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2002 Population...................1,007
2005 Registered voters..................675
1999 Per capita income..............$19,701
2005 Average tax bill................$1,978
1999 Median family income...........$60,147
2003 Budget......................$1,309,397
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Town Hall....978)544-3395,(978)544-7467 fax
Town Clerk....................Anna Hartjens
Treasurer....................Carolyn Manley
Police Chief...................Edward Chase
Fire Chief............Everett Ricketts, Sr.
School Supt..................Linda Driscoll
Selectboard...........(chair)Theodore Lewis
Christine Heard
Daniel Keller
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Wendell State Forest, features the Ruggles Pond recreation
area, which can be reached by taking Wendell Road from the center of
Millers Falls, Wendell Depot Road from Route 2A in Orange, or Cooleyville Road
from Route 202 in Shutesbury. The area features a large ball field, picnic
areas, swimming and fishing in Ruggles Pond, and groomed cross-country
skiing trails. The 7,900-acre forest also includes Wickett Pond, which has
a boat ramp, Mormon Hollow Brook and offers opportunities for hiking,
horseback riding, snowmobiling, fishing and hunting. Several dirt roads
crisscross the forest.
Wendell Old Home Days is usually held the second weekend in
August in the center of town, featuring music, crafts, games and food. Call
978-544-3395 for further information.
Full Moon Coffee House, located in the Town Hall, presents
monthly concerts on the Saturday night closest to the full moon. The
musical performers range from solo artists to groups. Proceeds go to non-profit
organizations for which the performances are organized. Call 978-544-2086
for further information.
Metacomet-Monadnock Trail, is a marked interstate footpath
linking Connecticut to Mount Monadnock in New Hampshire. The track goes
into Wendell, Erving, Northfield, Warwick and Royalston. In Wendell, the
trail runs from the Ruggles Pond parking area inside Wendell State Forest and
follows into Erving. White rectangular blazes mark the trail along which
can be found scenic vistas. Call 978-249-3849 for a trail guide.
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Wendell, one of the hilltowns of eastern Franklin County, was
incorporated on May 8, 1781. Its territory was originally composed of a tract
taken from the north part of Shutesbury and that part of Ervingshire (now
Erving) which lay south of the Millers River. On February 28, 1803, a
tract known as "Benjamin Hill Gore" and a one-mile wide strip
from Montague were added.
The first settlement was made as early as 1754 by Thomas Osgood and
others. Upon incorporation in 1781, a town meeting was held at the house of
Jonathan Osgood, where the parish and town meeting were mostly held until 1783.
Deacon Osgood was chosen as moderator; James Ross as clerk; Lot Pain, John
Ross and Samuel Denny as selectmen; and Nathan Brewer and John
Wetherbee,as tything-men.
Also in 1781, provision was made for building a meeting house, which
was furnished with a bell by Judge Olvier Wendell of Boston, in whose
honor the town is named. A Congregational Church was formed on November 30,
1774. In this church, Reverand Abraham Hill preached in proportion to the
amount of taxes that were paid. A meeting house was erected in 1783. On June
11, 1799, a Baptist Church was formed, under the preaching and influence
of Smallidge. The Baptists erected their first house of worship in 1819.
The first road that opened in Wendell was one from Shutesbury in 1756.
During the same year, a country road was opened through the south part
from Montague to New Salem. The old road from New Salem through Wendell center
and Montague was located in 1762.
For the first 50 years, the people depended almost entirely upon their
farms for a livelihood. Grain, flax, cattle, sheep and swine were the
products. Shingles, broom handles and staves were shaved out during the long
winter evenings. Extensive forest land has made logging an ongoing
business for many years. |
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