Westminster MA – Gardner News Magazine: Local News & Articles in Gardner MA

Westminster MA

Town of Westminster MA on Gardner Magazine

Westminster MA Local News and Community Information

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Lahtinen 4-23-24

Documents in pdf format: May 4, 2024 Town Meeting Warrant – Special Town Meeting Warrant. Town of Westminster website, CLICK HERE.

Westminster Town Administrator Speaks on Various Matters Concerning the Town

Gardner Magazine had the honor of speaking with Westminster Town Administrator Stephanie Lahtinen on April 23, 22024. Lahtinen spoke about the annual Town Meeting taking place on May 4, 2024 at 10am. “This year it will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday due to a by-law change last year. …budget is about 52% town, 48% school for this year.”

Listen to the entire interview on any device. CLICK PLAY.

Stephanie Lahtinen 4-23-24

Town Administrator Lahtinen spoke about a 5% increase in health insurance premiums this year after having no increases in premiums since 2019. Lahtinen attributes this to a history of low claims. Westminster Town Hall employees work a 40 hour week over 4 days. (Hours are Monday 7am to 7pm and Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday 7:30am to 4:30pm. Town Hall is closed on Fridays.)

With respect to the well issue in town, “That was definitely a challenge at the outset. So, everyone became an expert in PFAS very, very quickly here and for the residents. And we built a very strong relationship with the Department of Environmental Protection that we hadn’t previously had. But it was very difficult at first, and it was a very challenging situation. But where we are now, I think, is from a much greater understanding what the origin point was.”

Lahtinen spoke of grants: “We’re at the end of a $27,000 community compact grant to do a compensation and classification plan study for all of our employees, which hasn’t been done since 2015. So those are good to update to make sure that you’re competitive and that your job descriptions match your duties, especially in a post-COVID world where a lot of things may have shifted and changed, and also to make sure that your salaries are competitive.” Other grants also impact the future of the community, “We also got $155,000 to update our master plan, which was completed in 2015. So we are currently seeking volunteers to serve on the master plan committee to update that master plan and set another 10-year vision for the town of Westminster. So that was another grant-funded item. We were actually very fortunate to receive an earmark from Kim Ferguson for $200,000 in economic development to improve our downtown area. We will actually have a new full-time town planner on staff within the next two weeks, so that will be one of their first undertakings is, you know, these master plan grant funding, this downtown revitalization earmark. We’ve got money to spend, and I can’t wait to have full-time staff to spend it.”

Lahtinen spoke of Westminster’s amenities. “Westminster has a lot to offer its residents and we are always trying to let people know all the different things that are going on the town of Westminster. .. a free summer recreation program for elementary aged children that we run this year I believe it’ll be it’s either five or six weeks through July and part of August so over at the Westminster Elementary School all morning five days a week it’s just a drop-off center for your kids and we run it for free for Westminster residents. We have a town beach we have with it has not only the town beach but you can fish and bring your kayak and dock your kayak there. There’s limitless hiking trails with Hager Park and at Crocker Pond. We’re lucky to abut the mountains so we’ve got that. It’s nice to be in the foothills of Wachusett. And then also all of the other outdoor activities we have to offer. the most popular Farmers Market in North Central Mass which is one of our our pride and joys that kicks off this Friday’s in May.”
Westminster 4-4-24

Wyman Pond – Westminster MA

Welcome to Westminster Event

The Town of Westminster is having a “Welcome to Westminster” event on Thursday April 4, 2024 at the Forbush Memorial Library at 118 Main Street. It’s an opportunity to meet town leadership, find out what’s happening in the community, and check out various activities and places to explore.
Cleanup Grants

Technical Assistance Grants Awardees Include Town of Westminster MA

According to State of MA, the town of Westminster is receiving $20,000: “Westminster will use its award to engage technical expertise to review and interpret disposal site documents and information for the Bean Porridge Hill Road Area disposal site to increase public awareness by serving as a resource to town officials and the public. Contaminants of concern include PFAS impacting residential drinking water wells. “ Each of the grants awarded for 2024 support effective public involvement during the assessment and cleanup of oil and hazardous material disposal sites. More details from State of MA Website, CLICK HERE.

Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Bonnie Heiple stated, “We’re pleased to make this resource available to inform and empower municipal officials and citizen groups to meaningfully participate in local assessment and cleanup efforts.”

Each of the grants are in the amount of $20,000. Here is the list of communities who were awarded the grant. To Westfield “ Westfield Residents Advocating for Themselves will use its award to engage technical expertise to review and interpret disposal site documents and information for the Barnes Air National Guard Base “, to Greater Hynanis Civic Association, “to engage technical expertise to review and interpret disposal site documents and information for the Cape Cod Gateway Municipal Airport, “ to Lunt Neighborhood Action Group for Greenfield, “to engage technical expertise to evaluate and interpret existing information about the Former Lunt Silversmith Site in Greenfield to encourage better public participation in the ongoing cleanup.”, for Town of Barnstable “to engage technical expertise to review and evaluate site documents for the Barnstable County Fire Training Academy disposal site”, for Town of Carlisle Board of Health, “to obtain technical expertise to review and evaluate environmental data from the former Daisy Gasoline Station disposal site’, Duxbury Safe Water Committee, Inc. “will use its award to engage technical expertise to review and interpret disposal site documents and information for the Former Duxbury Landfill (McNeil Dump) and the Duxbury Municipal Landfill.”, and Town of Lee, “Lee will use its award to engage technical expertise to review and interpret information about the Upland Disposal Facility, an area permitted by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for storage of contaminated sediments from the Housatonic River Superfund Site.
Westminster 3-11-24

The Westminster Newsletter – the South Street Sentinel, covers a number of town topics in its 14 pages, CLICK HERE.

News of Westminster, Massachusetts

Westminster announces in the latest edition of The South Street Sentinel that it has attained a AAA Bond Rating from S&P Global Ratings. From the newsletter, “This is the highest possible rating a municipality can receive and this recognition reflects our strong fiscal management, prudent financial practices, and steadfast commitment to excellence…” Read the 14 page Newsletter – The South Street Sentinel, CLICK HERE.

In other Westminster news, the town is looking for photos for its 2023 Annual Town Report. Email (along with a name for credit) to Tchiarelli@westminster-ma.gov. Publication is anticipated in May 2024. Previous Town Reports can be found here, CLICK HERE.

Summer Farmers’ Market applications are available – it runs Friday afternoons from 3-6pm beginning in May and going through October. Rules and Regulations —- Crafters’ Application — Producers’ Application
Westminster Newsletter

Town of Westminster with a First Edition

The Town of Westminster MA has announced the First Edition of a newsletter to keep residents better informed. Volume 1 is 10 pages long, CLICK HERE for pdf. Community Services Director Audra Kirtland wrote, “We invite you to be an active part of this journey; to share your stories, milestones, achievements, and thoughts. Let’s work together to make this newsletter a place to come for insight and information.” It is a source of a huge amount of information.
Durant – Westminster

Senator Peter Durant will hold office hours at Westminster Town Hall, Room 112 on Monday, February 12, 2024 from 2:30pm to 3:30pm.
Westminster Wells

Well Moratorium Lifted – New Wells May be Costly in Westminster MA

With the PFAS contaminated situation in mind, the Westminster Board of Health lifted the well moratorium at its January 17, 2024 meeting. Persons wishing to put in a new well should check with the Board of Health so that all requirements can be met. For example, a homeowner putting in a new well in the PFAs study area must cover all costs including PFAS treatment.

Those with questions can contact Health Agent Abigail Conlin at (978) 874-7409 or use this contact form, CLICK HERE.

The main Westminster Board of Health page is here.
Special State

THE SPECIAL STATE ELECTION WARRANT IS NOW POSTED in Westminster MA

From town of Westminster, “The Special State Election takes place on Tuesday, November 7, 2023 from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Westminster Senior/Community Center, 69 West Main Street. Ballots have just arrived, and only vote by mail ballots will be available — no in person early voting.

Absentee ballots are only available in the Town Clerk’s Office up until 12:00 noon, Monday, November 6th. After this time, you may only go to the polling place to vote.

The last day for new voter registration is on Saturday, October 28th up until 5:00 p.m. Town Hall will be closed, but voter registration forms will be available at Police Dispatch. The last day to request a vote by mail ballot is Tuesday, October 31st until 5:00 p.m. at Town Hall. All Vote by Mail ballots must be received by 8:00 p.m. on November 7, 2023.

Our Fall Town Meeting will be held on Tuesday, November 14th at Westminster Elementary School beginning at 7:30 p.m.

Any questions, please call the Town Clerk’s Office at 978-874-7406 or esheehan@westminster-ma.gov.”

Westminster Election 4-25-23

Westminster Election April 25, 2023

Election Results
For Moderator: Dana Altobelli got 668 votes
For Select Board: Salvatore Albert got 583 votes
For Town Clerk: Ellen Sheehan got 644 votes
For Library Trustee (2 positions) Kimberly Samson: 579 and Kimberly Brothers-Caisse: 559
Hager Park Commission: Alan Wiktorski: 626
Planning Board 3 years: (2 positions) Marie Auger: 307, Daniel Bartkus: 275, Michael Ferris: 325, Isaiah Grigos: 477, blanks: 191
Planning Board 1 year: Jaclyn Nally: 543
Housing Authority 5 years: Brenda Albert: 586
Housing Authority 3 years; Charles Pappas: 574
Housing Authority 1 year: Zachary Banks: 559
Constable: Steven Couture: 611
Cemetery Commission 3 years: Shawn O’Leary: 633
Cemetery Commission 1 year; Raymond Rathier: 613
Regional School Committee Westminster member: Kimberly Russo: 578, Nadine Leger: 577
Regional School Committee Ashburnham member: Jeremey Smeltekop: 401, Laura St. Cyr: 515
Board of Health: Total of 799 votes John Lutz; 180 Gwen Farley: 162 Evan Croft: 8 Blanks: 449
As to the various non binding questions: 1. Yes 398, No 319 Voters are saying they want the town of Westminster to retain ownership of the Old Town Hall property at 3 Bacon Street 2. Yes 386, No 336 Voters also are saying they want the town of Westminster to sell the 3 Bacon Street property with a historic preservation restriction.

Westminster MA Town Elections 2023

The Westminster MA Town Election is Tuesday, April 25, 2023 from 7am to 8pm. The last day to obtain nomination papers is Tuesday, March 7, 2023. For complete details, view this pdf. CLICK HERE.