Winchendon meeting summaries, agendas, and minutes

Winchendon boards set agendas for development, grants, and policy votes

This week's Winchendon government meetings were all agenda-only, with minutes not yet published. Key items on the table include a proposal for three contractors' garages, a $50,000 grant for a fitness court, and votes on a Complete Streets policy and surplus disposal.

Planning Board: Three garages proposed on School Street

On Aug. 4, the Planning Board held a public hearing on a site plan and stormwater permit for three 7,500-square-foot contractors' garages at 0 School Street, proposed by Allain Sitework LLC. No decision was recorded.

Parks & Recreation: $50,000 grant for fitness court

The Parks & Recreation Commission announced a $50,000 grant for the NFC Fitness Court. The board also reviewed upcoming events including Into the Floyd on Aug. 8, Italian Street Fest on Aug. 15, and a softball batting clinic on Aug. 13.

Board of Selectmen: Policy votes and licenses

The Board of Selectmen on Aug. 10 was scheduled to vote on a Complete Streets Policy, an article on disposing of surplus materials valued under $10,000, and a Buy Recycled Policy. The board also considered one-day wine and malt licenses for the Italian Festival (Aug. 15) and Blues Brew & BBQ (Aug. 29), and entertainment permits for Lickity Splitz (Aug. 25) and Fanelli Amusements carnival (Oct. 1-4). Appointments were also on the agenda.

School Committee: Strategic plan and Murdock Trust funds

The School Committee on Aug. 6 was set to vote on adopting the District Strategic Plan and accepting FY27 funds from the Murdock Trust. The agenda also included a superintendent's report with budget updates and a review of FY25 student activities.

Other notable items

• The Redevelopment Authority discussed updates on Hillview Business Park, Beech Street Park, and 4 Summer Drive, including a $200 bill payment.
• The Finance Committee reviewed year-to-date financials and discussed reducing its size from 7 to 5 members.
• The regional MEDD/MRCEDS Committee considered using EPA grant funds for environmental assessments at two Baldwinville properties: $7,200 for 17 State Road and $5,900 for 25 Central Street.
• The Fire Station Building Committee held its first organizational meeting, electing a chair and vice-chair.

Coming up

• Aug. 18: Planning Board continues hearing on 22-unit apartment redevelopment at 61 Railroad Street (Winchendon Furniture Company property).
• Aug. 18: Town Clerk conducts tabulator testing for the Sept. 1 State Primary.
• Aug. 18: Youth Commission votes on officer roles and bylaw amendment.
• Aug. 19: Fire Station Committee reviews priorities and walks through the station.
• Aug. 19: Montachusett Regional Vocational Technical School policy subcommittee reviews several policies.

Winchendon boards weigh garage proposal, licenses, and grants; no decisions published yet

All recent Winchendon meetings were agenda-only, with minutes not yet published, so no official decisions have been confirmed. The most consequential item on the table is a Planning Board public hearing for three contractors' garages on School Street.

Planning and Development

The Planning Board held a public hearing on August 4 for a site plan and stormwater permit at 0 School Street. Allain Sitework LLC proposes to construct three 7,500-square-foot contractors' garages. No vote was reported.

Licenses and Permits

The Board of Selectmen met twice on July 30. The agenda included a one-day wine and malt license for Miranda Jennings for the Into the Floyd Concert on August 8, from 6 to 10 p.m., at Winchendon Community Park Amphitheater, 86 Ingleside Road. A joint meeting with the School Committee also considered the appointment of a Monty Tech representative.

The Board of Health, meeting August 3, discussed updates to its fee schedule, a tobacco permit for new owner One Stop Convenience, and appointing a representative to the Fire Station Building Committee.

Schools

The Montachusett Regional Vocational Technical School met July 29 to consider a 5-year lease with Icon for a new telephone system, an update on FY26 budget closing, and athletic field complex renovations.

The School Committee's Policy Subcommittee met August 6 to review proposed updates to policy C: General School Administration.

Community and Recreation

The Parks & Recreation Commission, meeting August 4, announced a $50,000 grant for the NFC Fitness Court. The agenda also covered upcoming events, including Into the Floyd on August 8, the Italian Street Fest on August 15, and a private field rental on August 28.

The Library Board of Trustees met July 28 to discuss the Long Range Plan and Action Plan, receive a grants update, and interview a candidate for Library Trustee.

The Winchendon Ad-Hoc Youth Commission met August 6 to vote on a bylaw amendment, discuss an August Teen Night, and receive updates on a park cleanup project.

Administration

The Audit Committee met August 5 to appoint a new member and elect a Chair, Vice Chair, and Clerk.

The Charter & Bylaw Review Committee met July 29 via Zoom to conduct a live review of the Town Charter.

Coming up

• **Winchendon Redevelopment Authority** – August 10: updates on Hillview Business Park, Beech Street Park, and 4 Summer Drive; bill payment of $200.
• **Finance Committee** – August 11: review of year-to-date financials, discussion of reducing committee size from 7 to 5 members, and department reports.
• **Historical Commission / Historic District** – August 12: routine monthly meeting with no substantive action items.
• **Agricultural Commission** – August 12: discussion of new farmers, farmer resources, an animal nuisance letter, and a farmers market update.

Winchendon Meeting Roundup: Boards Tackle Alcohol Licenses, School Policies, and Charter Review

Winchendon's boards and committees covered a wide range of business over the past two weeks, from alcohol licenses for a community concert to school policy reviews and a live review of the Town Charter. All recent meetings listed below were agenda-only at the time of this report — minutes have not yet been published, so no outcomes or vote tallies are available. Readers should consult official minutes once posted for confirmed decisions.

Board of Selectmen: Wine License for Into the Floyd Concert

The Board of Selectmen held a special meeting on July 30, 2026, that included a request for a one-day wine and malt license for Miranda Jennings, tied to the Into the Floyd Concert at Winchendon Community Park Amphitheater, 86 Ingleside Road. The license would cover August 6–8, 2026, with sales on August 8 only from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. The same meeting also included an appointment of a Monty Tech representative, held jointly with the School Committee.

School Committee: Electronics Recycling Vote and Budget Update

The Winchendon School Committee met on July 23, 2026, with a scheduled vote on a motion to approve the recycling of outdated and damaged electronics. The agenda also included a Superintendent's update on the Strategic Plan draft and a budget update from Business Manager Liz Latoria. No consent agenda or old business items were listed.

Montachusett Regional Vocational Technical School: Policy Reviews and Telephone Lease

Monty Tech's 2026–2027 Policy Subcommittee met July 21 to review policies on student restraint (JKAA), artificial intelligence (IJNDD), and a new cell phone policy, along with adoption of April 8, 2026 minutes. A separate July 29 meeting of the Municipal Representative Appointment Meeting included consideration of a 5-year lease with Icon for a new telephone system, an update on FY26 budget closing, and an update on Athletic Field Complex renovations.

Zoning Board of Appeals: Site Visit at 10 Cummings Road

The Zoning Board conducted a site inspection at 10 Cummings Road on July 21 in connection with Special Permit Application 26-01. No decisions or deliberations were scheduled during the inspection.

Youth Commission: Bylaw Amendments and Park Cleanup

The Winchendon Ad-Hoc Youth Commission met July 23 to discuss and vote on two bylaw amendments — Article IV, Section 4 and Article V, Section 1 (removing the Treasurer role). The agenda also included updates on a park cleanup project, a logo discussion, recruitment letters of interest, and a reflection on the July Teen Night.

Other Recent Meetings

• **Council on Aging** (July 21): Continued a consultant-led discussion on the council's mission and goals at the Old Murdock Senior Center.
• **Parks & Recreation** (July 21): Discussed a rebranding of Winchendon Community Park, a private event proposal, and a coordinator's report.
• **Library Board of Trustees** (July 28): Interviewed a candidate for Library Trustee, discussed the Long Range Plan and Action Plan, and reviewed subcommittee reports on ABA parking, the Book Sale, and the Capital Plan.
• **Charter & Bylaw Review Committee** (July 29): Met via Zoom to vote on meeting minutes and conduct a live review of the Town Charter.

Coming Up

• **Board of Health** — August 3: Fee schedule updates, a tobacco permit for One Stop Convenience, and appointment of a representative to the Fire Station Building Committee.
• **Planning Board** — August 4: Public hearing on a site plan and stormwater permit for Allain Sitework LLC to construct three 7,500 sq ft contractors' garages at 0 School Street.
• **Parks & Recreation** — August 4: Discussion of a $50,000 grant awarded for an NFC Fitness Court, plus planning for the Into the Floyd event (August 8), Italian Street Fest (August 15), and a Softball Batting Clinic (August 13).
• **Audit Committee** — August 5: Appointment of a new committee member and election of Chair, Vice Chair, and Clerk.
• **Historic Commission** — August 12: Routine monthly meeting with no substantive action items listed.