Westminster MA
WESTMINSTER WEATHERTown of Westminster MA on Gardner Magazine
Westminster MA Local News and Community Information
Jump to: Around the Community – Westminster Map – Westminster Photos – Service pages and outside links — View current Calendar (opens in new window)
- 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: 449As 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.
- Chicken Talk
Important Chicken Talk Delayed in Westminster MA
The Westminster Agricultural Commission has announced that the “Backyard Talk on Chickens” Event to be held at the library will now be on January 24, 2023 at 7pm. According to the Commission, “This really is important information for anyone who wants to have farm animals – specifically chickens – in town.”
Now, what is the chicken response to this? We have an excerpt from the “Chicken Song”. Listen on any device. Click Play.
- Electricity 23
Electric Bill High in Greater Gardner MA? There may be something cheaper…
EnergySwitchMA.gov allows you to shop for an electric supplier for your home or business. You put in your zip code and a list of suppliers and rates pops out.
Electric Angst in the Toytown of Winchendon
For example, the basic service rate in Winchendon MA may be as high as 34 cents. However, at the site there’s a supplier under 17 cents (saving 50%) and several others in the 17 to 20 cent per kilowatt hour range. Click here.
Electric Frustration in the Chair City of Gardner MA
In Gardner, basic service has a supply rate of about 34 cents. The City of Gardner negotiated rate is just under 24 cents. However, there’s a supplier for 17 cents and a number well under 20 cents per kilowatt hour. Click here. For example IGS Energy offers a 16.99 cents per kilowatt hour with a 12 month contract or a 17.99 cents per kilowatt hour rate with a 36 month contract. Click here.
For your community, go to EnergySwitchMA.gov, select Home or Business, put in the zip code, and get the results instantly. CLICK HERE.
Around the Westminster MA Community
Community Facts
Westminster is a town in Worcester County Massachusetts with a population of around 8 thousand people. Westminster was incorporated in 1759.
Schools
Westminster is part of the Ashburnham- Westminster Regional School District.
Westminster Elementary School (2-5) (978) 874-2043
Overlook Middle School: (978) 827-1425
Oakmont Regional High School: (978) 827-5907
Government
Select Board – Town Administrator: (978) 874-7400
Town Clerk: (978) 874-7406
Fire Department: (978) 874-2313
Police Department: (978) 874-2900
Organizations
Council on Aging/Senior Center: (978) 874-7402
Veterans’ Agent: (978) 874-7461
Westminster Historical Society: (978) 874-5569
Interactive Map of Westminster MA
Town of Westminster MA Photos
Gardner Magazine Service Pages and Outside Links for Westminster MA
Gardner Magazine Cities and Towns
Other Helpful Resources on the WebTech Online Network