Winchendon MA
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Winchendon MA Local News and Community Information
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- Winchendon Project
Winchendon Receives Low Interest Loan for Water Main Project
Winchendon Town Manager Bill McKinney told us the State of Massachusetts has approved a low interest loan so that the Town of Winchendon can proceed with the $9.5 million water main project. Interest rate is low at about 2 percent and 17-19 percent of the loan is subject to forgiveness. (It is not a complete grant as a report published in another local publication suggests.) Listen on any device, CLICK PLAY.
Wyndonshire Renaissance Fair is this weekend Saturday April 27th and Sunday April 28th. Bill McKinney says a big crowd is expected. More information from the town of Winchendon website on the Wyndonshire Renaissance Fair
In other Winchendon News: In our last interview with Bill McKinney, he told us that the Carriage House Restaurant property had been sold and another restaurant was coming in. That restaurant will be El Toro, currently located in Fitchburg. Rather than adding Winchendon, they are actually moving their restaurant to Winchendon.
- April – Winchendon
Recent Public Meetings in Winchendon MA include the Board of Selectmen of April 8th, Winchendon School Committee on April 11th and Hearing of April 2nd, and Winchendon Finance Committee of April 9th.
Listen on any device, CLICK PLAY.
Listen on any device, CLICK PLAY.
Listen on any device, CLICK PLAY.
Listen on any device, CLICK PLAY.
- McKinney 4-9-24
Visit the Town of Winchendon Website, CLICK HERE
More on the Winchendon Community Park and the Renaissance Fair spoken of in the interview, CLICK HERE.
An Interview with Winchendon Town Manager Bill McKinney – Budget, Business, and the Basics about the Toytown.
We had the honor of speaking with Winchendon Town Manager Bill McKinney on April 9, 2024. Listen to the interview on any device. CLICK PLAY.
McKinney spoke of the challenges Winchendon is having with its budget of about $35 million. “I put in the budget message that we’re able to cobble together some free cash and some remaining ARPA funds to get through Fiscal 25, but Fiscal 26 will require an override, which is why I want to let people know about it now….It’s always a tough ask trying to get more money, but it’s something that hopefully the town will go along with because obviously people enjoy the services that the town offers. They want the roads plowed. They want the roads paved. They want somebody to come if they need an emergency. They want someone to pick up the phone when they call town hall, or they want someone here if they come in with questions. We want to be able to provide all those services.”
McKinney spoke of opportunities for businesses interested in coming to Winchendon. “We’re working with our state partners as far as economic development. They’ve got some ideas. There are some different grants available.”
The Town Manager told us about the opportunities for local recreation including the Winchendon Amphitheater and the two day Renaissance Fair coming up at the end of April. And there’s a great season ahead: “We have several concerts coming up over the summer. We’ve got some movie nights, so we’ve got a lot of activities and a lot of reasons for people to come out and check out the amphitheater, and hopefully get something to eat while they’re in town.” There will also be a new restaurant opening up where the Carriage House was.
- Winchendon 3-26-24
Consecutive Night Meetings
The Winchendon Board of Selectmen met on March 25, 2024 for 1 ½ hours. . Meeting concerned appointments, permit-license applications, a presentation of Beal’s Memorial Library, Nicole Roberts update regarding Planning and Development, various new business, continued discussions on the landfill, and a 2nd review of the Town Manager Goals and Objectives. Complete Agenda, CLICK HERE. Listen to the entire meeting on any device, CLICK PLAY.
The Board of Selectmen and the Finance Committee held a joint meeting on March 26, 2024 at which the fiscal year 2025 Final Budget was presented. As usual there were member comments and public comments. Listen to the entire meeting on any device. CLICK PLAY
- Winchendon BOS 3-11-24
Complete Agenda, CLICK HERE. (Note: We are working with Town of Winchendon to get quality of document improved.)
Winchendon Select Board Meets 3-11-24
The Winchendon Board of Selectmen met on March 11, 2024. Listen to the meeting on any device. CLICK PLAY.
- Winchendon Select Board 2-26-24
The Winchendon Select Board met on February 26, 2024 in a more than 3 hour meeting.
There was considerable discussion about the landfill and concerns about trucks and contamination to residents.
Order is as follows: Selectmen’s comments and announcements —- public comments and announcements — public hearings — appointments and resignations —- Permit – license applications — Boards – Committees – Commissions — New Business —- Old Business —- Town Manager’s Report —- Minutes —- Communications —- Agenda Items —- Executive Session —- Adjournment. View Complete agenda, CLICK HERE. Listen to the meeting on any device. CLICK PLAY.
- Winchendon 2-12-24
Town of Winchendon Holds Meeting with Select Board, School Committee, and Finance Committee
The lengthy meeting on February 12, 2024 concerned many budget matters and included a presentation by Interim Town Manager Bill McKinney on historic & projected expenses and revenues of the town. The amount of the increase in State Aid will be far less than usual and expenses are up considerably, so the Town Manager was there to share the figures with the various Boards so decisions could be made on how to proceed. The meeting also heard from School Superintendent Goguen on the School Budget. Listen on any device. CLICK PLAY.
Moonlit Hikes in Winchendon, February 24th 7pm: “Join us at the Winchendon Community Park for our Moonlit hikes! Hikes to take place under the full moon! Meet at the parking lot and be lead on a trail hike.“
Winchendon Fall Festival – complete information on Town of Winchendon website, CLICK HERE.
- Winchendon – Water Main
from town of Winchendon at 4pm on 2-1-24: ATTENTION-EMERGENCY SITUATION-LARGE WATER BREAK-CONSERVE WATER Crews are actively looking for the large water break. Please be visual. Call dispatch with any information pertaining to the water break. 978-297-1212
- Winchendon Meeting
Winchendon Town Meeting will be Monday, May 20, 2024 at 7pm, to be held at Murdock Middle High School. The Town Manager’s office will be accepting warrant articles through Monday, April 8, 2024 until 5pm. Any questions, call the Town Manager’s office at (978) 297-0085 extension 5.
- Winchendon 1-22-24
More on crumbling foundations on the Town of Winchendon website, CLICK HERE.
Winchendon Select Board Hears About Pyrrhotite in Concrete
The unusual iron sulfide with variable iron content can really screw up concrete, and the problems in house foundations sometimes takes 10 to 30 years to show up. The Winchendon Select Board heard about the problem at its January 22, 2024 meeting. Listen to the meeting on any device. CLICK PLAY.
Rick Ward reminded people interested in running for Town Office that nomination papers can be picked up at the Town Clerk’s Office on the first floor of City Hall, but must be returned by March 18th.
Karen and Brian from Massachusetts Residents Against Crumbling Foundations gave an information presentation on the issue stating, “We’re here tonight in the hopes of just bringing some awareness that there are some homes in Winchendon that have been affected by pyrrhotite.” The problem is expensive. According to the presenters, “The only remedy at this point is to actually lift a house up in the air, demolish the old foundation, and pour a new one.”
Around the Winchendon MA Community
Community Facts
Winchendon is a town in Worcester County Massachusetts with a population of around 11 thousand people. Winchendon was incorporated in 1764.
Winchendon is also known as the “Toytown” from a history of toy manufacturing in the community.
Schools
Winchendon Public Schools: (978) 297-0031
Murdock High: (978) 297-1256
Murdock Middle: (978) 297-0509
Toytown Elementary: (978) 297-2005
Memorial Elementary: (978) 297-1305
Government
Town Manager: (978) 297-0085
Town Clerk: (978) 297-2766
Fire Department: (978) 297-2324
Police Department: (978) 297-1212
Organizations
Beal’s Memorial Library: (978) 297-0300
Interactive Map of Winchendon MA
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