Town Newsletter

As winter approaches, I encourage everyone to embrace the beauty and charm that New England brings this time of year. Whether you enjoy outdoor recreation, festive gatherings, or simply watching the snowfall, there are many wonderful activities in and around Hinsdale to brighten the season. Another process that can be surprisingly enjoyable to observe this time of year is our annual Town Budget process. The Board of Selectmen and the Budget Committee will be meeting to review Town Department budgets on December 8th and December 17th at 6:00 PM in the Town Hall Auditorium. These sessions offer residents a valuable opportunity to learn more about how your Town government operates, get to know the members of the Board and Budget Committee, and participate in discussions that help shape Hinsdale’s future. Your voice and perspective are always welcome. Looking ahead, the Public Hearing on the budget and warrant articles is scheduled for the first week of February, as determined by the State for communities that hold a Traditional Town Meeting. This hearing is your chance to take part in the formal process of reviewing and accepting the warrant articles that will appear on the ballot for voting in March. We hope to see many of you there and wish everyone a safe, warm, and joyful winter season.

Kathryn Lynch — Town Administrator

The Hinsdale Highway Department is made up of a dedicated five-person crew. Bob Truesdell serves as Highway Superintendent, with Wayne Dingman as Foreman. The team also includes operators Nate Johnson, Dylan Drake, and Joe Hammond. Together, they bring a combined 35 years of experience serving the Town of Hinsdale. All members of the crew are proud Hinsdale residents—most grew up here, attended local schools, and now have children in the Hinsdale school system. Their roots in the community run deep.

The Highway Department is responsible for maintaining all town-owned roads. Major routes such as Route 63, Northfield Road, Chesterfield Road, Route 119, and Brattleboro Road are maintained by the State of New Hampshire. The department stays busy year-round—paving and repairing roads in the summer and plowing in the winter. Last year, storms fell on nearly every major holiday, and instead of spending that time with their families, this team was out ensuring our roads were safe for travelers. In addition to road work, the Highway Department maintains all town park facilities, including Jackwood Park, Heritage Park, the Millstream River Front Park and Prentiss Taylor Field. A heartfelt thank you to the entire crew for their hard work, dedication, and commitment to keeping Hinsdale safe and running smoothly!

The Secretary of State’s office has information on their website – with the new voting law changes which took effect on 9/30. (You can find the link to the information on our town website under town clerk department.) Register to Vote – in the State of NH requirements: You will complete a Voter Registration Form and provide proof of being: A United States citizen – (U.S. birth certificate, U.S. passport/passport card, naturalization papers, other proof of citizenship issued by the United States Department of State.) At least 18 years old on election day (driver’s license, government issued photo ID, Passport/passport card) A resident in the town you seek to register in. NH driver’s license or Non-drivers ID along with vehicle registration, or federal picture identification, government issued check, benefit statement, or tax document with the current domicile address listed. Register as a Democrat, Republican, or Undeclared voter Register at the town clerk’s office during regular office hours. Or with the Supervisors of the checklist during their special posted evening hours on the town clerk website. Polling Location – Millstream Community Center – Main St DMV/Title – January 1 2026 will be increasing their vehicle registration fees and titling fees. Veterans with disabled veterans license plates are eligible for a walking disability placard with no further documentation under RSA 261:88. This is due to their evaluation by the US Department of Veterans Affairs without the need for additional proof. Veterans’ plates at the Town Clerk’s office - Any veteran showing their DD214 which shows their discharge to be “under honorable conditions” to be eligible to receive veterans’ plates – NOTE – If this is the first time you are receiving veterans plates – the DMV does need to be contacted at the time of your visit to the Town Clerk office in order to scan them your DD214 document.

Thank you, Julie, Kim and Donna

Toddler Playgroup

Every Other Friday 5:pm – 7:00pm

For ages 0-5 years  

Holiday Meal Boxes

Looking for a way to help your community this holiday season?

The Hinsdale Food Shelf needs donations to help fill our Holiday Meal Boxes.

Holiday needs:

Baked Beans, canned pineapple, carrots, biscuit / roll dough, mac and cheese (shells), sugar cookie dough, vanilla icing, decorating sprinkles.

All items can be dropped off at the Hinsdale Community Center Mon-Fri 9am-2pm or by appointment.

Upcoming Events at the Community Center

Adult Bingo 5pm-8pm  Dec 8th, Jan 13th, Feb 17th

Candy Bar Bingo  6pm-8:30pm  Jan 9th, Feb 6th

Kids Holiday Gift Making Dec 15, 16,18 2pm-5:30pm

Gingerbread house decorating Dec 21, 3pm

Stocking Stuffer Exchange (Dates and times to be announced)

Winter Break Kids Event (Dates and times to be announced)

Paint Events

Family Ornament Painting Dec 17

Adult Paint Night Dec 22, Jan 19

Senior Paint Party Feb 3

Partner Paint Event Feb 14

Senior Luncheons

Third Tuesday of each month 12noon  Dec 16, Jan 20, Feb 17 (Please call to sign up)

Recurring Events

Senior Sneakers Mon, Tues, Thurs 10am

Fiber Arts Tues 11am

Cribbage Club Mon 12 noon (Starts Jan 12)

Chess Club  Thurs 12 noon (starts Jan 15)

The Springfield Thunderbirds held their annual School Day Game on November 12, 2025, at the MassMutual Center, where they defeated the Lava Rockets 3–1. This annual event brings hundreds of local students together for an educational experience that blends sports with science and other subjects. Thanks to a grant from the Hinsdale Education Foundation, Ms. Green was able to take her science class to the game, and they had a wonderful outing. Students returned with homework assignments asking them to identify examples of the laws of motion and other science concepts they observed during the game. A big thank-you to the Hinsdale Education Foundation for helping make this opportunity possible!

In a machine shop here, in Hinsdale on Canal Street George A. Long built a self-propelled steam vehicle in 1875, the Long steam tricycle, for which he received one of the nation's earliest automobile patents. The Long steam tricycle appears to be one of the earliest preserved examples of a steam tricycle, built by George Alvin Long around 1880 and patented in 1883. One example was built, which after some years of use was dismantled and the parts dispersed. In 1946, one John H. Bacon, with assistance from the 96-year-old Long, reassembled the machine, which is now on display at the Smithsonian Institution. The example at the Smithsonian has been noted as the "oldest completely operable self-propelled road vehicle in the museum.