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Westminster MA Local News and Community Information

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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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• 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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• Greater Gardner 11-25-24

  

  

  
  News Around the Greater Gardner MA area

  Winchendon: 3 finalists for Winchendon Superintendent position include: current interim Superintendent Dr. Marc Gosselin, Dr. Greg Rosenthal of Douglas Public Schools, and Mark McLaughlin of South Hadley Public Schools. Next step: School Committee will make its selection.

  Westminster: Recent Town Meeting Results – Articles 1,2,3,4,,5, and 6 YES Articles 9 and 10 regarding TIF: NO. Article 11: NO and Voters passed over article 12. Previous article with details, CLICK HERE.

  Ashburnham: Equipment options for the new Winchester Park Playground will be previewed at a presentation by consultants M.E. O’Brien and Sons, Inc. on Tuesday, December 10, 2024 6:30pm at Overlook Middle School, 2^nd Floor Team Room, 10 Oakmont Drive, Ashburnham. A question and answer session will follow the presentation. —– Toys for Tots donations will be accepted through December 6^th at the DPW and Town Hall. —- The Select Board will hold a tax classification hearing on Monday, December 2, 2024 at 6:30 p.m. in the Training Room at the Public Safety Building. The purpose of the hearing is to inform taxpayers and interested persons of the choices open to the Select Board in setting a single tax rate for all real estate and personal property, or two tax rates, one for residential and open space and one for commercial, industrial and personal property. Members of the Board of Assessors will be present to explain the options available in choosing the classification. The public is welcome to attend.

  Templeton: A special town meeting is scheduled for December 6, 2024 at 6pm at the Narragansett Middle School Auditorium. Here is the complete town meeting warrant, CLICK HERE. The Town of Templeton has a construction schedule update, CLICK for DETAILS. The Digital Equity Plan comment period ends on December 6^th. View a pdf of the plan, CLICK HERE.

  Phillipston: The Phillipston Lions have started a soup kitchen. Next Soup Kitchen is Wednesday, December 11^th at the Phillipston Church on the common. For details, CLICK HERE. —- The Ladies Benevolent Society is sponsoring a Holly Berry Fair on December 10, 2024 from 9 AM to 2 PM at the Phillipston Congregational Church. Highlights are: Christmas Vendors, Ladies Benevolent Society Raffle Table, Lion’s Lunch – Soup & Sandwiches Dessert, Cookie Walk Table, Come take a picture with Santa, Pets Welcome! Bring your camera!

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• Westminster Meeting

  

  

  Special Town Meeting Tuesday, November 19, 2024 at 6:30pm at the Westminster Elementary School at 9 Academy Hill Road, Westminster

  Westminster: Special Town Meeting November 19th

  Registered Voters in the town of Westminster will be attending a Special Town Meeting on Tuesday, November 19, 2024 at 6:30pm at the Westminster Elementary School.

  Town Meeting Warrant pdf, CLICK HERE.

  The first 6 articles are money articles. Article 7 would dissolve the Holmes Park Water District and place the water service under the jurisdiction of the town of Westminster – MA legislature would still to to also approve. Article 8 concerns notification to the town of a change in volume or character of pollutants to be discharged into the sewer system. Article 9 concerns whether the Town will approve Tax Increment Financing in an agreement between Westminster and Home Depot. TIF provides for real estate exemptions. Article 10 concerns TIF Financing between Westminster and Global Packaging. Article 11 asks the town to seek an additional liquor license allocation for Vincent’s Country Store at 109 Main Street – Legislature would need to approve. Article 12 is a Citizen’s Petition would would restrict the total of full liquor licenses in Westminster to 2 (two) until the population of the town exceeds 10,000 per the most recent Federal census. Current population is about 8400. Next Federal Census is in 2030. Growth was 12.3% from 2010 to 2020 but has since slowed to an annual rate of 2.3%.

  Information sheet on T.I.F. (Tax Incremental Financing)

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