Westminster MA

Westminster MA Local News and Community Information

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• Westminster 9-19-25

  

  A Comprehensive Town of Westminster Update

  The Town of Westminster has released its South Street Sentinel for October 2025, CLICK HERE for pdf. Highlighted are the 10th Annual Westminster Cracker Festival, the appointment of new Police Chief Matt LeMay, and a memorial for fallen firefighters. Listen to our “Deep Dive” podcast which explains it all on any device, CLICK PLAY.

  Also covered are health and cultural initiatives, the Westminster Cultural Council, current art exhibits, senior center services, school-related updates, and various activities and services.

  Latest Town Crier Episode 14: Town Administrator Stephanie Lahtinen features an in-depth interview with Health Director Abigail Conlin about the mission of the health department and various events and announcements in the Town Crier Episode 14. Listen on any device, CLICK PLAY.

  We are also including Town Crier Episode 13 from August. Listen on any device, CLICK PLAY.

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• Accident Route 2

  

  Gardner and Westminster Fire Departments Respond to Route 2 Accident

  On August 19, 2025, Gardner and Westminster Fire Departments responded to a motor vehicle accident which resulted in Route 2 being closed for about a half hour while the accident was cleared.

  Gardner Fire Department posted, “Earlier today, Group 1 firefighters, assisted by Westminster Fire, responded to reports of a motor vehicle accident on Route 2 westbound. Crews arrived on scene to find a two-vehicle accident, with one vehicle that had overturned. EMS transported both occupants to local hospitals. The incident resulted in a temporary closure of Route 2, lasting approximately 30 minutes.”

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• Beaches 8-18-25

  

  Some Area Beaches Closed Due to Bacterial Exceedance

  Area beaches closed include: Damon Pond in Ashby, Eagle Lake in Holden, Lunenburg Town Beach, Beamans Pond Day Use and Campground in Templeton, Pearl Hill Pond in Townsend, Crow Hill Pond in Westminster, and Lake Dennison Day Use and North Camp in WInchendon. For the complete list of more than 4 dozen beaches, CLICK HERE.

  Bacterial exceedance means the measured levels have surpassed the acceptable limits set by health and safety regulations. These limits are established to protect public health, as high levels of bacteria can pose a risk of illness, particularly gastrointestinal issues, skin rashes, and ear or eye infections, according to health agencies.  Some other beaches outside of this area are closed for a harmful cyanobacterial bloom.

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• Weather Center Upgrade

  

  Access the Greater Gardner Weather Center, CLICK HERE.

  Gardner Magazine Upgrades Greater Gardner Weather Center

  Gardner Magazine is pleased to announce that the Greater Gardner Weather Center has been upgraded. Here’s what you’ll find:

  1. Weather Forecasts from multiple sources including Forecast 7, Meteo Blue, Tomorrow Weather, Booked.net, Meteored, Weather Rx, and a detailed forecast from the National Weather Service.
  2. Fire Risk for multiple locations including Athol, Gardner, Ashburnham, Westminster, Fitchburg, and Worcester.
  3. Air Quality and Pollen Conditions
  4. Interactive Weather Map from Meteo Blue
  5. National Weather Service Map
  6. Worcester County Drought Conditions

  The Greater Gardner Weather Center can be found right here.

  

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• Westminster 8-1-25

  

  A busy August in the Town of Westminster MA – Complete Coverage

  Sunday, August 10, 2025, from 11 AM to 5 PM, Westminster’s beloved Town Benefit Day is back on Academy Hill, packed with familiar favorites and exciting new attractions. Details are found in Volume 19 of The South Street Sentinel for August 2025. CLICK HERE. The Chair Man and Chair Lady discuss all of the items in this edition. Listen on any device, CLICK PLAY.

  On the same date is also the 38^th Annual Town Benefit Day.

  Academy Hill Park is Now open to the delight of children in the community. It will be open 8am to dusk and provides 24 hour surveillance for safety.

  Westminster Farmers Market is Fridays from 3-6pm on Academy Hill. There are almost 20 vendors. For more details please visit their Facebook page, CLICK HERE:

  On Wednesday, August 6^th the Town Band will perform on Academy Hill from 7-9pm . Raindate is the next day. For more info, please visit their facebook page:
  
  

  Coming up in Westminster: — The Blues Express will be playing at the VFW Field, August 24, 2025 from 3-5pm. Admission is FREE. Music will be Blues Classics and originals. There will be a Snack Shack and Bounce Houses. 3 Eaton Street, Westminster. Taking place inside in event of rain. — The 10^th Annual Westminster Cracker Festival October 18, 2025 from 10am to 5pm in the Village Square, Westminster. There will be live music from The Fools, Mr. Strickland, The Tribe, Fred Ellsworth, and the Westminster Elementary Band. —- Any day of the week there’s something to do at the Crocker Pond Recreation Area which is open daily until August 24^th. Open weekends only August 30^th to September 1 and September 6-7. The Forbush Library is active with Author Talks: The Bird Book August 2^nd at 2pm, Casey McQuiston August 20^th at 7pm, and Dr. Tasha Eurich August 28^th at 2pm. For more details, CLICK HERE. There’s also an opportunity to meet MWCC’s Monty the Mountain Lion on Tuesday August 12^th at 10:30am. And the Wickedly Fun Scavenger Hunt is taking place from August 2^nd to August 17^th. —- The Westminster Fire Department is having a Handtub Muster on August 16^th and the Police Department is having the 54^th Bike Rodeo Tuesday August 5^th from noon to 1pm at Westminster Elementary School. —-The 5^th Annual Ashburnham/Westminster National Night Out is Tuesday, August 12^th from 5:30 to 8pm. Town of Westminster website, CLICK HERE.

  Town Crier Podcasts with Town Administrator Stephanie Lahtinen include: Episode 10 on Summer Safety. Episode 11 is about understanding your tax bill. Episode 12 is a Master Plan Update.

  The Town podcast page is located here, CLICK HERE.

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• Town Crier 9

  

  Stephanie Lahtinen with Me, Myself, and Your Questions

  The Town Crier is a podcast produced by the Town of Westminster and hosted by Town Administrator Stephanie Lahtinen. In this episode released June 12, 2025, various constituent questions are answered. Listen on any device, CLICK PLAY.

  Topics covered included the annual town meeting, cell service coverage in Westminster, the Westminster Country Club property, The Old Town Hall, and the Adams Street 4db Project, and the Academy Hill playground. Lahtinen ended the podcast with an announcement of various events in the community. Visit the podcast page, CLICK HERE

  On cell service: “We currently own and operate a communications tower on South Ashburnham Road. You can see it if you drive down South Ash Road, it’s, you know, probably like 500 yards off the street. And so now we are, we have a RFP out, so a request for proposals for private cell carriers to lease space from the town and put their equipment on our tower.”

  On the Old Town Hall: “So the Old Town Hall, the plan is for it to be redeveloped with a historic preservation restriction. So the building will look exactly basically as it looks right now. All of the character, the historic structures, everything will be maintained and it’s going to have commercial on the first floor and the top two floors are planned for apartments. So the Old Town Hall will be fully rehabilitated. The building will be saved.”

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• Kurt Krakane

  

  Kurt Krakane of Westminster MA Among Academy Graduates

  For the 63rd time, the correctional officers oath was administered to graduates of the Worcester Country Sheriff’s Basic Recruit Academy located at the department’s Training and Command Center in West Boylston. On Friday, June 6, 2025, Worcester Country Sheriff Lew Evangelidis swore in Kurt Krane of Westminster and 15 others.

  “After 13 rigorous weeks of training, I present the best and brightest in corrections today,” commented Worcester County Sheriff Lew Evangelidis. “The Worcester County Sheriff’s Office Training Department is one of the best in the state, and I can confidently say that these individuals are ready to join the ranks as full-time corrections officers and contribute to successfully executing our mission. Congratulations to these graduates as they begin their new careers.” Applications are now being accepted for the 64th class to begin in September 2025. Learn more, CLICK HERE.

  Before starting the academy, applicants must complete a written exam, a physical fitness test, a background check, and a psychological screening. To ensure fairness and impartiality, Evangelidis has implemented a policy that prohibits letters of recommendation from politicians and gives preference to hiring individuals who have served our country.

  
  The Worcester County Sheriff’s Office Academy offers a paid, full-time program lasting 13 weeks, designed to equip recruits with the skills needed to manage and maintain the care, custody, and control of inmates at the Worcester County Jail & House of Correction. The academy includes both classroom instruction and hands-on training.

  

  While at the academy, recruits undergo extensive training in various aspects of corrections. This training includes skills such as de-escalation techniques, the duty to intervene, fire safety, defensive tactics, and first responder protocols. They also receive education in suicide prevention, mental health issues, and substance abuse awareness. In addition, recruits engage in daily physical fitness sessions, take weekly assessments on classroom material, and benefit from regular guest lectures and demonstrations provided by a range of public safety partners.

  The Sheriff’s office stated, “The Worcester County Sheriff’s Office is committed to ensuring public safety across the cities and towns in Worcester County. The department recognizes the importance of building a team that reflects the diverse community it serves. The graduates of B.R.T.A. #63 represent a highly qualified group of recruits, each bringing unique skills and experiences to their new roles as correctional officers. These officers come from nine different towns throughout Massachusetts and include 6 individuals who are either active members or veterans of the U.S. Army.”

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• Town Crier 5-29-25

  

  Catching Up on Westminster Town Crier Podcasts 3-8

  
  The Town of Westminster MA releases podcasts with Stephanie Lahtinen every couple of weeks. A previous article featured Episodes 1 and 2. Here are Episodes 3 through 8. Visit the official podcast page, CLICK HERE.

  Submit questions to podcast@westminster-ma.gov

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• Westminster ATM 2025

  

  Westminster Town Meeting Approves Everything

  The Town Budget of $28.4 million and various other approvals were given at the town meeting of May 3, 2025. See pdf for all the details, CLICK HERE.

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• Westminster 3-10-25

  

  Westminster Town Administrator Stephanie Lahtinen Launches Podcast

  The Town of Westminster has launched an informative podcast to keep “Westminster residents informed one episode at a time.” Listen on any device. CLICK PLAY.

  Lahtinen states the podcast will be released every couple of weeks. From the town of Westminster, “Welcome to The Town Crier, Westminster’s official municipal podcast! Hosted by Town Administrator Stephanie Lahtinen, this podcast brings you the latest town news, upcoming projects, and behind-the-scenes insights straight from the people who help keep Westminster running. Whether you’re curious about town decisions, want to hear from local leaders, or just love staying in the know, The Town Crier is your go-to source for reliable and engaging updates. “ Podcast page, CLICK HERE.

  Residents can submit questions to podcast@westminster-ma.gov

  Episode 2 Featuring Select Board Member Mike Cooley. Listen on any device, CLICK PLAY.

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• Various Links to Various Content

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  Here is something we are working on: A new and improved Greater Gardner MA Photo Gallery.

  

  

  
  All Sports Page features 8 categories of sports – Major League Baseball, NFL Football, NBA Basketball, National Hockey League, College Football, College Basketball, Professional Golf. CLICK HERE.

  

  
  Here are the State News pages on Gardner Magazine: — Massachusetts 1, — Massachusetts 2, — New Hampshire, — Connecticut, — Vermont, — Rhode Island, — and Maine. — Plus, California, — New York

  

  
  Here are the various news pages on various U.S. Topics including: Capitol Hill — , Lifestyle — , Financial — , Technology —, Showbiz —, Top U.S. Stories —, U.S. Debt Clock — , Economy —, United States News. —

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

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