Complete information about the Winchendon budget and the proposed override is available on the Town of Winchendon website, CLICK HERE.
Interview with Town Manager Bill McKinney on the Winchendon Budget challenges and the override. Listen on any device. CLICK PLAY.
Open Letter from Winchendon Library Director, CLICK for article
Publisher Werner Poegel commentary on the Winchendon Override. Listen on any device. CLICK PLAY.
Important April Winchendon Meetings
Gardner Magazine is providing the AUDIO to several important April meetings in Winchendon Massachusetts. The School Committee of April 17th, the Candidates Night at Beal’s Memorial Library, the Select Board Meeting of April 28th, and the Joint Select Board – Finance Meeting of April 29th. Winchendon citizens will vote on May 5th regarding the proposed override, so more information on any of the local issues is helpful to voters.
Editorial Endorsement of Override
Gardner Magazine has endorsed the $2.9million override because of a very simple truth: Inflation over the past few years has made expenses rise much faster than revenue. With Prop 2 ½ artificially limiting taxes even in times of urgent need, the override is what is needed to keep Winchendon on a positive track. Cost to taxpayers is an estimated additional $65 per month for the average home. Cost to taxpayers of not approving the override is possible loss of $50,000 in value to average home in the next 5 years due to diminished geographic desirability risks, (more than 10 times the proposed investment). Some would say the $50k loss is overestimated, others might say it might be more.
Listen to any of the meetings on any device. CLICK PLAY.
Real World Financial Implications of Override
The $1.9 million override would result in a $24 per month increase in a $200k home to a $109 per month increase on a $900k home. The $2.9 million override would result in a $37 per month increase on a $200k home to a $167 increase on a $900k home. CLICK IMAGE for larger view.