Winchendon MA – Gardner News Magazine: Local News & Articles in Gardner MA

Winchendon MA

Town of Winchendon MA on Gardner Magazine

Winchendon MA Local News and Community Information

Jump to: Around the Community – Winchendon Map – Winchendon Photos – Service pages and outside links — View current Calendar (opens in new window)

Winchendon – Super – King

Charlotte King Is the School Superintendent in Winchendon

The Winchendon School Committee signed a 3 year contract with Charlotte King which goes until 2029 with a base salary of $178,500. King has worked for the Winchendon School District for about 3 years serving in such roles as Dean of Students at Toy Town Elementary and Director of Pupil Services. About a year ago, King was given the job of Assistant Superintendent. Now she has the top job. Gardner Magazine has the AUDIO of the School Committee meeting of January 8^th. Listen on any device, CLICK PLAY.

Winchendon School Committee 1-8-26

In other matters, The Winchendon School Committee meeting held on January 8, 2026, focused on district updates, financial planning, and leadership stability. A student representative outlined several community service initiatives including hygiene drives and fundraisers, while the superintendent reported on holiday events, a free flu clinic, and progress on building renovation projects. The primary discussion centered on the preliminary FY27 budget, which faces significant challenges due to rising special education costs, decreasing federal grants, and a reliance on local funding despite level-funded supplies.
Year Ahead – Zlotnik 2026

The Year Ahead –2026 – A Comprehensive Interview with Jonathan Zlotnik

Gardner Magazine spoke with State Representative Jonathan Zlotnik on January 8, 2026. We review 2025 and we speak about the year ahead, 2026. Listen to the entire interview on any device, CLICK PLAY.

Gardner Magazine Publisher Werner Poegel and Jonathan Zlotnik took a look back at 2025 with some key achievements being a savings of $100,000 annually simply by effectuating the merger of the Winchendon and Gardner District Courts into the Winchendon-Gardner District Court, securing $10 million in infrastructure funding, and being involved in an important Veterans Housing project in Winchendon. 2026 Top priorities include education, the housing crisis, and infrastructure as is detailed more fully below and in a detailed infographic.

Gardner Magazine has prepared a briefing document with key themes and priorities from State Representative Jonathan Zlotnik. CLICK HERE for PDF and a Report entitled: “the $100,000 Hyphen: 5 Lessons from Local Government, CLICK HERE for PDF — or — CLICK HERE to view the text in a separate page.

In 2025, significant achievements included securing over $10 million for water and sewer infrastructure in the district, championing a revised road funding formula that benefits rural communities, and advancing major youth service initiatives like “The Hub” in Winchendon and the Gardner Community Youth Center. A cornerstone project, the redevelopment of two Winchendon schools into 44 units of veterans’ housing, moved forward with approximately 90% state funding.

Looking ahead to 2026, Representative Zlotnik’s top priorities are twofold: ensuring the full and continued funding of the Student Opportunity Act to provide stable support for K-12 education, and aggressively addressing the regional housing crisis through state investment in redevelopment projects. Supporting priorities include ensuring the financial sustainability of Heywood Healthcare, continuing investment in youth services and infrastructure, and strengthening local food security systems. Throughout, Zlotnik contrasts the Massachusetts legislature’s track record of consensus-building with federal-level gridlock, underscoring a pragmatic approach to governance.
Wreaths Across America 2025

Wreaths Across America Event in Winchendon

Wreaths Across America will be at the Massachusetts Veterans’ Memorial Cemetery in Winchendon on Friday, December 12, 2025 at 9am. However, there is NO PARKING at the cemetery location. People are encouraged to park at the American Legion Post 295 School Street, Winchendon where shuttle buses will take you to the cemetery. There will also be a ceremony in the chapel at 11:45am on Saturday, December 13th. Listen to the Chair Man and the Chair Lady discuss the event on any device, CLICK PLAY.

DEEP DIVE – Wreaths Across America – Winchendon Event
Winchendon Special Dec 1st Town Meeting

Winchendon Calls Special Town Meeting for December 1st

The Town of Winchendon Special Town Meeting to consider 2 articles will be held Monday, December 1, 2025 at 7pm (Doors open at 6pm) Location is Murdock High School Gymnasium, 3 Memorial Drive, Winchendon.

Article 1 proposes the adoption of a local Lodging Excise Tax, impacting hotels and bed and breakfast establishments. Majority Vote is required to pass.

Article 2 addresses a significant financial matter, seeking authorization to borrow and appropriate $16,632,499 for the construction and equipping of a new Fire Station Addition and Renovation project. This will need a 2/3 vote to pass.

Listen to the “Deep Dive” discussing the implications and the upcoming meeting on any device, CLICK PLAY.

DEEP DIVE – Winchendon Town Meeting 12-1-25

If approved at Town Meeting, both articles will also need to be approved at the ballot box prior to taking effect.
Serial Killer Haunted House

Here is a pdf of the Social Media post you can view for yourself, CLICK HERE.

Both WGAW Owner- General Manager Steve Wendell and Gardner Magazine Owner – Publisher Werner Poegel Call for Resignations

The Winchendon History and Cultural Center put on an event called: “Serial: A ‘Killer’ Immersive Haunted House Experience Like No Other” It was held on October 23, 24, and 25, 2025. In my opinion, the concept was very sick and disgusting. I am calling for the entire Board to resign.

Steve Wendell of WGAW also called for the Board to resign. This is his commentary aired during Hotline Radio October 25th.

Wendell Commentary – 10-25-25

This is a commentary from Gardner Magazine Publisher Werner Poegel which includes the very sick language put forth in the Social Media post.

Poegel Commentary 10-25-25

Publisher Werner Poegel and WGAW Owner Steve Wendell both independently stated: “All of these Board Members should resign.”
Winchendon 6-28-25

Winchendon Food Truck Festival and Battle of the Bands

The Winchendon Food Truck Festival and Battle of the Bands is Saturday, June 28, 2025 from noon to 7pm at GAR Park, 52 Murdock Avenue, Winchendon MA

Food Truck Favorites Include: The Taco Dude • Mac Daddy • Berrysweets • Birds Nest Italian Street Food • Potato Potato • Sauced and Tossed Chicken Co • Uncle Joey’s Cannoli • Travelin’ Bones BBQ • Sugarcane Hut • Nom Nom Hut • Moe’s Sweet Eats • Eggroll Cafe Food Truck • Breez Freez • Dogfather • Bono Appetit • Easy Street Tacos

Battle of the Bands Noon: The Faceless Hobos featuring Pat Townsend and Dave Romanowski, a duo who began playing together in 2017. 1:15pm: Sheep Dip with James Erikson, Jacqi Brown and Diane Wood 2:45pm: Rock 201 – a high energy classic rock band that has been rocking since 1998. 4:15pm – 5 piece party-cover band Plead the 5^th 5:45pm: Down Daizy – 80’s music that Rocks! With Bill Leger on guitar, Jay Sharron on drums, Joe Hazelwood – bass and Jamie Gauthier with those 80s vocals!

The Town of Winchendon says: “Bring your appetite, your friends, and your dancing shoes — this is one summer celebration you won’t want to miss! FREE admission • Live entertainment • Family fun all day long!” For more about upcoming events in Winchendon, here is the Winchendon Parks and Recreation web page, CLICK HERE.

Upcoming: Gardner Food Truck Festival is Saturday, July 12th.
Hotline 6-21-25

A Busy Hotline Radio Show on WGAW

Listen to the entire show on any device. CLICK PLAY.

Hotline 6-21-25

The WGAW Hotline Radio Show of June 21, 2025 featured an ABC Report on the Karen Read trial and not guilty verdict. Gardner Mayor Michael Nicholson spoke about the June 21st Gardner Festival, Happy Birthday Celebration, and Fireworks. The Mayor provided details on the Greenwood Pool opening and spoke of upcoming paving in the City. Hotline featured the Pastor of the Mission Grace Church. Winchendon Town Manager Bill McKinney provided an update on his community. State Representative Jonathan Zlotnik spoke about funding received due to the “millionaire’s tax.” The AUDIO of the Firefighters Memorial Ceremony was played. Firefighters were remembered and current firefighters were honored. A Firefighters Commentary with Werner Poegel.
School Report

Gardner Magazine Reports on Schools – Student Attendance, Teacher Retention, and Dropout Rates

Gardner Magazine utilized data from the Massachusetts Department of Education for this report and the associated “Deep Dive” podcasts. View the data yourself right here, CLICK for WEBSITE.

Gardner Magazine looked in to what percentage of students are attending school, what percentage of teachers are being retained, and the dropout rates. Districts were compared across the State of Masaschusetts. The Town of Winchendon stood out with one of the lowest attendance rates in the area, one of the lowest teacher retention rates in the area, and one of the higher dropout rates in the state of Massachusetts.

Student Attendance: Best student attendance in the state was the MA Academy for Math and Science at 98.6%. Gardner was at 92.4%. The Town of Winchendon was at 89.9%. Ashburnham – Westminster 94.9, Athol – Royalston 91.9, Gardner 92.4, Monty-Tech 96.2, Narragansett 94.1, Orange 94.2, Petersham 93.6, Quabbin 93.8, Wachusett 94.3, Warwick 94.3, Winchendon 89.9 Other communites: Boston: 90.5, Fitchburg: 90.9, Greenfield 91.9, Leominster 93.2, Springfield 90.8, and Worcester 91.9 . Listen to the Attendance Data Deep Dive on any device, CLICK PLAY

DEEP DIVE – Student Attendance

Teacher Retention: With data last updated on April 3, 2025: Retention rates in the area were – Gardner 84%, Ashburnham – Westminster 90%, Athol – Royalston 79.2%, Boston 83.8%, Fitchburg 81.8%, Leominster 86.9%, Monty-Tech 90.8%, Narragansett 94.2%, Orange 85.7%, Quabbin 89.5%, Springfield 81.9%, Wachusett 94.3%, Winchendon 68.5%. Listen to the MA Teacher Retention Deep Dive on any device, CLICK PLAY.

DEEP DIVE – Teacher Retention

Dropout Rates: Winchendon had one of the higher dropout rates at 7.5%, Lawrence was higher at 7.8%. Gardner – 2.9%, Ashburnham – Westminster- 3%, Athol – Royalston – 2.9%, Narragansett – 3.2%, Monty-Tech – .2%. Leominster 1.2%, Fitchburg 2.1%, Boston 4.5%, Quabbin 3%, Many Massachusetts cities and towns had dropout percentages of 0 or under 1%. Listen to the MA Dropout Rates Deep Dive on any device, CLICK PLAY.

DEEP DIVE- Dropout Rates
Winchendon 5-19-25

Winchendon Town Meeting Held – Voters Approve Budget

The Fiscal 2026 Town Budget was approved at the Winchendon Town Meeting held on May 19, 2025. Included in the nearly $19.3 million approved is the $1.9 million override previously approved at the May 5^th town election. At that time, the override was approved by a margin of just 12 votes. 8 articles involving FREE CASH spending were pushed to the fall Town meeting by which time the State of Massachusetts is expected to have certified the FREE CASH amount. In addition, the just over $18 million school budget was also approved. COMPLETE TOWN MEETING WARRANT, click here.

As a result of the Town Meeting vote, services will continue at the library, senior center, and other areas which would have been impacted had the $1.9 million override not been approved. A motion had been made during the meeting to remove the $1.9 million override. Discussion arose because that motion would not apportion the override properly among the municipal and school budgets. Town counsel advised that voters would need to review each item line by line if the budget were not approved in its entirety. Discussion continued on both sides of the issue. After nearly 2 hours 22 minutes in to the Town Meeting, article 11 came to a vote and the budget with the $1.9 million override passed 61% to 39%, a much larger margin than the 12 votes at the Town election about 2 weeks earlier.

The town meeting had a large turnout, nearly filling the gym in which it was held. Community Connector provided free transportation to the Town Meeting and Murdock High School students had offered free babysitting to allow families to attend. At the meeting, a display showed text of what the speakers were saying, in real time.
Winchendon ATM 5-19-25

Winchendon Holding Town Meeting on May 19, 2025

The Town of Winchendon voters narrowly approved an override of $1.9 million at the annual town election. Article 11 funds the Town operating budget with just under $19.3 million for fiscal year 2026 and includes the previously approved override. View complete Meeting warrant here.

Date/Time: May 19, 2025 7pm Location: Murdock Middle High School, 3 Memorial Drive, Winchendon.