Westminster MA

Westminster MA Local News and Community Information

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• Westminster – Town Crier Episode 18

  

  Westminster Releases Town Crier Episode 18

  Westminster Town Administrator Stephanie Lahtinen speaks about the January Storm, has some winter safety suggestions, and speaks about the upcoming budget process in the latest edition of the town’s podcast. Listen on any device, CLICK PLAY.

  Lahtinen recaps the last major winter storm, reporting that Westminster got 24 inches of snow. The Fiscal Year 2027 Budget process has begun. The Select Board will maintain a bi-monthly meeting cadence, which is expected to increase to three meetings per month during March and April to finalize the Annual Town Meeting warrant and the budget for the upcoming fiscal year.

  To increase transparency, the Town Crier podcast will debut a “Select Board Meeting Recap” segment in its next episode. This segment aims to provide context on appointments, payroll authorizations, and ongoing policy issues for residents unable to attend meetings .

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• Westminster – South St. Sentinel February 2026

  

  Westminster MA – February 2026

  The Westminster South Street Sentinel, 25^th Edition, covers current and future happenings in the Town of Westminster. For the complete document on PDF, CLICK HERE.

  Deep Dive with the Chair Man and the Chair Lady explaining what’s covered in the 25^th edition of the Westminster South Street Sentinel. Listen on any device.

  Debate with Max and Maxine Rogers: Can vibrant community spirit compensate for aging infrastructure? A Model of Modern Resilience and Growth or is it celebrating on a fragile foundation? So who wins the argument? A very interesting discussion. Listen on any device.

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• Westminster MA History Page

  

  The Westminster History and Profile Page

  Gardner Magazine has created the Westminster History and Profile page with extensive narrative covering all aspects of Westminster History, demographics, and a community profile – plus some interesting facts about the Town. For the complete page, CLICK HERE.

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• Westminster – Town Crier 17

  

  Town of Westminster Releases Town Crier Episode 17

  
  In this podcast episode, Town Administrator Stephanie Lahtinen launches the 2026 season of The Town Crier by reflecting on the program’s inaugural year and outlining future municipal goals for Westminster, Massachusetts. The podcast has been utilized to provide information on local government operations for residents, while previewing critical upcoming milestones such as the Fiscal Year 2027 Budget Planning and the Annual Town Meeting. Significant updates include a reduction in the property tax rate and the formation of a Strategic Staffinc Committee and ongoing renovations at the Old Town Hall. Lahtinen also invites community participation through photo submissions and listener feedback for the Town Crier to guide future topics. Listen to Episode 17 on any device, CLICK PLAY.

  While there have been a total of 2000 downloads to the episodes through the town website, there have been tens of thousands of downloads through Gardner Magazine and thousands of LIVE listeners each episode through WGAW’s Hotline Radio Show and 1000 to 3000 additional listeners per episode by those who listen to the Hotline livestream after the program airs.

  

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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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• Westminster Jan ’26

  

  Town of Westminster Update for January 2026

  The Town of Westminster MA has released the Sentinel edition for January 2026. CLICK HERE for pdf. Included are a range of important municipal updates and information, including tax and water bill due dates, reminders for dog license renewals and various yearly permits, and details about the upcoming town census. Additionally, the newsletter offers safety guidelines for winter activities, specifically focusing on ice thickness awareness and publicizes the Emergency Home Heating Assistance Program for eligible residents. Finally, the content highlights community initiatives such as the upkeep of Academy Hill trees and the fun concept of Free Libraries and “Blockbuster Boxes” for sharing books and DVDs. Gardner Magazine has prepared a “Deep Dive” discussing the contents. Listen on any device, CLICK PLAY.

  We also have a detailed infographic for those who want a big visual to view or print out. Here’s the page, CLICK HERE.

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• Westminster December 2025

  

  Westminster Events and Community Information for December 2025

  The December edition of the Westminster South Street Sentinel focuses heavily on holiday events and community information. CLICK HERE for PDF. Included is the Tree Lighting celebration. Lions Club Christmas Tree sales, and concerts, plus updates from different town departments.

  For detailed information, read the pdf. or listen to a “Deep Dive” with the Chair Man and the Chair Lady explaining it all. Listen on any device, CLICK PLAY.

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• Westminster – November ’25

  

  Article contains both a “Deep Dive” on Westminster for November 2025 and Episode 15 of the Town Crier.

  For more information on the Town of Westminster, visit the website, CLICK HERE.

  Happenings in the Town of Westminster

  The South Street Sentinel – November 2025 edition covers happenings in the Town of Westminster from Halloween through November and in to December. Complete on pdf, CLICK HERE. We also have a “Deep Dive” with the Chair Man and the Chair Lady explaining it all. Listen on any device, CLICK PLAY.

  Here’s what’s in the South Street Sentinel this month: A comprehensive overview of upcoming events, municipal announcements, and community news for Westminster, Massachusetts Key information includes details for the Special Town Meeting on November 18th, the due date for Property Tax Bills on November 3rd, and various ways to pay bills online. The newsletter also highlights community services, such as the Emergency Home Heating Assistance Program, updates from the Fire Department and Board of Health, and schedules for the Household Hazardous Waste Collection Days. Finally, it promotes local social events like the Thanksgiving Senior Center Dinner Dance and provides a schedule of school holidays and closures.

  Town Administrator Stephanie Lahtinen does periodic podcasts called the Town Crier. This is episode 15, “Kicking off Fall.” Listen on any device. CLICK PLAY.

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• Westminster Sentinel Oct. ’25

  

  A Westminster Update for October 2025

  Here is a “Deep Dive” covering the Westminster Sentinel released in September, but covering October 2025. Listen on any device, CLICK PLAY.

  Listen to Town Administrator Stephanie Lahtinen and 2 Two Town Crier Episodes.

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• UPDATE – Town of Westminster Aug 25

  

  UPDATE: Town of Westminster MA

  Gardner Magazine has a “Deep Dive”. Listen on any device. CLICK PLAY

  We have 3 Town Crier Episodes with Westminster Town Administrator Stephanie Lahtinen. Listen on any device. CLICK PLAY.

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