Royalston MA

Royalston MA Local News and Community Information

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• Royalston – Whitney Hall

  

  Royalston – Whitney Hall Study Complete

  From Town of Royalston: “Keen Independent Research has completed its months-long marketing study of Whitney Hall. Please plan to come hear their final report at a public meeting on Thursday, February 29, 2024 at 6:30 in the Upstairs Hall, Town Hall, 13 On the Common.”

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• Royalston Elections

  Nomination papers are available for various town positions are are due back no later than February 12, 2024 by 5pm. You can see the town clerk Wednesdays from 10 to 2 at Whitney Hall, 5 School Street in Royalston. For more details, CLICK HERE.

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• Electric Update

  

  National Grid to Update over 100 Year-Old Transmission Lines

  In 1909, the 69 kilovolt transmission lines were constructed and materials were brought in at the time by horse and buggy. Today, modern equipment will be used to bring this part of the grid up to date before there are problems due to the aging system.

  National Grid is proposing the A1/B2 Asset Condition Refurbishment project to replace these lines “as they are approaching the end of their asset life. The scope to rebuild these lines includes structure replacements, structure foundations, new conductor, and right-of-way access improvements where necessary along the approximate 61 miles of existing right-of-way.” An Open House is scheduled at Gardner City Hall on Thursday August 24, 2023 at 5pm. National Grid will have team members present from a variety of departments to answer questions. Note that the new infrastructure will be built, put into service, and then service to the old lines will be discontinued with the old structures subsequently removed. In that manner, power remains up during the project duration which is expected to take from 2024 to 2028.

  National Grid has a short, informative video on a website put up for this project. There are also additional details on the page, CLICK HERE.

  This 61 mile project originates in Vernon, Vermont, travels through Hinsdale and Winchester, New Hampshire then continues through a number of towns within Northern Massachusetts including, Warwick, Royalston, Winchendon, Gardner, Westminster, Fitchburg, Leominster, and Sterling.

  Coming off the mainline, this project also includes the Athol Tap and the Crystal Lake Tap. The Athol Tap runs from Royalston Substation to Chestnut Hill Ave Substation in Athol, Massachusetts. The Crystal Lake Tap runs from Gardner Switching Station to Crystal Lake Substation in Gardner, Massachusetts.

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• Electricity 23

  

  Electric Bill High in Greater Gardner MA? There may be something cheaper…

  EnergySwitchMA.gov allows you to shop for an electric supplier for your home or business. You put in your zip code and a list of suppliers and rates pops out.

  Electric Angst in the Toytown of Winchendon

  For example, the basic service rate in Winchendon MA may be as high as 34 cents. However, at the site there’s a supplier under 17 cents (saving 50%) and several others in the 17 to 20 cent per kilowatt hour range. Click here.

  Electric Frustration in the Chair City of Gardner MA

  In Gardner, basic service has a supply rate of about 34 cents. The City of Gardner negotiated rate is just under 24 cents. However, there’s a supplier for 17 cents and a number well under 20 cents per kilowatt hour. Click here. For example IGS Energy offers a 16.99 cents per kilowatt hour with a 12 month contract or a 17.99 cents per kilowatt hour rate with a 36 month contract. Click here.

  For your community, go to EnergySwitchMA.gov, select Home or Business, put in the zip code, and get the results instantly. CLICK HERE.

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• Mosquitos

  

  Mosquito Control Team Back Again to Greater Gardner MA

  The Central Massachusetts Mosquito Control Project is sending its team to the area on August 4, 11, 18, 25, and September 1.  Dates are tentative and weather permitting.   Requests for service may be recorded by calling  the CMMCP office at (508) 393-3055 between 7am and 3:30pm weekdays.   For more info visit the website.  CLICK  HERE.

• Storm

  

  Severe Thunderstorm with Tornado Warnings Hit parts of Worcester County including Greater Gardner MA on July 21, 2022

  Orange Airport had a wind gust of 58 miles per hour. Athol MA had a storm producing up to 1 inch hail. Route 2 West near Warwick MA closed due to trees falling across highway. The storm passed over many of the towns in the Greater Gardner area including the City of Gardner. A tornado warning was in effect until 4:15pm, having been issued an hour earlier. Tornado Warning now expired. Severe Thunderstorm Warning Eastern Worcester County and Southern New Hampshire until 4:45pm

  Strong storms are expected in other areas of Massachusetts including Middlesex County and Southern New Hampshire until early evening. It is unknown at the time of this report whether a tornado actually touched down. In Eastern Franklin County there were downed trees and some power outages.

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• 988 Lifeline

  

  Nation including Greater Gardner MA has new number for National Suicide Prevention Lifeline

  The new number, 988, is easy to remember and is designed to save lives. The number is accessible across the United States and will connect callers with a trained counselor at any time. You can even text the number and get a response.

  Gardner Magazine found it difficult to find a high quality image, so we’re making it available here in a pdf you can print for the office or workplace. CLICK HERE. — Note: even if you have only a B/W laser printer, print and display this and you may just save a life.

  Note: To avoid confusion, we are not publishing the old longer number which is still working for now.

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• Royalston Results

  Annual Town Election Results, held on April 4, 2022 CLICK HERE

• Covid 4-1-22

  

  Massachusetts Covid Positivity under 2% as of 4-1-22

  Trends bode well for the Greater Gardner area as shown by the map at left. The City of Gardner is identified by the red G.

  CLICK MAP for larger view.

• School Closings

  

  Greater Gardner MA School Closings

  The three network TV affiliates in Boston each publish updated school closing information for our area: Here are the links: ABC — NBC — CBS

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