Templeton MA

Templeton MA Local News and Community Information

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• Templeton Budget and Meetings

  

  Budget, Elections, and Meetings Templeton MA

  April 16, 2026: Advisory Committee Meeting (6:30 PM).

  April 16, 2026: Advisory Committee Meeting (6:30 PM). — May 13, 2026: Annual Town Meeting (6:00 PM) at Narragansett Regional Middle School Auditorium. — Select Board Meetings: Generally held on Mondays twice a month at 6:30 PM at the Town Hall Conference Room. 

  Upcoming Elections (2026)

  • September 1, 2026: State Primary Election.
  • November 3, 2026: State Election. 

  Budget Context

  The town is currently processing FY27 budget requests, following a March 7, 2026 presentation day where various departments—including Public Works, Fire/EMS, and Sewer—submitted their proposals. 

  For the most up-to-date schedule, residents are encouraged to check the official “Notify Me” feature on the town website or the TCTV YouTube channel for live-streamed meetings.

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• Templeton – April 2026

  

  Templeton MA – April 2026

  April 2026 in Templeton, MA, features several municipal meetings, a notable state holiday, and community-based activities in the surrounding area.

  Local Government Meetings

  Public meetings are held throughout the month at the Templeton Town Hall or the Senior Center, unless otherwise noted. — Select Board: Meetings are scheduled for April 6 and April 27 at 6:30 PM. — Planning Board: A regular meeting is set for Tuesday, April 14, at 6:30 PM. —Other Boards: —Agricultural Commission: April 6 at 6:00 PM. — Board of Health: April 7 at 7:00 PM. — Community Preservation Committee: April 9 at 7:00 PM. — Advisory Committee: April 16 at 6:30 PM. — Conservation Commission: April 21 at 6:30 PM.

  Holidays and Observances

  Good Friday: Observed on April 3. While not an official state holiday, local schools often close for spring recess around this time.

  Patriots’ Day: A major state holiday on Monday, April 20, commemorating the start of the Revolutionary War. Expect local government closures.

  Arbor Day: Observed on the last Friday of the month, April 24.

  Community Activities & Events

  While specific large-scale festivals in Templeton for 2026 are still being finalized, the following nearby activities are scheduled:

  Weekly Run/Walk: Starting Saturday, April 4, at 8:30 AM, a recurring Saturday morning run/walk begins at the Nutrition Hub.

  Seth Newton Live: Performance at The Otter River Pub in Baldwinville (part of Templeton) on Thursday, April 30, at 7:00 PM.

  Athol Big Cheese 5K: A family-friendly race with wacky costumes held nearby on Saturday, April 11, at 9:30 AM.

  Pond Skim 2026: A seasonal tradition at Wachusett Mountain on Sunday, April 12, at 12:00 PM

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• Templeton – March 2026

  

  Highlighting Goings-on in Templeton MA for March 2026

  The Chair Man and the Chair Lady speak of it all in this podcast which you can listen to on any device, CLICK PLAY.

  Various events and deadlines are coming up in Templeton, MA. Nomination papers for the town election are due March 26th. Dogs should be licensed by the end of March. Statutory exemption applications and unpaid excise tax bill demands are due April 1st. And, there’s only about a month left for the open burning season which ends on May 1st.

  In a recent update, officials focused on the draft of the fiscal 2027 budget, managing payroll, and processing property tax assessment. Our infographic below details public services and infrastructure, parks and recreation, public safety and health, land use, and community services.

  

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• Firefighter Graduates March 2026

  

  Phillipston and Templeton Firefighters among Graduates of Call/Volunter Recruit Class #124

  
  The 33 members of Call/Volunteer Recruit Class #124 graduated at the Department of Fire Services’ main campus in Stow on the night of March 11. They represent the fire departments of Athol, Ayer, Douglas, Grafton, Hardwick, Hatfield, Lincoln, Medfield, Mendon, Millbury, Millville, Northbridge, Orange, Pepperell, Phillipston, Sherborn, Sterling, Sturbridge, Templeton, and West Boylston. In the class: Phillipston Firefighter Ryan Levesque and Templeton Firefighter Mat Demar.

  “Massachusetts Firefighting Academy instructors draw on decades of experience in the fire service to train new recruits,” said MFA Recruit Program Coordinator Dean Babineau. “Through consistent classroom instruction and practical exercises, these graduates have developed the tools they’ll need to protect themselves, their communities, and each other.”

  The Call/Volunteer Firefighter Recruit Training Program is unique in that it delivers a standard recruit training curriculum, meeting national standards, on nights and weekends to accommodate the schedule of firefighters in suburban and rural areas. Making the training more accessible means more firefighters can participate and allows them more time to practice training skills with instructors.

  
  The MFA, a division of the Department of Fire Services, has offered the program since 2003. More than 3,000 call and volunteer recruits have graduated since then.

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• Templeton 2-9-26

  

  Templeton Select Board Meeting Covered Municipal Business Including Personnel, the Tax Rate, and Projects.

  Listen to the entire 3 Hour meeting on any device, CLICK PLAY.

  
  The February 9, 2026, Templeton Select Board meeting covered a broad range of municipal business, starting with a public comment from the Cable TV Advisory Committee regarding the necessity of sustainable funding for TCTV. The board addressed several personnel changes, including the retirement of Bob Sozek and the appointment of Nicole Roberts to the Planning Board.

  Departmental quarterly reports highlighted a decrease in the town tax rate and the completion of various community preservation projects, such as the Houghton Park playground. The Town Administrator received approval to utilize a $200,000 state earmark for infrastructure planning near Route 2 and to pursue regional grants for community trails.

  Significant time was also spent discussing personnel policy updates related to holiday schedules and the legal complexities of the regional school agreement with the town of Philipston. Finally, the board authorized the issuance of a sewer bond and approved private donations intended for the Senior Center.

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• 84 Templeton Trees

  

  Hearing in Templeton to Decide Fate of 84 Trees in 3 different areas

  The Town of Templeton will have a public hearing on February 19, 2026 at 16 Senior Drive on Bridge Street, for the purpose of discussing 84+ trees slated for removal. Species of the trees are diverse
  including Oak, Pine, and Hemlock—located near the Bridge Street substation. The process is overseen by the Director of Public Works, who serves as the Tree Warden. Under municipal regulations, any removal of trees along public ways or designated scenic roads requires formal hearings and official oversight to ensure compliance with maintenance standards for public shade trees.

  The Town of Templeton maintains specific channels for reporting tree-related problems or inquiring about public shade tree status. • Standard Business Hours: The DPW Office is available Monday through Friday, 7:00 am to 3:00 pm, at (978) 939-8666. • After-Hours Emergencies: Issues occurring outside of standard business hours are directed to the town dispatcher at (978) 939-5638.

  

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• Salt Shortage – Templeton

  

  Town of Templeton Plans to Salt Roads After Storm is over on Monday due to Salt Shortage

  Due to a shortage of road salt, the Town of Templeton has announced that it will salt the roads on Monday after the storm ends. Here is the Press Release from the Town of Templeton: “We have been notified by our road salt vendor of a regional shortage of road salt due to salt vessels stuck out at sea in storms. Templeton has several loads ordered but will not receive anymore deliveries until mid of next week.

  The Town’s ability to fully treat all roadways is limited at this time. With inclement weather continuing through the weekend, residents are urged to use extreme caution when traveling. Road conditions may be icy and slippery, particularly on untreated side streets, hills, bridges, and shaded areas. Please slow down, allow extra travel time, and avoid unnecessary travel if possible. Pedestrians are also reminded to use caution on sidewalks and walkways. (Please be safe)

  DPW crews will continue to monitor conditions and prioritize main roads, emergency routes, and public safety areas as resources allow. We appreciate residents’ patience and cooperation as we work through this temporary supply issue. Templeton DPW plans are as follows: pretreatment will be to use brine if road conditions cooperate.

  Once we get plowable snow, trucks will be plowing throughout the storm. We have enough road salt to treat the town twice which will be after the storm is over on Monday. Thank You for your patience and understanding.”

  UPDATE 1-23-26 11:18am – Town of Winchendon has similar issue. Here is the post from the Town of Winchendon:

  “Due to a regional shortage of road salt deliveries, the Town’s ability to fully treat all roadways is limited at this time. With inclement weather expected tonight and continuing through the weekend, residents are urged to use extreme caution when traveling.

  Road conditions may be icy and slippery, particularly on untreated side streets, hills, bridges, and shaded areas. Please slow down, allow extra travel time, and avoid unnecessary travel if possible. Pedestrians are also reminded to use caution on sidewalks and walkways.

  DPW crews will continue to monitor conditions and prioritize main roads, emergency routes, and public safety areas as resources allow. We appreciate residents’ patience and cooperation as we work through this temporary supply issue.”

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• Templeton MA History page

  

  Templeton MA History and Profile Page

  Gardner Magazine has a special page loaded with narrative and rich infographics, plus a “Deep Dive” podcast on the history and profile of Templeton, Massachusetts. For the complete page, CLICK HERE.

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• Year Ahead – Zlotnik 2026

  

  The Year Ahead –2026 – A Comprehensive Interview with Jonathan Zlotnik

  Gardner Magazine spoke with State Representative Jonathan Zlotnik on January 8, 2026. We review 2025 and we speak about the year ahead, 2026. Listen to the entire interview on any device, CLICK PLAY.

  Gardner Magazine Publisher Werner Poegel and Jonathan Zlotnik took a look back at 2025 with some key achievements being a savings of $100,000 annually simply by effectuating the merger of the Winchendon and Gardner District Courts into the Winchendon-Gardner District Court, securing $10 million in infrastructure funding, and being involved in an important Veterans Housing project in Winchendon. 2026 Top priorities include education, the housing crisis, and infrastructure as is detailed more fully below and in a detailed infographic.

  

  Gardner Magazine has prepared a briefing document with key themes and priorities from State Representative Jonathan Zlotnik. CLICK HERE for PDF and a Report entitled: “the $100,000 Hyphen: 5 Lessons from Local Government, CLICK HERE for PDF — or — CLICK HERE to view the text in a separate page.

  
  In 2025, significant achievements included securing over $10 million for water and sewer infrastructure in the district, championing a revised road funding formula that benefits rural communities, and advancing major youth service initiatives like “The Hub” in Winchendon and the Gardner Community Youth Center. A cornerstone project, the redevelopment of two Winchendon schools into 44 units of veterans’ housing, moved forward with approximately 90% state funding.

  
  Looking ahead to 2026, Representative Zlotnik’s top priorities are twofold: ensuring the full and continued funding of the Student Opportunity Act to provide stable support for K-12 education, and aggressively addressing the regional housing crisis through state investment in redevelopment projects. Supporting priorities include ensuring the financial sustainability of Heywood Healthcare, continuing investment in youth services and infrastructure, and strengthening local food security systems. Throughout, Zlotnik contrasts the Massachusetts legislature’s track record of consensus-building with federal-level gridlock, underscoring a pragmatic approach to governance.

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• TEAM Recognition

  

  TEAM Excellence and Merit Award Given to Local First Responders for Frozen Lake Rescue

  Worcester County District Attorney Joseph D Early Jr. has recognized first responders who swift and coordinated actions led to the successful rescue of two adults who fell through the ice on Queen Lake earlier this year. Members of the responding agencies – including Phillipston Fire and EMS, Phillipston Police Department, the Phillipston Highway Department, Templeton Fire and Police Department, and Athol Fire Department– were presented with the District Attorney’s Team Excellence and Merit (TEAM) Award, which recognizes outstanding action and service by those in public safety.

  On February 20, 2025, Phillipston Fire and EMS were dispatched to Queen Lake near Lambs Cove after two individuals broke through the ice roughly 100 feet from shore. One of the victims managed to call 911 using their smartwatch, reporting that both were partially atop the ice but unable to move due to rapidly deteriorating conditions.

  The responding Phillipston police officer arrived on scene and confirmed visual contact with both victims, who were conscious and alert but still trapped. Within minutes, Phillipston Fire personnel arrived with the department’s ice rescue sled and boat. Two firefighters donned ice rescue suits, tethered themselves to a vehicle on shore, and entered the water with the department’s “banana boat.” Rescuers reached the first victim, pulling them onto solid ice, before moving to the second victim, removing their snowshoes, and securing them onto the rescue sled. Both individuals were safely extricated within seven minutes, with assistance from mutual aid arriving on scene. Templeton Fire paramedics evaluated the victims, who declined transport to the hospital.

  “This rescue was a total team effort,” Mr. Early said. “From the 911 call to the rapid arrival of police, fire, and EMS, every part of the response worked exactly as it should. Their training, coordination, and courage prevented a tragedy that day.” Mr. Early commended all agencies involved, noting that their professionalism and teamwork embody the spirit of the TEAM Award. “This rescue was a great team effort between all the responding personnel on that cold winter day. They quickly used ice and rope rescue skills to successfully rescue these two individuals within just seven minutes of being on scene,” said Phillipston Police Chief William Chapman and Phillipston/Athol Fire Department Chief Jeffrey Parker.

  The TEAM Award was created by Mr. Early in 2019 to recognize public safety employees who go above and beyond the call of duty. Contact the Worcester County District Attorney’s Office at (508) 755-8601 to nominate someone for this award.

  The Team Award was Presented to:

  Phillipston Police Department Officer Jennifer Harding Phillipston Fire Department Captain John Seamon, Jr. FF/EMT Laurie Parker FF/First Responder Cesar Franco-Uribe

  Templeton Police Department Officer Noah Welch Templeton Fire Department FF/Paramedic Kyle Daniels FF/Paramedic Andrew Francis

  Athol Fire Department Chief Jeffrey Parker Captain Jamal Hamilton Captain Andy Soltysik FF/EMT Bruce Dubrule FF/EMT Owen Anderholm

  Templeton Regional Dispatch Dispatcher Ariana Deery Dispatcher Eric Baker Phillipston Highway Department Highway Superintendent Rick Tenney Highway Worker Scott Boutwell

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