Episodes

  • Episode 25 - Town Meeting Takeaways & 25 Episodes

    Episode 25 - Town Meeting Takeaways & 25 Episodes
    May 7 2026
    Happy quarter of a century (in episodes) to the Town Crier podcast! This is a milestone event packed with some of Westminster’s biggest updates of the season. Stephanie recaps the May 2, 2026 Special and Annual Town Meetings, where all 25 warrant articles passed; including the FY27 operating budget, capital improvements, staffing additions, and some important public safety bylaw updates.

    The episode also reviews Annual Town Election results, celebrates the official return of Farmers Market season, and highlights upcoming community events including JAWS Movie Night at Crocker Pond, the Municipal Softball Game, and Light the Town Purple in support of Relay for Life Gardner.

    Listeners will also hear updates on Academy Hill Playground, ongoing landscaping improvements, a reminder about the upcoming June 1st PFAS informational session hosted by the Board of Health, and a well-deserved shoutout to Westminster’s maintenance team for restoring the Academy Hill gazebo floor.

    Do you have feedback, questions, or ideas for future episodes? Email podcast@westminster-ma.gov — your input makes the show!
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    38 mins
  • Episode 24 - Breaking Down the Budget: Inside the Advisory Board Book

    Episode 24 - Breaking Down the Budget: Inside the Advisory Board Book
    Apr 23 2026
    In Episode 24 of The Town Crier, host Stephanie welcomes Advisory Board Chair Lisa Rocheleau to discuss the Board’s vital role in shaping Westminster’s budget and preparing for Annual Town Meeting.

    The episode also features a Select Board meeting recap, key community updates from the South Street Sentinel, Summer Recreation sign-up dates, and spring beautification efforts around town including town cleanup day, improvements to the gazebo and the refurbishment of the Academy Hill cannon. Stay informed and ready for the Annual Town Election on April 28 and Town Meeting on May 2.

    Do you have feedback, questions, or ideas for future episodes? Email podcast@westminster-ma.gov — your input makes the show!
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    45 mins
  • Episode 23 - Town Meeting 101: What You Need to Know

    Episode 23 - Town Meeting 101: What You Need to Know
    Apr 9 2026
    Town Meeting season is here, and in Episode 23 of The Town Crier, we break it all down in a way that actually makes sense.This solo episode walks you through what to expect at the May 2 Special and Annual Town Meetings, highlights key warrant articles including the FY2027 budget, staffing requests, capital plan, and bylaw updates and explains how to use the Advisory Board booklet to understand what you’re voting on.

    We also cover what Chapter 40B means for Westminster and provide an update on the proposed Adams Street project and upcoming public hearings.Plus, a reminder that the Annual Town Election will be held on April 28 from 7AM–8PM at the Senior Community Center.

    Do you have feedback, questions, or ideas for future episodes? Email podcast@westminster-ma.gov — your input makes the show!
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    42 mins
  • Episode 22 - From Farm Stands to Town Stands: Growing Westminster's Agricultural Roots

    Episode 22 - From Farm Stands to Town Stands: Growing Westminster's Agricultural Roots
    Mar 26 2026
    In this episode of The Town Crier, we are joined by ML Altobelli, Chair of the Agricultural Commission and a founding member of the Westminster Farmers Market. The conversation highlights Westminster’s agricultural roots, what it means to be a Right to Farm community, and how local farming continues to shape the town’s character and future.

    We also recap the March 16 Select Board meeting, including key approvals, a Memorial Day military flyover, updates on the Westminster Country Club ownership transition to Westminster Golf Club LLC, and a preview of the FY2027 budget and upcoming Town Meeting articles.

    Additional updates include information on the Summer Recreation Program, seasonal employment opportunities, and the return of the Farmers Market season. As promised in the episode, the Agricultural Commission’s Backyard Growing Series Pollinator Event will be held on April 23 at 6:30pm at the Westminster Senior Community Center, free and open to the public!

    Do you have feedback, questions, or ideas for future episodes? Email podcast@westminster-ma.gov — your input makes the show!
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    1 hr and 1 min
  • Episode 21-Restoring a Landmark: The Future of Westminster's Old Town Hall

    Episode 21-Restoring a Landmark: The Future of Westminster's Old Town Hall
    Mar 12 2026
    In this episode of The Town Crier, we are joined by Tom Paquette of Pillar & Post LLC, the new-ish owner of Westminster’s historic Old Town Hall. Tom shares what drew him to the project, his vision for restoring the building, and how the redevelopment will preserve one of Westminster’s most iconic landmarks while giving it new life.

    We also recap the March 2 Select Board meeting, share results from the recent Citizen’s Caucus, highlight seasonal employment opportunities with the Town, and introduce our new Farmers Market Minute segment with information on upcoming agricultural programs and the start of the market season.Tune in for town updates, community news, and a look at what’s ahead for Westminster.

    Do you have feedback, questions, or ideas for future episodes? Email podcast@westminster-ma.gov — your input makes the show!
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    1 hr and 5 mins
  • Episode 20 - Snow, Schedules, and A Hint of Spring

    Episode 20 - Snow, Schedules, and A Hint of Spring
    Feb 26 2026
    In this solo administrative update, we recap the February 23 snow state of emergency, thank our incredible DPW and public safety teams (seriously, they’ve been outstanding), preview the rescheduled Select Board agenda.

    We also launch a brand new, spring centric segment: Farmers Market Minute your go-to source for spring gardening tips, backyard growing info, and everything happening with our Agricultural Commission and more specifically during our May–October Farmers Market. Don’t miss details on the free Backyard Growing Series starting March 19 at the Senior Community Center. Learn more at: www.westminstermafarmersmarket.com

    Plus: Tech Thursdays at the Library, budget season updates, and what’s ahead as we eventually thaw out.
    Be sure to follow and listen at AWCM.org, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, or wherever you stream and share with a neighbor who likes staying in the loop.

    Do you have feedback, questions, or ideas for future episodes? Email podcast@westminster-ma.gov — your input makes the show!
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    22 mins
  • Episode 19 - Back in Session: Public Safety, Policy, and What's Ahead

    Episode 19 - Back in Session: Public Safety, Policy, and What's Ahead
    Feb 12 2026
    Stephanie is back with her first guest of 2026, Police Chief Matt LeMay. They discuss what brought him to Westminster, what he’s learned about the community so far, small-town policing, staffing, and the department’s new public-facing Police Bulletin.

    Plus, she debuts a new Select Board Meeting Recap segment covering key highlights from the February 9 meeting, and share details on Parks & Rec February vacation events for Westminster kids

    Do you have feedback, questions, or ideas for future episodes? Email podcast@westminster-ma.gov — your input makes the show!
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    1 hr and 2 mins
  • Episode 18 - Winter Storm Fern

    Episode 18 - Winter Storm Fern
    Jan 29 2026
    Episode 18 is a short, solo update after Winter Storm Fern threw a wrench into our regularly scheduled programming. Stephanie recaps the storm (nearly two feet of snow, no power outages or major issues), thanks DPW and Public Safety; she shares important winter safety reminders, and explains why the Select Board meeting and a new segment debut had to be rescheduled. Budget season is officially underway, and even when plans change, our commitment to keeping Westminster informed stays the same.

    Do you have feedback, questions, or ideas for future episodes? Email podcast@westminster-ma.gov — your input makes the show
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    22 mins