Overview:
A proposal to borrow $16.6 million to construct an addition to the fire station in Winchendon was defeated at a Special Town Meeting. The existing fire station, built in 1978, has been deemed unsafe for firefighters and paramedics. The proposal was defeated on a tie vote, with opponents citing the town's financial situation and the cost of homeowners insurance.
WINCHENDON – An article seeking nearly $17 million to construct an addition to the fire station was defeated at Monday’s Special Town Meeting.
Some 265 voters gathered in the gym at Murdock Middle High School to dispense with the two articles on the warrant in a little over an hour.
Article 2 sought to borrow $16.6 million to construct, equip, and furnish an addition to the fire station, while also renovating the existing structure. The station was constructed in 1978.
Maple Street resident Rick Lucier moved to amend the article by postponing any vote until the Annual Town Meeting in May 2026. Lucier suggested the postponement, “In order for the residents of the town to assess their tax obligations after they receive their January taxes.” The amendment was vote down.
Joe Sackett, who lives on East Monomonac Road, told the audience, “We had the opportunity to tour the fire station with Chief (Tom) Smith last Saturday, and he gave a compelling case for the town’s fire station needs. He took us to every room and described how unsafe it was for our firefighters and paramedics.”
Sackett noted the strong smell of diesel in the station’s living quarters, a single sink serving the needs of both the kitchen and for washing up, and the small turnout area where firefighters don their firefighting gear.
“Our protectors need the renovations, basic life safety improvements, and we deserve the improved protections they will provide,” he said.
“I worked for a community that wasted $18 million on a police station and I can’t see why we have to spend $16.6 million on a fire station here,” said Buck St. Pierre of Town Farm Road. “We have a lot of elderly people here who are struggling to pay their bills. Homeowners insurance has gone sky high because of the cost of wildfires and hurricanes across this country. And they expect us to pay more for a fire station, which the town chose not to maintain for a number of years.”
The debate between supporters and opponents of the proposal went on for about a half-hour before the vote was finally called. Ultimately, the proposal was defeated on a tie vote.
Article 1 asked voters to authorize town officials to impose a 6% local excise tax on the rental of any “room or rooms in a bed and breakfast…hotel, lodging house, short-term rental, or motel…” as allowed under state law. The tax would go into effect July 1 of next year, if approved. Town Manager Bill McKinney said that, according to the state, approximately $30,000 could be raised annually from the new tax.
Selectboard Chair Audrey LaBrie told the audience, “We need to look at every option, every opportunity, every method to address the financial situation in town.”
LaBrie eventually voted to amend the article by reducing the proposed tax to 3%.
“Much like the meals tax and the cannabis excise tax, the state actually collects all the funds. Then, if the town implements this additional tax, it diverts it back to us,” McKinney said. “So, the town doesn’t actually have to do any work for this. Anyone who is registered with the state as a lodging establishment is already collecting state taxes and turning them over to the state.”
In the end, both LaBrie’s amendment and the original article were defeated.