.m.: 911, MV operating erratically (Gardner Road), info taken;
7:31 p.m.: MV stop (Gardner Road), traffic citation issued;
10:02 p.m.: investigation (Spring Street), info taken;

MONDAY JANUARY 12
12:11-2:51 a.m.: building checks, all secure;
12:50 a.m.: extra patrols (Winchendon Community Park, Ingleside Drive), checked/secure;
1:15 a.m.: 911, ambulance needed (Spruce Street), removed to hospital;
6:34 a.m.: MV stop (Spring Street), verbal warning;

9:46 a.m.: 911, ambulance needed (Madison Avenue), removed to hospital;
9:58 a.m.: tree down on wires (Old County Road), referred to other agency;
10:11 a.m.: MV operating erratically (Spring Street), verbal warning;
12:26 p.m.: 911, ambulance needed (Brown Avenue), removed to hospital;
12:33 p.m.: 911, ambulance needed (Highland Street), removed to hospital;
12:44 p.m.: assist other agency (Robbins Road), unable to serve;
2:02 p.m.: Keep The Peace (Hitchcock Road), spoken to;
2:13 p.m.: disabled vehicle (Mill Circle), no police service necessary;
3:23 p.m.: Department of Public Works call/general (South Royalston Road @ Sibley Road), referred to DPW;
4:15 p.m.: property lost (Central Street), info taken;
4:35 p.m.: MV stop (Gardner Road), verbal warning;
4:46 p.m.: MV stop (Gardner Road), verbal warning;
5:18 p.m.: info/general (Central Street), info taken;
5:37 p.m.: extra patrols (Glenallen Street), info taken;
6:05 p.m.: officer requested (Brown Street), spoken to;
6:19 p.m.: officer requested (School Street), spoken to;
6:27 p.m.: officer requested (other town, West Road), spoken to;
7:11 p.m.: info/general (East Street), info given;
8:26 p.m.: open door/window/gate (Central Street), advised officer;
8:55 p.m.: traffic enforcement (Glenallen Street), checked/secure;
9:39 p.m.: MV stop (Spring Street), verbal warning;
9:54 p.m.: missing person (Brown Street), investigated/report taken;
10:05 p.m.: MV stop (Gardner Road), verbal warning;
10:20 p.m.: MV stop (Gardner Road), verbal warning;
11:04 p.m.: 911, ambulance needed (Central Street), removed to hospital;

TUESDAY JANUARY 13
1:13-4:41 a.m.: building checks, all secure;
6:55 a.m.: 911, accident (Baldwinville State Road), report taken;
8:11 a.m.: burglary / breaking & entering (Spring Street), report taken;
10:56 a.m.: harassment (West Street), report taken;
11:20 a.m.: investigation (Central Street), spoken to;
1:03 p.m.: investigation (Webster Street), services rendered;
3:27 p.m.: harassment (Pearl Drive), referred to court;
4:02 p.m.: investigation (Mill Glen Road), services rendered;
4:27 p.m.: MV stop (Gardner Road), verbal warning;
5:46 p.m.: disabled vehicle (Glenallen Street), advised officer;
5:58 p.m.: 911, accident (Spring Street), unable to locate;
7:44 p.m.: traffic enforcement (Baldwinville State Road), services rendered;
7:50 p.m.: MV stop (Gardner Road), verbal warning;
8:04 p.m.: disabled vehicle (Gardner Road), spoken to;
8:16 p.m.: traffic enforcement (Glenallen Street), checked/secure;
8:50 p.m.: MV stop (Baldwinville State Road), verbal warning;
9:11 p.m.: welfare check/general (Alger Street), spoken to;
10:11 p.m.: accident (Brown Avenue), report taken;
10:46 p.m.: property found (Spring Street), info taken;

WEDNESDAY JANUARY 14
12:38-2:57 a.m.: building checks, all secure;
12:53 a.m.: suspicious vehicle (Glenallen Street), checked/secure;
5:43 a.m.: burglar alarm (Murdock Avenue), checked/secure;
9:08 a.m.: extra patrols (Baldwinville State Road), no cause for complaint;
9:36 a.m.: summons service (Central Street), summons served;
10:46 a.m.: Fire Department call/general (Woodlawn Street), services rendered;
10:58 a.m.: welfare check/general (Ash Street), services rendered;
12:04 p.m.: assist other police department (Phillipston, Highland Avenue), assisted;
12:24 p.m.: suspicious (other) (Brown Avenue), spoken to;
12:40 p.m.: Keep The Peace (Benjamin Street), assisted;
12:43 p.m.: assist other police department (Mechanic Street), spoken to;
4:39 p.m.: attempt to locate (Brown Street), unable to locate;
5:33 p.m.: assist other police department (Phillipston, Highland Avenue), assisted;
6:12 p.m.: attempt to serve warrant (Polly's Drive), summons served;
6:16 p.m.: disabled vehicle (Glenallen Street), MV towed/result of private tow;
6:23 p.m.: MV stop (Spring Street @ Lake Street), spoken to;
6:45 p.m.: MV stop (Baldwinville State Road), verbal warning;
7:10 p.m.: assist other police department (Phillipston, Highland Avenue), assisted;
10:25 p.m.: welfare check/general (Hall Road), area search negative;
11:02 p.m.: Fire Department call/general (Sunny Cove Road), services rendered;
11:17 p.m.: extra patrols (Ash Street), area search negative;