Hubbardston MA

Hubbardston MA Local News and Community Information

Jump to: Around the Community – Hubbardston Map – Hubbardston Photos – Service pages and outside links — View current Calendar (opens in new window)

• Hubbardston MA – May 2026

  

  Hubbardston MA – May 2026

  The top news stories in Hubbardston, Massachusetts this month focus on upcoming local governance deadlines, municipal developments, infrastructure enforcement, and community traditions.

  Local Elections and Town Governance

  Town Meeting & Election Warrants Posted: Official warrants for the upcoming Annual Town Meeting and Annual Town Election were formally posted by the town constable. The Annual Town Meeting is scheduled for June 1, 2026, while the Town Election will follow on June 9, 2026, at the Hubbardston Center School.

  Voter Registration Deadline: The final deadline for residents to register to vote in the upcoming municipal elections passed on Friday, May 22, 2026.

  Quabbin Regional School Budget: Hubbardston municipal leaders are preparing for a critical joint meeting on May 27, 2026, to finalize the Quabbin Regional School District (QRSD) budget and regional agreements before they are brought to a vote at the town meeting.

  Infrastructure and Enforcement

  Brigham Street Commercial Truck Exclusion: The Select Board and MassDOT have begun full 24/7 enforcement of a Heavy Commercial Vehicle Exclusion on Brigham Street. Commercial trucks are banned from taking Brigham Street from Main Street to Evergreen Road, and must use alternative state routes like Route 68.

  Illegal Dumping Investigation Closed: Hubbardston Police announced they successfully tracked down and summoned two individuals to Gardner District Court for illegally dumping a sectional sofa and trash near Worcester Road.

  Community Events

  Memorial Day Parade and Ceremonies: The town hosted its traditional Memorial Day parade today, May 25, 2026, marching from the Curtis Recreation Field to the Common, followed by a local veterans’ service

  ---

• Hubbardston Select Board Votes on Administrator

  

  Listen to the meeting of May 15, 2026 on any device, CLICK PLAY.

  If you wish to listen to the interviews with all 3 candidates, here is the meeting of May 11, 2026, ,CLICK PLAY.

  Hubbardston Select Board Chooses Alex MaGee for Town Administrator

  At the Hubbardston Select Board meeting of May 15, 2026, The Board voted 3-1 to offer the position to Alex MaGee, (pictured) subject to contract negotiations and a comprehensive background check.

  The Board rejected a prior motion for Gardner City Councilor Elizabeth Kazinskas (1-3) who was one of the three final candidates from an original field of over 70 applicants.

  Regarding Alex McGee, The Board highlighted his Master of Public Administration, his experience as a Finance Director (Hamilton), and his roles in larger municipalities like Andover, Arlington, and Lowell as positive factors in making the choice.

  Negotiation Strategy:

  • a conditional offer was sent via email immediately following the vote offering the position of Town Administrator to Alex McGee.
  • The Board will use historical TA contracts as a template for negotiations.
  • The Board rejected a proposal to have a subcommittee negotiate, opting instead for a full Board executive session to ensure transparency and consensus on salary (advertised range: $130,000–$150,000) and benefits.

  ---

• Hubbardston Sofa Caper

  

  Hubbardston Sofa Caper Solved – Suspects Summoned to Court

  On April 8th, Hubbardston Police reported that the furniture shown in the graphic was illegally dumped in the area of Old Princeton Road and Worcester road that afternoon. The photo of the vehicle allegedly involved in the incident was posted by the Hubbardston PD the following day.

  Two weeks later, Hubbardston Police has stated that “after a thorough investigation, Sergeant Donald Blood was able to identify the two individuals responsible for dumping the sectional sofa just off Worcester Rd. in Hubbardston.” A 25 year old man and a 26 year old man, both from Lawrence, MA have been summoned to Gardner District Court for the alleged illegal dumping. According to the Hubbardston PD, the men were identified by the owner of the company they were working for.

  Good news: Another company has stepped up and donated its time and resources to clean up and properly dispose of the sectional at no cost to the town of Hubbardston. “The Hubbardston Police Department would like to sincerely thank R.M.G. Services for cleaning up and properly disposing of the debris from the illegal dumping on 4/08/2026 on their own time and at their expense.”

  ---

• Fire 4-11-26

  

  Gardner Fire Department Provides Mutual Aid to Hubbardston Brush Fire – Highlights High Fire Risk

  Gardner’s Truck 5, Truck 10, and C1 responded to the Town of Hubbardston on Saturday, April 11, 2026. The firefighters were there to put out a brush fire. GFD posted: “Please use extreme caution when burning outdoors.”

  As of early April 2026, the fire danger level in Greater Gardner and Worcester County is high, driven by an “elevated wildfire risk” from an extended dry spell, lack of significant spring rain, and dry, accumulated vegetation.

  Burn Restrictions: The annual open burning season in Massachusetts runs from January 15th to May 1st, but local fire departments often pause burning due to high fire danger. You must call the Gardner Fire Department to check if permits are activated for the day and to ensure burning is allowed.

  Dry Weather Alert: While some drought conditions in Worcester County improved in early April, the area saw one of its driest Februarys on record, creating a persistent, high-risk situation.

  Precaution: Any spark can trigger rapid spread of fire, so caution is advised when using machinery, cooking, or disposing of smoking materials.

  If you plan on any outdoor burning, please make sure to check the Gardner Fire Department’s burn permit status for that day.

  ---

• Hubbardston MA Budget – Elections – Meetings

  

  Budget, Elections, and Meetings Hubbardston MA

  Several key town meetings and election events are scheduled in Hubbardston, MA, for April, May, and June 2026, including the Annual Town Election and preparation for the Annual Town Meeting.

  Key Upcoming Elections & Deadlines

  Annual Town Election: Tuesday, June 9, 2026, from 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM at the Hubbardston Center School gymnasium.

  Nomination Papers Deadline: Nomination papers for open offices must be returned to the Town Clerk by April 21, 2026, by 5:00 PM.

  Voter Registration Deadline: The deadline to register to vote for the Annual Town Election is Saturday, May 30, 2026.

  Vote by Mail Deadline: Applications for a mail-in ballot for the Town Election must be received by 5:00 PM on June 2, 2026.

  State Primaries: September 1, 2026.

  State Election: November 3, 2026.

  Town Meetings & Budget Discussions

  Annual Town Meeting: While usually held the first Tuesday in June, the Annual Town Meeting is listed for June 1, 2026, though this is subject to change by the Select Board. This meeting is where the operating budget for the upcoming fiscal year is voted on.

  Quabbin Regional Agreement “Listening Session”: A session to discuss revisions to the regional agreement that will be voted on at town meetings was held on March 16, 2026, with further, as-yet-unscheduled meetings expected.

  Budgetary Planning: The Select Board approved moving toward a zero-based budget format for fiscal year 2027 to increase accountability.

  Upcoming Committee Meetings (April 2026)

  Municipal Complex Building Committee: April 14, 2026, 6:00 PM.

  Town Administrator Search Committee: April 15, 2026, 5:30 PM.

  Board of Assessors Meeting: April 15, 2026, 6:00 PM.

  Select Board Public Hearing (National Grid/Verizon): April 21, 2026, 6:30 PM.

  Agricultural Commission Meeting: April 22, 2026, 6:30 PM.

  Board of Health Meeting: April 28, 2026, 7:00 PM.

  Other Important Deadlines

  Town Census Return: Residents are urged to return the annual municipal census by April 15 to avoid voter inactivation.

  Country Hen Scholarship Deadline: April 26, 2026.

  Motor Vehicle Excise Tax: Bills were due on March 16, 2026.

  Note: Meetings are held at 48 Gardner Rd (Town Offices) unless otherwise noted. Always check the official Hubbardston Agenda Center for the most up-to-date information, as meeting dates can change.

  ---

• Hubbardston – April 2026

  

  Hubbardston MA – April 2026

  For April 2026, Hubbardston, MA, features several community traditions, including the seasonal opening of the Rietta Flea Market and the annual Spring Clean Up Day. Residents can also participate in various town-led meetings and local scholarship opportunities.

  Community & Seasonal Events

  Rietta Flea Market Opening Day: The market is scheduled to open for its 60th season on Sunday, April 5, 2026 (weather permitting) off Route 68.

  Spring Clean Up Day: The Hubbardston Historical Society is hosting a cleanup event at Williamsville Chapel on Saturday, April 18, 2026, from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM.

  Keep Hubbardston Beautiful Day: This community-wide cleanup initiative is scheduled for Sunday, April 19, 2026.

  Animal Adventures Story Time: Weekly story sessions are held at Animal Adventures on Burnshirt Rd, including:

  Toddler Story Time: Wednesdays (April 1 and April 8) at 10:00 AM.

  General Story Time (Ages 2-6): Thursdays (April 2) at 10:00 AM.

  Town Government & Public Meetings

  Most town meetings take place at the Main Conference Room at 48 Gardner Rd. —Town Administrator Search Committee: Wednesday, April 1 at 5:30 PM. — Board of Library Trustees: Thursday, April 2 at 7:00 PM. — Emergency Management Planning Committee: Tuesday, April 7 at 1:00 PM. — Conservation Commission: Tuesday, April 7 at 7:00 PM. — Planning Board: Wednesday, April 8 at 6:30 PM. — Board of Assessors: Wednesday, April 15 at 6:00 PM. — Board of Health: Tuesday, April 28 at 7:00 PM.

  Deadlines & Important Notices

  Scholarship Application: The Country Hen Scholarship for graduating high school seniors from Hubbardston must be completed online by April 26, 2026.

  Bridge Closure: The Burnshirt River Bridge on Williamsville Rd remains closed for replacement. Travelers should follow detours via Burnshirt Road and Kruse Road

  ---

• Hubbardston – March 2026

  

  An Overview of Upcoming Events in Hubbardston MA for March 2026

  Listen to a “Deep Dive” going over all the details on any device, CLICK PLAY.

  Our infographic provides details for Hubbardston Massachusetts with various municipal updates and community services. This year, Hubbardston saw the appointment of an interim Town Administrator and the opening of several employment opportunities within local government. Key public notices include upcoming town elections, scholarship applications for students, and workshops regarding local land use. We also mention once again the HubbConnect digital platform and updated accessibility plans to comply with the ADA. Keep Hubbardston Beautiful Day is April 19th, the 10th Annual Hubbardston Fair is June 6th, the annual town election is June 9th, and of course, Rietta Flea Market opens for the season Sunday, April 5th. Excise taxes were due March 16th – Pay now to avoid the headache of a penalty letter in the mail

  

  ---

• Rietta opening April 5th

  

  Rietta Flea Market, off Route 68 in Hubbardston, Massachusetts is opening for the season on April 5, 2026.

  Rietta Flea Market Readies for April 5th Opening

  2026 is Rietta’s 60^th year. The vendor fee is still $40 per table, a price that Rietta Flea Market has held for 7 years. Listen to this “Deep Dive” podcast about Rietta on any device.

  View this short Video about Rietta:

  Rietta Flea Market is located off Route 68 in Hubbardston,MA and is opening for the season on April 5, 2026 (weather permitting) Whether you’re a vendor looking for the thousands of customers or a customer visiting for the possible bargains or the great food, Rietta Flea Market is what a great Sunday is all about. Visit the website: RiettaFleaMarket.com

  

  ---

• Hubbardston Bridge Closure

  Work is beginning on the Burnshirt River Bridge in Hubbardston and the bridge is closed. The construction project to replace the inferior bridge will last for over a year. Detour will utilize Burnshirt Road, Thompson Road, and Kruse Road. Expect delays.

  ---

• Wachusett MRC

  

  The 22 Communities served by the Wachusett Medical Reserve Corps

  

  Here is a PDF from the Wachusett MRC featuring photos of them in action, CLICK HERE.

  FOCUS on NON-PROFIT – Wachusett Medical Reserve Corps

  The Wachusett Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) is a 501(c)3 non-profit volunteer organization based in Hubbardston, MA and established 20 years ago on March 11, 2006. They cover 22 communities in North Central Massachusetts. It is part of a national network of 800 units which integrates medical professional and community volunteers to bolster local emergency response, public health initiatives, and community resilience. We have a complete page of reports on the organization covering every aspect, CLICK HERE.

  Jump to a section on the page:

  CLICK LINK: Wachusett Medical Reserve Corps: Twenty Years of Community Resilience — Two Decades of Community Resilience: Wachusett Medical Reserve Corps 20-Year Impact Report (2006–2026) —-Understanding the Wachusett Medical Reserve Corps (MRC): A Guide to Local Resilience —-Operations Guide: Strategic Integration of the Wachusett Medical Reserve Corps — Impact in Action: A Guide to Wachusett Medical Reserve Corps Activities

  Listen to this “Deep Dive” podcast explaining it all on any device, CLICK PLAY.

  Watch this short video about the organization and how you can be involved:

  ---

Around the Community of Hubbardston MA

• 

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  In the Community

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

Other Helpful Resources on the WebTech Online Network