Town Government
Town Departments
Finding the Right Department
Most of what residents need from the town runs through a department, not an elected official: paying a bill, pulling a permit, reporting a problem, registering to vote. In Wendell the departments answer to the elected Select Board, and much of the work is overseen by boards the voters elect directly. Two of the town’s public-safety services are shared with neighbors: policing comes from the Leverett Police under a cooperative agreement, and building inspection comes from a Franklin County regional program.
The directory below covers the departments residents contact most. For the full list, hours, and staff, visit wendellmass.us. The Town Offices are at 9 Morse Village Road, and office hours vary by department.
Department Directory
| Town Clerk | Records, licenses, vital records, the town census, and elections. Town Clerk Anna Wetherby. 978-544-3395 ext. 2. |
|---|---|
| Highway Department | Roads, snow plowing, and repair of about 46 miles of road, roughly half of it gravel, from the Highway Garage on Jackie Lane. Supervisor Allen W. Frost. 978-544-3735. |
| Board of Health | Inspections, wells and septic, and public health, under a board the voters elect. Board of Health Clerk Tom Siefert. 978-544-3395 ext. 6. |
| Police | Wendell has no police department of its own; policing is provided by the Leverett Police under a cooperative agreement. Chief Scott D. Minckler. Non-emergency 413-548-4994; dispatch through Shelburne Control, 413-625-8200. |
| Fire Department | Fire suppression, prevention, and rescue, from the Fire Station on Jackie Lane. Fire Chief Matthew O’Donnell. 978-544-3500. |
| Town Coordinator | Staffs the Selectboard office, prepares agendas and warrants, and is the town’s front door for residents. Kelly Tyler. 978-544-3395 ext. 0. |
| Wendell Free Library | Books, programs, computers, and a card good at libraries across the state through the CW/MARS network, at 7 Wendell Depot Road. Library Director Miriam Warner. 978-544-3559. |
| Treasurer | Town funds, payroll, and cash management. Treasurer Carolyn Manley. 978-544-3395 ext. 5. |
| Tax Collector | Real estate, motor vehicle, and other tax bills. Tax Collector Penny Delorey. 978-544-3395 ext. 1. |
| Building Inspection | Building permits and zoning, provided regionally by the Franklin County Cooperative Inspection Program. Building Commissioner Jim Hawkins. 413-774-3167 x113. |
| Board of Assessors | Property values, abatements, and exemptions, under a board the voters elect. 978-544-3395. |
| Recycling & Transfer Station (WRATS) | Trash, recycling, and the transfer station, overseen with the Road Commission. |
Town departments carry out state and local law. See how Massachusetts government connects to your town.