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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Hotline Radio 9-19-26

WGAW Hotline Radio Extended Edition – Gardner Updates, Construction and Events – Westminster Update

Listen to the entire show on any device, CLICK PLAY.

WGAW Hotline Radio 9-19-26

First up on WGAW Hotline Radio: Steve Wendell spoke about chopping down a hickory tree because it was interfering with satellite. FREE wood is available. Bring your chain saws. Call (978) 632-1340 to let Steve know you are coming.

Update and Interview with Gardner Mayor Michael Nicholson: Mayor Nicholson spoke about the construction at the front of Gardner City Hall and the timeline. Other entrances are open while front entrance is not available. Work on the Perry Auditorium continues. Hope is that projects are completed by October. — An update on other construction affecting parking lots for a short time.

An Update on the water in Gardner – An Update on the Rear Main Street Project, awaiting National Grid to put in transformer so above ground telephone poles can be removed. Mayor said he is “super excited.” — Mayor Nicholson spoke about his visit to the Templeton Select Board about grants. – Gardner has seen a huge return in its investment in the 3^rd party grantwriter. — A discussion of fiscal oversight in Gardner MA – A discussion of construction at Gardner High School – projects extend the life of the Gardner High School Building. — Winter parking ban policy has not been finalized and resident input is welcome — Discussion of stop signs on Park Street – a campaign update: https://www.michaelnicholsonma.com/

Werner Poegel Commentary: Gardner Oktoberfest and Chair Luge 2026 – a complete rundown of all of the day’s events.

Steve Wendell played some highlights of the Gardner Public Safety Committee – Gardner Police Chief Eric McAvene discusses Traffic Commission recommendations.

Westminster Town Crier Episode 33 with Westminster Town Administrator Stephanie Lahtinen. Includes an interview with Police Chief LeMay.
Westminster PD Drone

Pictured are Police Chief Matthew LeMay, Drone Operator Officer Travis Heath, Detective David LeBlanc, Karen and Davin Fors, and Fire Chief Kyle Butterfield.

Westminster PD Launches New Drone Program

The Town of Westminster MA Police Department has launched a new drone program through a partnership between the Tom Fors Memorial Fund and the Westminster Police Association. $12,000 was donated to purchase a DJI 4T Drone and related equipment.

Westminster PD explained in a post: “In recognition of Tom’s lasting connection to public safety, the drone has been named TF1 in his honor. TF1 may assist with missing-person searches, critical incidents, accident and crime-scene documentation, major community events, and other situations in which an aerial view can help protect the public and emergency responders. TF1 will be operated by trained personnel for legitimate public-safety purposes and will not be used for random or routine surveillance.

On behalf of the Town, the Select Board unanimously accepted this generous gift at Monday night’s meeting.We sincerely thank Davin and Karen Fors, the Tom Fors Memorial Fund, and the Westminster Police Association for making this program possible. We also thank McGovern MHQ for its continued partnership and for generously donating the lettering for TF1 and our new police motorcycle.This generous support enhances our public-safety capabilities without placing the cost of the equipment on local taxpayers.”
Town Crier – Episode 32

For more information about the Town of Westminster MA, please visit their website, CLICK HERE.

Infographics below provide more detail, CLICK any image for larger view.

Westminster MA Town Crier – Episode 32

Approximately every 2 weeks, Westminster Town Administrator Stephanie Lahtinen produces a podcast called the Town Crier. This is Episode 32, released on August 27, 2026. Listen on any device, CLICK PLAY.

Westminster MA – Town Crier Episode 32

In episode 32 of the Westminster Town Crier, Town Administrator Stephanie Lahtinen provides a comprehensive update on municipal affairs following an August hiatus. The podcast begins with a recap of the August 4th special town meeting, noting that a petition regarding Crocker Pond was withdrawn by the petitioner after a high turnout of residents. Lahtinen also details recent Select Board actions, including the approval of a police motorcycle pilot program and various personnel appointments.

The episode serves as a guide for upcoming autumn transitions, highlighting the launch of a new town website and the start of the academic school year. Residents are encouraged to participate in the September 1st state primary and attend various community traditions like the Farmers Market and the 10th annual Cracker Festival. Finally, the host emphasizes civic responsibility by reminding citizens to keep public parks clean and stay informed through official town newsletters.

Westminster – September 2026

A Huge Update on Westminster MA for September 2026

Listen to this Deep Dive podcast covering it all on any device, CLICK PLAY.

DEEP DIVE – Westminster MA – September 2026

As of September 2026, the town of Westminster is navigating a seasonal transition characterized by the commencement of the 2026-2027 academic year and a robust schedule of municipal and community events. Key priorities for the community include public safety adjustments for school transport, the adoption of a newly launched municipal website, and participation in significant governance activities, most notably the Massachusetts State Primary and a Special Town Meeting regarding the Crocker Pond Recreation Area. The South Street Sentinel, September 2026 edition is a powerful resource, CLICK HERE.

The Town of Westminster has officially launched a new website designed to improve navigation and resource accessibility. Previous subscribers to email alerts must resubscribe. Many email addresses were dropped during the transition due to being flagged as undeliverable.

Return to school: Start Date for Grades 1 to 12 is August 31. Preschool and Kindergarten is September 8. School Bus routes are no longer published on general school websites for security reasons. Parents must access route information via ParentSquare.

Flu Vaccination Clinic: September 29, 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM at the Senior Center. Walk-ins are welcome.

Seasonal Festivals and Activities

Event	Date	Location/Details
Crocker Pond Season Close	Sept. 8	Final day for season; boats must be removed.
St. Edward’s Fall Festival	Sept. 12	Attic treasures, auction, BBQ, and live music.
Celebrating Agriculture	Sept. 18	Focused on the Westminster Farmers’ Market.
Singing Trooper Concert	Sept. 19	Daniel M. Clark at Academy Hill (4:00 PM).
Interactive Painting Class	Oct. 8	Hosted by Women’s Fellowship; cost is $10.
Westminster Cracker Festival	Upcoming	Includes a Main Street Scarecrow Competition.
Trick-or-Treat	Oct. 31	Bacon, Pleasant, and Elliot St. open 5:00-7:00 PM.

The infographics below provide additional detail. CLICK an Image for larger view.

Westminster – July 2026
Westminster MA News July 2026

Westminster dealt with a contentious land dispute and ongoing environmental monitoring.

Land Dispute and Governance
- Crocker Pond Controversy: A citizen petition from Robert Francis triggered a Special Town Meeting for August 4. Voters will decide whether to sell 10 acres of land back to Francis for $1. Town leadership unanimously opposes the move to protect public open space.
Environment and Health
- PFAS Briefing: Town officials held a public briefing regarding IRA Status Report #17, focusing on PFAS water contamination near Bean Porridge Hill Road.
- Food Waste Study: A July study highlighted the challenge of microplastics in local soils resulting from organic food waste recycling.
- Farmers Market: Despite a national cyclosporiasis outbreak, local markets remained open as Massachusetts case numbers remained low.
Westminster – August 2026

Westminster MA Releases South Street Sentinel for August 2026

The month of August 2026 in Westminster is defined by significant community-led initiatives, municipal legislative challenges, and high-profile public events. The primary focus is the 39th Annual Neighbors Helping Neighbors (NHN) Town Benefit Day on August 9, which serves as the town’s largest non-profit fundraiser. A central highlight of this event is the inauguration of the Nancy Green Award for Outstanding Citizenship, to be presented to long-time volunteer Dan McCarthy. View the entire South Street Sentinel Newsletter, CLICK HERE.

Concurrently, the town faces a critical legislative juncture with a Special Town Meeting on August 4, triggered by a citizen’s petition regarding the Crocker Pond Recreation Area. This petition faces unanimous opposition from several key municipal boards. Administratively, the town continues to manage infrastructure projects—notably the Theodore Drive warehouse—and fiscal responsibilities, with first-quarter tax bills due early in the month.
Town Crier Episode 30

Westminster Community Events and Details on Upcoming Special Town Meeting

Listen to the Town Crier Podcast Episode 30 with Westminster Town Administrator Stephanie Lahtinen on any device. CLICK PLAY.

Westminster MA – Town Crier Episode 30

The Special Town Meeting of August 4, 2026 (6:30pm at the Westminster Elementary School) was triggered by a citizens petition. The petition seeks to transfer approximately 10 acres of the Crocker Pond Recreation Area back to private ownership for $1, citing an unfulfilled 20-year-old agreement regarding an access road. However, municipal leadership—including the Select Board, the Advisory Board, and the Crocker Pond Recreation Committee—has voiced unanimous opposition to the proposal. Their stance is based on the lack of legal obligation to return the land, the significant public investment made in the property, and the high value of the parcel as a contiguous public recreational resource.

While most of the podcast addresses the Special Town Meeting and the history behind the land in question, Stephanie Lahtinen also covers various community events. including the Neighbors Helping Neighbors benefit, a town takeover at a WooSox game, and the return of the “singing trooper.” More details are provided in the infographics below. CLICK IMAGE for larger view.

Westminster Town Crier Episode 29

The Town of Westminster MA has a website replete with information, CLICK HERE.

Westminster Town Crier Episode 29 Celebrates America 250 and provides a COOL UPDATE on Resident Communication.

In this podcast episode released on July 2^nd before the July 4^th Holiday, Town Administrator Stephanie Lahtinen provides several key administrative updates for the community of Westminster, Massachusetts. To honor the 250th anniversary of the United States, the town received a historically accurate reproduction of the Declaration of Independence, which will be displayed in Town Hall. Local governance news includes the adoption of a strategic staffing plan to manage long-term human resources and the announcement of a new mobile app designed to streamline resident communication. The host also discusses a planned state-managed roundabout at the intersection of Depot Road and Route 2A, while noting that construction is not expected until 2030. Also covered: local recreational opportunities at Crocker Pond, and the Farmer’s Market.

Listen to the update on any device, CLICK PLAY.

Town Crier Episode 29 – America 250 and Resident Communication

Infrastructure and Traffic Safety: Route 2A Roundabout: A significant update was provided regarding the intersection of Depot Road and Route 2A (State Road East) near the Dollar General and the business park.

Category	Details
Jurisdiction	MassDOT (State-numbered route)
Preferred Solution	Roundabout (Signalization was deemed unfeasible by MassDOT)
Current Status	Included in the State Transportation Improvement Plan (TIP)
Estimated Timeline	Approximately 2030
Town Role	Advocacy and endorsement; the Select Board, Planning Board, and DPW Commission have voted in favor of the state’s plan.

The Town Administrator emphasized that while roundabouts can be polarizing, the decision rests with MassDOT due to the roadway’s state-numbered status. The primary goal is safety and traffic flow at a high-volume intersection.

The Westminster App: The town has signed a contract with GOGov to develop a mobile application.

Purpose: To consolidate information currently scattered across social media, the website, and word-of-mouth into a single, user-friendly platform.
Features: Multi-channel communication including mobile push notifications, SMS, email, and voicemail.
Customization: Residents can opt-in to specific categories (e.g., Senior Center fitness alerts, road closures, or emergency alerts) while opting out of others.

Town Crier – Episode 28

Update on Municipal Affairs and Community Events in Westminster MA – Town Crier Episode 28

Listen to the episode on any device, CLICK PLAY.

Westminster Town Crier Episode 28

This episode of the Westminster Town Crier podcast, hosted by Town Administrator Stephanie Lahtinen, offers a comprehensive update on municipal affairs and community events in Westminster. The program features an interview with Select Board Chair Mike Cooley, focusing on “municipal myth-busting“ to clarify how local government functions under state and local laws. They discuss the separation of powers between various boards, the significance of town meetings, and ongoing local projects like the Adams Street 40B hearing.

In addition to governance, the podcast highlights numerous summer activities, including the opening of Crocker Pond, free outdoor yoga, and the weekly farmers market on Academy Hill. Public safety updates are provided regarding a commemorative police patch for the nation’s 250th anniversary and progress on a new public safety building. Finally, the host announces the upcoming launch of a dedicated Westminster mobile app designed to streamline communication and deliver tailored notifications to residents.
Westminster MA June 2026 News

Westminster MA – June 2026 News

Westminster is defined this month by a high level of community vigilance regarding long-term environmental health and the preservation of its small-town character.

PFAS Mitigation and Water Safety

Following a high-attendance Informational PFAS Session, the town is continuing town-wide well-water testing. Residents remain highly engaged with the Board of Health as they seek clarity on current health standards and the long-term plan for water mitigation in affected neighborhoods.

Chapter 40B Development Conflict

The proposed Adams Street affordable housing project has sparked intense pushback. The conflict highlights the central tension in North Central Massachusetts: the desperate need for regional growth versus the desire to protect the historic, low-density character of small towns. Residents are currently organizing to limit the scale of the Chapter 40B project.

Municipal Regulation

Wyman’s Lake was temporarily closed for herbicide weed treatments, and the town has initiated dog ownership audits, issuing violation notices to residents to ensure compliance with local licensing ordinances.