The Winchendon Courier
Serving the community since 1878 ~ A By Light Unseen Media publication
Week of April 25 to May 2, 2024
What makes Winchendon what it is...How we're making Winchendon even better

If you're looking for last week's article about the Wyndonshire Renaissance Fair, it can now be found at http://winchendoncourier.net/archives/2024-04-25/index.html

Town Elections

Monday, May 6 -- 8:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Old Murdock Senior Center, 51 Murdock Ave., second floor
Sample Ballot (PDF)

Annual Town Meeting

Monday, May 20 -- 7:00 p.m.
Murdock Middle High School Auditorium, 3 Memorial Dr.

Annual Town Meeting Warrant with Finance Committee Recommendations (PDF)

Links to Related Information

BOS Hear More Serious Concerns from Citizens About Landfill Capping Operation

Residents Want to Know What's Really in That Landfill


At their meeting on Monday, April 22, the Board of Selectmen included an agenda item titled "Update on Mabardy Landfill/W.L. French Operations." Board Chair Audrey LaBrie stated that this item was to discuss "new information or new questions," adding, "It is not within the purview of the Board of Selectmen to make decisions on these. But we welcome the public comment. And if there's something that needs to be passed on, we will certainly make sure that it gets to the right people."

Board Vice Chair Rick Ward said that he wanted to comment on things said at the March 25 BOS meeting concerning potential toxicity of the old landfill contents--what was found in the test holes that had been dug. Referring to the Courier's citing Jarrett Everton, Director of Environmental Services for W.L. French, in saying that "a battery" was found, Mr. Ward said he went back to reports by W.L. French from 2022. "Just to show that they were reporting this stuff to the state. An additional test pit investigation was performed on October 17 and 19, 2022 to investigate the presence of demolition waste debris beyond the approved final closure limit. 12 test pits were excavated and observed by [Civil & Environmental Consultants Inc.] personnel that were approximately six feet by twelve feet and advanced to a maximum depth of eighteen feet. Debris was observed in test pits that included brick, asphalt, concrete, and auto batteries. So just wanted to point out that little thing, saying it was 'a battery' that was found. There were more batteries found."

Resident Jane LaPointe rose to ask about testing of the capping fill material. "Back on May 28 2020, Keith Hickey was Town Manager and there was a landfill closure agreement between the town of Winchendon and 580 River Street. And one of the items on that said that all fill will be tested at the site that the fill is taken from to ensure it meets all DEP requirements. And in addition, all fill being delivered to the River Street site will be tested on site to ensure the material meets all DEP requirements." In the minutes of the BOS meeting of June 1, 2020, Ms. LaPointe said, "it says that Mass DEP Representative Jim McQuaid has stipulated that the type of fill is important and that every vehicle loaded up with fill will be tested by the company selling the fill and then tested by a town representative upon arriving at the job site. This fill is required to meet all the EPA requirements for allowable fill regarding a landfill. If fill is not accepted for these guidelines, it will be rejected and will not be allowed to come on site." This is not the procedure being followed, Ms. Lapointe said, asking how and why it was changed.

Resident Frank Allen rose to emphasize what Ms. LaPointe had just said. Back in 2019, citizens were told that every truck would be tested; now it's every 500 cubic feet, which is one out of 17 trucks, he said. "This is a huge difference from every truck. It also stipulated that there was funding for it. We were expecting the town representative to be there regularly." Mr. Allen also pointed out that Mr. Hickey met with the W.L. French people privately and negotiated terms, which were distributed to the town Boards via their confidential Dropbox. "Now, is that proper? Is one person in this town allowed to make a financial negotiation like that?" he asked. "I'd like to see what what type of deal he struck."

Mr. Allen continued that the scope of the capping project overall has tripled, from 400,000 tons of fill to over 1.5 million. The contract should have been re-negotiated.

Mr. Allen then went over some history of the landfill which he obtained from DEP records, which he said he had not known. In 1976, he said, Mr. Mabardy opened the landfill with permission from the town of Winchendon. In 1984, the state shut down the landfill, saying it was illegal. The state gave Mr. Mabardy 30 days to come up with a plan, and he did not. In December, 1985, the landfill was closed for three violations: going above the allowed elevation, expanding two acres outside the approved area, and operating past the mandatory shut-down date of June 21, 1985. In 1986, Mr. Allen went on, the state DEP suggests that the illegally dumped two acres of construction debris be moved, consolidated with the previous dump, and six acres would be capped. "The town of Winchendon put a stop to that. Your state overrules it. The town appeals the state has no authority and the capping is not done," Mr. Allen said.

Mr. Allen said that his house was built in 2003 and he wouldn't have bought it had he known what was in his back yard. Now the landfill cap covers 14 acres instead of 6. "Why is nobody being held accountable for this?" he asked. There is supposed to be a $500 per day fine for non-compliance; if the project becomes a nuisance it's supposed to be stopped. "It just makes me want to dig and dig and dig and ask more questions."

Resident Mary Harrington rose to say that the people of Winchendon don't want to be "trash town" and don't want an epidemic of cancer in 20 or 30 years. "There's dumping, there's major violations and you have the power to cease it. We have the power to cease it."

Resident and former Chair of the Board of Health Keith Kent rose to describe his own observations during a visit to the landfill capping site in December, 2023. Then Town Manager Justin Sultzbach called him in his capacity as BOH Chair to meet out on River Street along with other town Board members and representives of W.L. French to view "discoveries made at the River Street project." Mr. Kent emphasized that Mr. French "followed the book" and immediately reported what the workers were finding in the ground to Mass DEP.

At the meeting on site, "Mr. French was there as well as several employees who dug for us a test site hole to show us in disclosure, what was being found in the ground," Mr. Kent said. "I, to my surprise...was the only one that brought a camera to take photos. And thank God I did because there's stuff in these photos that are not in those reports." Showing the photos to the Board, Mr. Kent described them--"Asbestos shingles, all through the ground...the ground full of rebar everywhere. Here's another photo of the test pit, rebar concentrated everywhere, rebar all through the photos. Rebar again all through the test pit sticking out. The rebar was so concentrated that when the gentleman from French, who with his best effort, credit to him, tried to dig up some more of the hole to dig deeper for us, when the gentleman tried to dig the hole, it pulled this excavator off the ground like it didn't weigh ten pounds, put his back wheels up in the air."

Mr. Kent stated that he asked Mr. French directly about batteries in the debris. He quoted Mr. French as responding, "Mr. Kent, they are throughout the entire site." Mr. Kent continued, "I said, what is this blackened earth I'm pointing to? And he said it was all years and years of battery acid being absorbed into the ground. Again, I asked him that question for all points of integrity in front of everybody. And those were his words, not mine. Now that being said, we have an entire test site of battery acid...I just showed you pictures of asbestos shingles all throughout the ground, which are not in the report on the town website, or at least not on the report from 2020, late 2022. We have rebar all through the ground on the test site that are not in those reports from late 2022, and I didn't see them anywhere in 2023."

Mr. Kent continued, "What else is not in these reports that is in the ground? I ask the citizens of Winchendon." This material, such as battery acid, was going to leach into the ground, impacting the Millers River, the Birch Hill Wildlife Management Area, eventually the Connecticut River. Mr. Kent asked why the town had not been informed of this much earlier. "This was ecological terrorism on our town," he said, over decades of Mabardy management of the site. Why have there been no fines or charges? Mr. Kent concluded that the landfill should have "an impermeable liner" entirely around it paid for by Mr. Mabardy.

Resident Marie McKinnon rose to say that she often heard town Boards complain that citizens don't get involved until it's too late. "I know myself and quite a few others have come about the French capping of the landfill as well as any of their operations. We were here in 2019. And we were told that the DEP said that it's got to be closed. And they said specifically at that time, they were only asking for 40 trucks a day. Then it got increased to 65. And by Board members, we were told, just let it increase. It'll get over quicker." She went on, "We feel that this Board and all the Boards should do all their due diligence and cease and desist all operations, until all documentations can be compiled and looked over and reviewed fully...since you have access to everything."

Mr. Allen rose again to comment on Mr. Kent's report of rebar in the landfill, saying he was told it wasn't a concern. "I have been saying from the very beginning that the rebar in the concrete has been exposed and viewable. We all saw it when we went down and did the tour on site with Chuck Mabardy. And we were looking at it and somebody made a joke about it, and he said, 'Oh, yeah, you should see what else is in there.'" But if it was visible, why was it only found during test hole digging now, resulting in the capping area being enlarged? Mr. Allen also spoke about a new retention pond on the property, about 500 by 70 feet when it's raining, asking what's in that water which is running right toward his yard? "You're gonna have to charge me for waterfront, right now this water is overflowing into my property," he said.

Resident David Watkins rose to say that the town needs a plan. The Boards need to get together, Mass DEP needs to come in, real solutions need to be found, and citizens can't afford to pay for all of the impacts themselves. "This is big business involved here now," he said.

Mr. Everton rose to respond to some of the concerns that had been raised. He repeated his updates to the ZBA the previous week (see "Citizens Crowd Continued ZBA Hearing on Gravel Pit Permit at 580 River Street", below). He insisted that he had not seen multiple car batteries. "Max I would say there's probably six batteries on that property. It's not a case where it's littered with batteries. It's a [concrete and demolition] landfill. That's what it was permitted, it's not a trash landfill. You guys have a trash landfill. It's down the street from this one. That landfill is actually a lot more concerning than what goes into this landfill. This landfill is not a toxic landfill, there might be a couple of batteries that are scattered in the property. And they're likely from equipment that was on the property, not from material that was brought in."

Mr. Everton continued that the capping itself is an impermeable barrier, as Mr. Kent said was needed, and it would not allow material to leach out. The soils around the landfill and the water are being tested regularly. He added that materials such as asphalt shingles, rebar, drywall and concrete are "what's supposed to be in there."

Asked when the capping was going to be finished, Mr. Everton said, "That's kind of the million dollar question. But we don't anticipate it going on any longer. I think we're looking at probably 14 months or less, at the current rates that we're taking in right now" bringing in the COMM-97 fill. The actual capping will take another year, so it would be done in 2026.

Ms. McKinnon rose to comment on the discrepancies in what residents were hearing "that need to be investigated." Are there one battery, six batteries or hundreds of batteries? She also commented that the gravel operation involves blasting, which can disrupt water flows, the water table and aquifer, and completely change calculations. She stated that the past permits for the old landfill say that it contains ABC materials--asphalt, brick and concrete--not C & D materials only. She added that things like the wheel wash and road paving only happened after residents had brought complaints to the town Boards. The town should have been following up and checking, and if there was non-compliance, there should have been penalties.

Mr. Everton concluded the discussion by saying that both groundwater and wells are being tested and no contaminants, from batteries or anything else, have been found in the water.

For previous Courier coverage of the landfill capping, see:

"Residents Raise More Questions in Continued Debate About W.L. French Landfill Capping" in the March 28-April 4, 2024 edition of the Winchendon Courier

"Citizens Pack BOS Meeting in Beals Auditorium Looking for Answers about W.L. French Landfill Capping on River Street" in the February 29-March 7, 2024 edition of the Winchendon Courier



Citizens Crowd Continued ZBA Hearing on Gravel Pit Permit at 580 River Street

Board Renews Special Permit for Gravel Quarry for 10 Years with New Conditions


On Wednesday, April 17, the Zoning Board of Appeals resumed the hearing continued from their meeting on Wednesday, March 20 at the Old Murdock Senior Center, to consider "the application for a Special Permit Renewal Application submitted by the applicant Civil & Environmental Consultants, Inc. for property located at River Street, owned by 580 River Street, LLC. Also known as Assessors Map 4, Parcels 61, 108, 109 and Map 4C Parcel 2 Winchendon, MA 01475. Applicant is seeking a Special Permit Renewal and Modification to the existing special permit to renew the existing permit to continue the pre-existing non-conforming earth removal operation. Also request for increase of allowable hauling vehicle trips per day from 64 to 75." Many citizens attended the meeting to voice concerns about the impact of the ongoing operation on the neighborhood, the environment and the town's quality of life.

The "earth removal operation" is a stone, gravel and sand quarry, or pit, that has been in operation since at least 1958 and possibly before the 1930s, and involves excavating, and sometimes blasting, natural material from the ground, loading it into trucks and transporting it away from the site. The operation is non-conforming because it existed before the current Zoning Bylaws were established in 1958.

A 39-page document including the history of the operation may be downloaded or read at https://www.townofwinchendon.com/sites/g/files/vyhlif8401/f/events/306-000_special_earth_permit_renewal_application_0.pdf.

Gravel operations are given an entire dedicated section of the Zoning Bylaws, and do not appear in the general table of uses for the various districts. The relevant Zoning Bylaw is "Article 10, Soil, Vegetation, Rock and Gravel Removal" (begins on page 93) and may be read at https://www.townofwinchendon.com/sites/g/files/vyhlif8401/f/pages/fall_2019_accepted_changes.pdf. Section 10.2.5 states, "Any earth removal over 19 yards for the sole purpose of commercial processing and/or sale may only be done in an Industrial Zone." The parcels in question are mostly zoned R80-Rural Residential with some overlap into R40-Suburban Residential (which is determined by distance from River Road, not lot lines).

Although the property is recorded as legally owned by "580 River Street LLC" and the permit application is made by Civil & Environmental Consultants Inc, these are entities belonging to or contracted by W.L. French Excavating Corporation, based in North Billerica, MA, which owns the parcels, is carrying out all operations currently active on the parcels, and is collecting all net profits which may result from any of the activities.

As the ZBA hearing resumed, Jarrett Everton, Director of Environmental Services for W.L. French, rose to give "a couple of updates," stating that the drive has been paved past the wheel wash, a second wheel wash has been installed as a backup, tree restoration in the quarry area is complete and property boundaries have been surveyed and marked with stakes. He added that a small area that wasn't marked has been rectified, and the abuttors are "on board with everything, no issues." He added that a dust mitigation plan has been implemented, including a wind speed monitor and watering down the site if it gets windy. A berm about 20 feet high has been built between the quarry and the residential area.

There was some discussion about a question raised by citizens as to whether the Special Permit granted to Mabardy (DBA Winchendon LLC) applied to a new owner. The Special Permit, being a limitation on use, seems to attach to the property. In the Mortgage filed with the Worcester County Registry of Deeds, documenting the sale of the parcels to 580 River Street, LLC by Charles J. Mabardy and Joseph Mabardy, Jr., for the sum of $1,500,000, Section 2.4, "Operation of Property", subsection (a) states, "The Mortgagor [i.e. 580 River Street, LLC, i.e. W.L. French] will not permit the Property to be used for any unlawful or improper purpose, will at all times comply with all state and local laws, ordinances and regulations, and the provisions of any Lease, easement or other agreement affecting all or any part of the Property, and will obtain and maintain all governmental or other approvals relating to the Mortgagor the Property or the Use thereof, including without limitation, any applicable zoning or building codes or regulations..."

Asked how long the gravel operation would continue, Mr. Everton said, "I think we'd be looking at another ten year extension" of the permit, which would take the gravel operation up to the year 2034. If the maximum number of trucks per day is increased, the quarry will be closed sooner. This is not a daily average, Mr. Everton said, but for "peak days" when the materials are in high demand. Production, and related blasting, is variable.

The situation is complicated because the gravel quarry operation is separate from the landfill capping operation--but the two operations are sharing the same trucks. Trucks come in with COMM-97 fill for the landfill cap, empty their loads and then some of them--10 to 20 loads a day currently, Mr. Everton said--fill up with quarried material and take that away. The operations also share access roads, and trucks track material out no matter what they're carrying when they leave. W.L. French wants to increase the number of trucks to expedite the capping portion of their use, then the number can go down just for the gravel quarry use.

Planning and Land Use Coordinator Nicole Roberts said the Board can go back to the Special Permit conditions and add further safeguards. They could integrate the wheel wash into the gravel operation. They can add an abandonment restoration plan, saying that the owners must come back before the ZBA and Conservation Commission when they're done quarrying with a mutually agreed-upon plan to restore the site. The ZBA will reserve the right to call the owners back should there be formal written complaints made to the ZBA about the operation. And they could increase the bond, which currently is $300,000, to cover maintenance of the road for the duration of the operation. They could set the permit for 10 years with a five year "check-in", and specify the dust mitigation and wheel wash staying in place for the quarry after the capping is done.

Mr. Everton stated that "we don't really have a restoration plan in place yet, we've thrown around a couple of ideas." They might develop the land for residential, or put in a solar installation. But it was too early to decide on anything. They would continue doing extra street sweeping as residents had requested.

The Board opened the floor to citizen comments.

Resident Marie McKinnon rose to question the increase in trucks, pointing out that the original Special Permit said it would not be renewed if the operation was detrimental to the neighborhood. The truck traffic on the road already makes walking hazardous and has required school bus stops to be changed. Going from 64 to 75 trucks a day will make this worse. The road already had the town transfer station, water treatment plant and sewer treatment plant.

The Board and Mr. Everton continued to explain that the capping operation and the quarrying operation are separate, and the Special Permit renewal is only for the quarrying operation. Ms. McKinnon asked if the company had records of how many trucks of quarry material were hauled out, and Mr. Everton said they don't have to submit those reports to the public because it's a private business operation.

Resident Frank McKinnon rose to ask if there would be more traffic to the quarry if they were selling their sand and gravel locally. Mr. Everton said the permit only allows their own company trucks on the property--random people can't just come in for a load of sand. Trucks are also not allowed to line up on River Street or Hale Street waiting to enter the site. Ms. Roberts added that there was an emergency safeguard for the town, whereby if the town had an emergency--such as a break in a dam--and needed gravel fast, the town would be able to get it from the site.

Resident Jody Mendoza rose to ask about the Zoning Bylaw (linked above), saying that the permit renewal should cover requirements in the Bylaw, such as specifying the five-acre parcel they were working on. Ms. Roberts and Board Chair Cynthia Carvill stated that the Bylaw doesn't cover a pre-existing non-conforming use. Ms. Mendoza continued, "I find a lot of this is really just open for them to interpret, where they're going to be doing things. And my concern is I have heard the terrible stories from abutters, from neighbors...I think that in the interest of transparency, that the abutters should know which parcel, as he stated earlier this can be this is 145 acres more or less, know which portions of it, excluding the capping site...I would like them to submit what they're planning."

Ms. Mendoza stated that the ZBA should review the permit annually or more often as the Bylaw specifies. "I think part of what is deeply upsetting to all of us is that they had been submitting complaints but the proper procedures were not followed by the people who they could submit the complaints to, so they never reached the Zoning Board. So everybody has been upset. Everybody was disgruntled. They've been complaining, they've been coming down. People with disabilities coming to Town Hall complaining, but it never made it to you." The company is benefitting from the operation, while residents worry about their children being hit by trucks and have to deal with dust. "There's a lot of things that haven't gone according to how they had promised," Ms. Mendoza said. "I'm asking the Board to please impose some conditions. We have a whole list of things."

There was considerable discussion on the validity of the Special Permit itself. The Board and Ms. Roberts continued to explain that the Special Permit superceded the terms in the Zoning Bylaws because the operation existed first.

There was much discussion of the number of trucks, the number of round trips (75 trucks per day is 150 trips on the road), and the issue of trucks lined up on Rte 140 waiting to get into the site, as reported by resident David Watkins. There was also much discussion of the history of non-compliance in the operations at the site, and the lack of follow-up and enforcement by the town.

Members of the ZBA said that the Board had never received a formal complaint in writing about the River Street operations until February of this year, when the Special Permit came up for renewal.

The discussion lasted for nearly two and half hours. Finally the Board voted to close the hearing. Ms. Roberts read the conditions to be added to the renewed Special Permit. "I have, they're going to submit their dust mitigation plan to us. Their hours of operation are going to be 7 am to 3:30 pm Monday through Friday. They are going to maintain that 100 foot buffer. In the event that any stakes get pulled out of the ground or disturbed, they will redo the survey by a licensed surveyor. Restoration plan, we're going to renew it for ten years and then come back on or before five years to present us with a restoration plan...now that that driveway is paved, there'll be a different evaluation done as far as the dust goes, if 300 feet of pavement does in fact, mitigate the dust or if you have to sweep the street further away all the way to the intersection of Main and River past the last house on River Street."

The wheel wash would remain in place, although it might not be needed. "Part of the ZBA stipulations is in fact, if something's not working, or if something is going awry, or they're not following conditions, the ZBA reserves the right to come back in and to bring French back in for whatever concern or whatever, if they get concerns from residents or what have you for anything, that they're not abiding by in their permit."

Ms. Roberts continued the conditions with, "They have to have the bond remain in place. The DPW has the right to raise the bond amount if they see fit, [based on] conditions with pavement, with life in general and the expenses. They have to abide by all state, federal and local rules and regulations. Always obtaining their permits."

The question of trucks idling and waiting on River Street or other roads was mentioned. Mr. Everton put in, "the reason that we were trying to avoid having them idle right outside of the quarry is so it doesn't annoy the neighbors in the morning. A lot of these trucks are getting loaded at 5:00 or 6:00 in Boston or surrounding areas. So they're getting on their way out here a little earlier. So if there's another staging spot that works better, we're all for it. But we thought 140 is a state highway so that would be okay, but if there's a better spot for it then we're okay with that. We're trying not to have them stage in front of people's houses."

Nicole added to the conditions, "no idling around River Street or any residential street in Winchendon, that makes sense. And then Jody will go revisit the conditions in one year from today's date, just to make sure French is abiding by all the rules and regulations."

Added to the list were, "not more than 75 trucks per day entering the property known as 580 River Street LLC owned by W.L. French," and "if the business changes ownership they have to come back for the ZBA for a new special permit."

The ZBA voted to approve the renewal of the Special Permit for 10 years with the conditions stipulated.





Wyndonshire Renaissance Faire Opens Saturday, April 27

Wyndonshire Faire
Dave Fournier as the Red Baron
Photo Courtesy of FaeGuild Wonders

The Wyndonshire Faire will be held at the Winchendon Community Park, 86 Ingleside Road, Winchendon, MA, on Saturday and Sunday, April 27 and April 28, from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. each day. It is a ticketed event: the pre-event rate for persons age 15 and up is $20 for one day's admission, $35 for both days. Young persons 14 and under are admitted free with an adult, and must be accompanied by an adult at all times. Tickets may be purchased online in advance at https://www.eventeny.com/events/wyndonshirerenaissancefaire-8828/. This link includes lists of performers and vendors with links to their information, as well as a list of volunteering opportunities. Tickets will also be sold at the gate, with onsite rates being $25 per day or $40 for both days. The site has limited parking; more parking will be available at 32 Elmwood Road and 3 Memorial Drive with shuttle service provided.

The Faire has its own website with much more information about the event: https://wyndonshirerenfaire.com/. Here you can find information about food available, performers, the cast of the ongoing, interactive roleplay that will run for the whole two days, a schedule, information about event policies and a map of the park.


Dan Kirouac to Appear at Senior Center

Dan Kirouac at Winchendon Senior Center

Photo courtesy of Dan Kirouac

Regional entertainer Dan Kirouac will bring a one-hour concert to the Old Murdock Senior Center on Tuesday, May 21 at 11:00 a.m. This will feature radio-friendly pop, rock, and easy-listening songs of the 1960s and 1970s.

The Center is located at 52 Murdock Ave. The performance is open to members of the Winchendon senior community and others as space and interest allow. Inquiries at (978) 297-3155.

The program is supported by a grant from the Winchendon Cultural Council, a local agency, which is supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency.

Dan Kirouac is a Massachusetts-based musician and singer. More about him can be found at www.facebook.com/DanKirouacMusic


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Be sure to check out our Classified and Employment Ads on the Events Page!

Fitchburg Restaurant El Toro to Open at former Carriage House on Spring Street

The rumors proved to be true--the upscale El Toro Steakhouse, recently of Fitchburg, will be opening in the former Carriage House location at 660 Spring Street as simply "El Toro," with an expanded "family friendly" menu, according to the Gardner News. The owners of El Toro did not respond to the Courier's requests for comment, but they told the Gardner News that they had outgrown their Fitchburg site and purchased the Carriage House building. They hope to open by June, or as soon as they obtain their liquor license (the Courier can personally testify that their application is in the Town Manager's office to be considered at the next opportunity).


Explanation of Town Mailing About "Taking by Eminent Domain"

The Town has begun sending out letters to property owners on all or portions of the following streets advising of eminent domain takings. This applies only to the streets, not anyone's yard or house. At Special Town Meeting in December, these streets were voted to be accepted as public ways. They were previously private ways that were not under the Town's control to maintain. Now they are and will be added to our pavement management plan. The letters are the legal notification of this action. No action is required on the part of the recipient.

Please call the Town Manager's office at 978-297-0085 x5 with any questions you may have. Below are the roads and streets that apply to this Notice.

Bluebird
Loon
Chase
Hillside
Jefferson
Maple [Place]
Phyllis
Prentice
Hapgood
King Phillip
Converse
Shady Glen
Summer
Sunny Cove
Wendell


Stone Ladeau Funeral Home

Central Mass Tree

Troy Laundromat


Click Here for Community Directory

Winchendon Businesses, Organizations, Services, and Government


Winchendon Farmers Market Moving to G.A.R. Park - New Season Starts May 18

Winchendon Farmers Market is pleased to announce a change of location to the picturesque G.A.R Park, 55 Murdock Ave, across the street from the Murdock Senior Center. Our new location is centrally located downtown and only a few blocks away from our old location on Pleasant st. There is lots of easy parking around GAR Park for customers and vendors.

Our first market day for the 2024 season will be Saturday, May 18, 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Opening day will feature an interactive activity for children. Plant a free seed to take home! (*available while supplies last. ) Come check us out, find healthy seedlings to get your garden started, buy some delicious food and lovingly handmade crafts, then explore the beautiful park.

Winchendon Farmers Market is Thursdays: 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. and Saturdays: 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., until October 31.

Our market is certified to accept WIC & senior coupons, and we were recently approved to accept SNAP. Please follow us on Facebook and Instagram @winchendonfarmersmarket. We will not set up in inclement weather. When in doubt, please check our social media for cancellations.

We are still accepting applications for vendors to join us for the 2024 season. If you are a local farmer, producer, crafter or artist: Let's talk! Please visit our website for an application. https://www.winchendonfarmersmarket.org/


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


Makers Alley Accepting Applications for New Vendors

Are you a local maker seeking a place where you can sell your creations regularly? The Local Makers Hub runs "Makers Alley" on Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Winchendon Community Hub, 5 Summer Drive. Applications for space are being accepted now--go to https://signup.com/go/vVZsbes to apply.


Applications Open for Crafts Vendors at 3rd Annual Food Truck Festival

Winchendon Parks & Recreation is looking for craft vendors for our 2024 food truck festival and Battle of the Bands event. The event will be at the G.A.R. Park, 52 Murdock Ave, Winchendon on Friday, June 28 from 4:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. If interested, please fill out a vendor application here: https://www.eventeny.com/events/winchendons3rdannualfoodtruckfestival-10428/


Winchendon Parks & Recreation Seeking Volunteers

Winchendon Parks & Recreation is seeking volunteers to assist with the two-day-long Wyndonshire Renaissance Faire which will transform the Winchendon Community Park (86 Ingleside Dr) on Saturday and Sunday, April 27 and 28. There are many volunteer roles, as well as openings for vendors. For complete details, and to sign up, go to https://www.eventeny.com/events/wyndonshirerenaissancefaire-8828/


Winchendon CAC Asks Members to Answer Survey

The Winchendon CAC has a new survey they would like their members to fill out. It's available in multiple languages and is completely anonymous. The responses will help the CAC in improving and developing its programs going forward. At the end of the survey, members can put their names into a raffle for a $50 gift card. You can find the survey at this link: https://portraitofagrad.iad1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_d3Ya3kqATbPA0Zw?fbclid=IwAR0O5byH2lO7PD7IzUW2-oI9sVf1LboaBG7i1w7KvX-zaHXBf57VWcAMGEA


Applications Open for Vendor Spaces at the 2024 Fall Festival

The 8th Annual Winchendon Fall Festival, to be held on Saturday, October 12, 2024 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:

https://www.townofwinchendon.com/sites/g/files/vyhlif8401/f/uploads/fall_festival_application_tow_2024.pdf


Affordable Connectivity Program Helps Low Income Households Pay for Internet

The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) is a new government program that helps low income households pay for broadband service and internet connected devices, and helps students succeed in the classroom and online (those students with a Federal Pell Grant are eligible) along with folks that participate in certain government assistance programs such as SNAP, Medicaid, WIC, etc. This program is available NOW and if you qualify, you can save $30 a month off your internet service bill and a one-time discount of up to $100 for a laptop, tablet or desktop computer.

The application process is simple and can be found at https://www.affordableconnectivity.gov/

If you prefer to mail in a hard copy, the application is listed below for you to print out or please stop by the Town Manager's office for a hard copy.

More information about the ACP is in the documents below.

ACP Flyer
https://www.townofwinchendon.com/sites/g/files/vyhlif8401/f/news/acp-flyer.pdf

Printable Application Form
https://www.townofwinchendon.com/sites/g/files/vyhlif8401/f/news/acp-application-form-english.pdf

ACP and Free School Lunch program
https://www.townofwinchendon.com/sites/g/files/vyhlif8401/f/news/acp_school_lunch_back_to_school_flyer.pdf


Winchendon Energy Program Announces New Reduced Rate

The Town of Winchendon has signed a twenty-four month contract with its current supplier, Constellation NewEnergy. Beginning with the December 2023 meter reads, the Winchendon Community Choice Power Supply Program will have a new rate of $0.14965 per kWh. For complete details and information on how to switch your electric provider, see https://www.townofwinchendon.com/home/news/winchendon-energy-program-announces-new-reduced-rate


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"


FY24 Senior Tax Work-Off Applications Now Available!

Once again this year, we are pleased to announce the Senior Work-Off program was approved at our Annual Town Meeting. The Senior Work-Off Abatement Program is a program 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 or on the town website, and will be accepted until the eight slots are filled. There are different types of positions that are available depending on the 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. Click here for more information and a downloadable application.


Town Committee Vacancies
as of April 17, 2024


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.

Communications Committee - 3 vacancies
Conservation Commission - 1 vacancy
Fence Viewer and Field Driver - 1 vacancy
Finance Committee - 1 vacancy
Parks & Recreation Commission - 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/sites/g/files/vyhlif8401/f/uploads/july_town_boards_and_commissions.pdf (PDF).

NEW DCR Recreational Advisory: Lake Dennison Day Use Area

(Monday, March 11, 2024) Effective immediately and continuing until further notice, the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) has closed roadways within the Otter River State Forest and Lake Dennison Recreation Area in the Town of Winchendon due to flooding caused by US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) holding water at Birch Hill Dam. This closure will be in place until the USACE releases enough water to lower the lake to summer levels.

This applies to roadways within the Otter River State Forest and Lake Dennison Rec Area in the Town of Winchendon.

The closure is effective immediately and continuing until April 2024.


Scholarship Opportunities for Murdock Alumni and non-Murdock Seniors

The Murdock High School guidance department wishes to provide the following information regarding local scholarship opportunities for Murdock Alumni as well as non-Murdock (i.e. Monty Tech, Sizer, etc.) Winchendon seniors. The time to apply is now! The list of local scholarships, applications and instructions can be found at: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Cad7nZUPUWzRxOOFGFdbQ8l98nvurwnX/view

Do You Want a Fresh Financial Start?

Up to $500 of match funding towards a specific goal upon course completion!

For more details go to our website at https://www.winchendon-cac.org/freshstart

If you are interested in being considered for this program please fill out the interest form and someone will get back to you. https://forms.gle/hyuyBcjdBzmEXpnC8

Informational meeting on Wednesday, November 1 from 5:30 - 7:00 p.m. at the Winchendon CAC, 5 Summer Dr.


Fresh Box is Here!

Healthy Meal Kits for Local Families

The Winchendon and Gardner CACs are both recipients of the biggest coordinated local produce distribution effort our region has ever seen thanks to Growing Places. With a Local Food Purchase Assistance USDA grant administered by the MA Department of Agricultural Resources, Growing Places (GP) and regional partners have launched a year-long program distributing free boxes of produce ($40 and $50 value) weekly. GP will pack and distribute 212 boxes weekly, with 80 going to Gardner and Winchendon CACs! This equates to about 2,000 pounds of local produce JUST to Winchendon and Gardner every week! Farmers are receiving retail prices for their produce, making this a huge win for our region's food economy and our residents. To sustain this boost in the local food system, HEAL partners will work to transition box recipients to GP's SNAP/HIP-eligible home-delivered produce program. All box recipients will receive a sheet on the benefits of buying local, a recipe, SNAP/HIP information, and a CSA enrollment form.


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Toy Town FYIs

Transfer Station Hours

As of December 1, 2023:
Wednesday 12:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Thursday 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Friday 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Saturday 8:00 a.m. 4:00 p.m.

653 River Street
978-297-0395
Sticker price: $75 ($25 for additional stickers)
Pay-As-You-Throw bags required
33-gallon, $4.25 per bag, 16-gallon, $2.25 per bag
2023-2024 Transfer Station sticker now on sale in Town Hall and at the Transfer Station.

2024 Dog Licenses Now Available

2024 Dog Licenses are now available in the Town Clerk's office. Please provide valid rabies certificate. Spayed and Neutered dogs are $10. Non-Spayed and Non-Neutered dogs are $20. Dog Licenses can be obtained in person, mail, drop box, and online.

Sign up for Code Red Emergency Alerts
Sign up for our emergency notification program today! Receive up-to-date information before, during and after an emergency in your neighborhood. You can choose to be notified via voice, text and email notifications of emergency and inclement weather alerts. Click the link below for information and sign-up.
www.townofwinchendon.com/home/news/sign-code-red-emergency-alerts

Is Your House Number Clearly Visible from the Street?
The Winchendon Fire Department reminds all residents to make sure their house number is clearly visible for first responders who may need to find you. Numbers should be at least four inches high and facing the street, with lighting if possible. Put numbers on a contrasting background so they will stand out. If your driveway is long, put the number on a mailbox or pole on the street or at the end of driveway, facing in both directions. (Reflective numbers are helpful.) Check your house numbers to make sure foliage has not grown up in front of them without your being aware of it.

Report a Pothole to the DPW

You can report potholes directly to the DPW using this form on the town website:

www.townofwinchendon.com/public-works/webforms/report-pothole

Winchendon Town Hall & Transfer Station Now Accepting Credit/Debit Payments

We are excited to announce that the DPW, Treasurer/Collector's Office and the Transfer Station can all now accept in-person credit and debit card payments. This means next time you need to purchase or pay for:

Trash bags
Transfer station stickers
Excise bills
Tax bills
Water & Sewer bills
And more

You can pay with a credit or debit card! (subject to a convenience fee).

If You Call for Emergency Services...

...the Winchendon Fire Department asks that you let the dispatcher know if you have flu-like symptoms, are quarantined or are under self-quarantine. This will allow the first responders to take all necessary precautions to avoiding spreading COVID-19 and to protect themselves and you.

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Send an email to editor@winchendoncourier.net and you'll be added to the email list!