Town of Winchendon

Master Plan

2001

 

 

“Since the founding of our federation of states, we have enjoyed the privilege of a freewheeling, frontier-type expansion and growth.

The idea existed that resources were inexhaustible, that land was unlimited, and was every person's right to do as he or she damn well

pleased so long that it could not be shown to be directly and overtly harmful to someone else… For better or worse, we must begin to

recognize we cannot retain a frontier mentality in an ever-expanding, socially complex 21st century world.  This is, and will continue to be,

something with which we all must learn to deal and live with.

… each of us must recognize that we have an individual moral responsibility to do our best to improve our community, large or small, as well as

our total environment.  Planning for our cities, towns, and villages is the major means by which the environment, community character, and our

own individual way of life can be improved and our responsibility met.”

****Herbert Smith, “The Citizen's Guide to Planning”, 1993****