The Town Crier

Catch up with Town Administrator Stephanie Lahtinen for a recap of the October 19 Select Board meeting, a preview of November’s Special Town Meeting, and updates on the Woodland Loop water main project and upcoming election.

Plus, big thanks to the Cracker Festival and Farmers Market organizers, a Halloween candy donation request, Westminster’s first-ever Community Spaghetti Supper, and a call for local artists to exhibit at Town Hall!

Do you have feedback, questions, or ideas for future episodes? Email [email protected] — your input makes the show!

Meet Westminster’s first appointed Town Clerk, Jayne Davolio! Jayne joins Stephanie to share her experience and explain voter registration, checking your voting status, early voting, and preparing for the November 3 State Election. Plus, hear the latest Select Board updates, a preview of the November 17 Special Town Meeting, and reminders about the upcoming Cracker Festival and Halloween festivities.

Do you have feedback, questions, or ideas for future episodes? Email [email protected] — your input makes the show!

This week Stephanie sits down with Community Services Director Audra Kirtland to discuss the launch of Westminster’s independent Community Services Department, its new Town Meeting-approved budget and what residents can expect next. They explore upcoming programs and community-wide events, local partnerships, volunteer opportunities and the work behind the South Street Sentinel. Plus, hear local updates and important dates from around Westminster.

Do you have feedback, questions, or ideas for future episodes? Email [email protected] — your input makes the show!

In Episode 33, Stephanie sits down with Westminster Police Chief Matthew LeMay to reflect on his first year as Chief and discuss what residents can expect from the Department moving forward. They cover Westminster’s new police drone and motorcycle programs, provide a trustworthy answer to your questions about Flock cameras and privacy safeguards, and share an update on the proposed Public Safety Building. 

Plus, we recap the latest Select Board meeting, highlights State Primary results, provides a brief PFAS-area update, and previews our local 9/11 Ceremony, the Singing Trooper, Westminster Cracker Festival, Halloween activities, and other fall happenings around Town.

Do you have feedback, questions, or ideas for future episodes? Email [email protected] — your input makes the show!

After a brief vacation hiatus, Stephanie is back with updates from around Westminster, including a recap of the August 4 Special Town Meeting and its impressive turnout of approximately 300 voters.

She also covers the August 3 Select Board meeting, the new Town website , the September 1 State Primary, Crocker Pond’s remaining schedule and upcoming community event, including the Singing Trooper Concert and the 10th annual Westminster Cracker Festival. Plus, a friendly reminder to help keep Academy Hill and the basketball courts clean for everyone.

Do you have feedback, questions, or ideas for future episodes? Email [email protected] — your input makes the show!

In this brief summer update, Stephanie shares what’s happening around Westminster, including Neighbors Helping Neighbors Benefit Day, the Nancy Green Award presentation, local events, recreation updates, road work, the Farmers Market, Crocker Pond and the Westminster app now in development.

The episode also includes an important reminder about the August 4th Special Town Meeting involving a citizens’ petition related to approximately ten acres of the Crocker Pond Recreation Area. Stephanie reviews the positions taken by local boards and committees, explains that there is no absentee or early voting for Town Meeting, and reminds residents that they must attend in person to participate and vote.

Do you have feedback, questions, or ideas for future episodes? Email [email protected] — your input makes the show!

It’s a big day, the Town Crier is turning 30! This week, we’re trading our usual summertime topics for a review of the democratic process, twenty year old deeds and some unexpected big Town business.

Stephanie breaks down the August 4 Special Town Meeting called by citizens’ petition, explains how the petition process works, review the proposal involving approximately ten acres of the Crocker Pond Recreation Area, and discuss why the several town boards and committees oppose the article. Plus, quick updates on first-quarter tax bills, the July South Street Sentinel and the latest Select Board meeting.  

Do you have feedback, questions, or ideas for future episodes? Email [email protected] — your input makes the show!

In this episode of The Town Crier, Stephanie shares Fourth of July and summer updates for Westminster, including the delivery of the Town’s official 250th anniversary reproduction of the Declaration of Independence by Representative Kim Ferguson’s office and the return of patriotic bunting on Town buildings and properties.

This episode also includes a recap of the June 29 Select Board meeting, an update on the new Westminster app, the adoption of the Strategic Staffing Plan, and information explanation of the Depot Road/Route 2A/State Road East roundabout as a MassDOT project, programmed for 2030.

Plus, a reminder that all non-emergency Town offices will be closed Monday, July 6, in observance of the Fourth of July holiday. Happy birthday, America and happy summer, Westminster!

Do you have feedback, questions, or ideas for future episodes? Email [email protected] — your input makes the show!

In this episode, Stephanie teams up with Select Board Chair Mike Cooley, to tackle local questions, clear up common misconceptions, and bust a few municipal myths about how municipal government really works. We cover the Massachusetts General Laws, local bylaws, home rule charters and what that means for Westminster, as well as, what the Select Board can and cannot do; why Town Meeting matters; public meetings vs public hearings; and all the places residents are able to go for information.

Plus, we recap the latest Select Board meeting, including the USA 250th Flag Day recognition, the Westminster Police commemorative patch, Public Safety Building Committee update, year-end transfers, Town Clerk transition, annual appointments, zoning referrals, and more.

Big surprise! We also tease the upcoming Town of Westminster app, meant to make our town government even more user friendly and easily accessible!

Do you have feedback, questions, or ideas for future episodes? Email [email protected] — your input makes the show!

This quick solo episode of The Town Crier is a fast lap around Westminster as June gets rolling. Stephanie covers upcoming Parks and Rec events, including JAWS Night at Crocker Pond and the Public Safety vs. Baseball and Softball Coaches game, plus the 5th Grade Flag Day Contest, Historical Society’s Townwide Yard Sale, Farmers Market, Crocker Pond opening, and Westminster’s WooSox Town Takeover Night.

There’s also a Select Board recap, an update on the June 1 PFAS informational meeting, reminders about board and committee reappointments, continued work at Academy Hill, and a timely note on black bear activity around town.

Do you have feedback, questions, or ideas for future episodes? Email [email protected] — your input makes the show!