Town of Westminster Annual Report 2014 Photo by Mark and Ronelle Adam of Westminster, MA Photo: Sadie Town of Westminster 2014 Annual Town Report 2014 Town of Westminster 2014 IN MEMORIAM Thomas W. Connell, Sr. 1939 – 2014 Thomas Connell moved to Westminster with his family in 1970. Tom was a Police Officer first serving in Westminster and Ashburnham starting in1973. He was an active community member serving on the Historical Commission, the Old Town Hall Needs Assessment Committee, and the Home Heating Assistance Committee. Tom was a US Army Veteran and member of the American Legion. He was a long time member of Our Savior Lutheran Church serving for years on the church council and Living Nativity Committee. Tom was active with the Boy Scouts as a youth, starting in 1949, and serving in multiple positions, including Cubmaster, Scoutmaster, and Committee Chair for units in Westminster from 1973 through 2013. Edward “Rick” Haimila 1944 – 2014 Rick was a long time Westminster resident. He faithfully served his community by working for the Westminster Police Department for twenty years and will be fondly remembered and missed by many. Town of Westminster 2014 IN MEMORIAM Phyllis Henstridge 1919 – 2014 Phyllis was a descendant of one of Westminster’s earliest families. She was born and lived in Westminster all of her life where she served as Town Clerk from 1972 – 1984. As Town Clerk, she rarely missed a Town Meeting or a day at work. Phyllis was dedicated to serving the Town of Westminster throughout her life - a Girl Scout Leader, a 4-H Leader, a supporter of school activities, and always a ready car pool driver. Mrs. Henstridge was a member of the First Congregational Church of Westminster. Karen King 1969 – 2014 Karen King served the Town of Westminster as their IT Consultant. In addition to working for the Town, Karen was also a very active member of the First Congregational Church of Westminster, and was very passionately involved with the local Boy Scout chapter. Karen passed away following a courageous yearlong battle against Ovarian Cancer. Town of Westminster 2014 IN MEMORIAM Robert Carter Mason, Sr. 1927 – 2014 Bob was a longtime resident of Westminster; he served in the US Navy during World War II and the Korean War. Many years ago he owned Mason Logging in town. Bob was a lifetime member of the Westminster Rod and Gun Club, he was best known for telling stories about his life in this town. More recently, Mr. Mason was a member of the Historical Society and was appointed to the Historical Commission of Westminster; he also served on the Westminster Cemetery Commission from 1997-2002. Lieutenant Colonel John Joseph McCall 1926 – 2014 Lt. Col. McCall served in both the US Army and Navy in World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War. Upon his retirement from the armed services he and his family moved to Westminster, where he continued his public service on the Board of Registrars for many years. Additionally, Jack was a member of the local V.F.W. as Quartermaster from 1984-88, and the American Legion Post 174, where he was the Commander from 1975-78. Town of Westminster 2014 IN MEMORIAM Anthony “Tony” Tucker 1952 – 2013 Tony was a long time resident of the Town of Westminster. At the time of his appointment to the Advisory Board, he worked for Digital Equipment Corporation. His strong financial background and knowledge of the high tech industry was an asset to the town as Tony is credited with bringing the first desktop computers to Town Hall. Tony loved the Town of Westminster and enjoyed sharing his expertise. He was a member of the Advisory Board from 1988 through 1994 and served as the Chairman for several years. Tony resigned from the Advisory Board after being diagnosed with ALS. Bruce Vincent 1962 – 2014 Bruce owned and operated Vincent’s Country Store since its opening in 1992. It was at the store that Bruce worked and served his community until 2012, when he sold the store to his son. In 2008, Bruce was named Westminster Businessman of the Year. INDEX Agricultural Commission ........................................................................... 165 Animal Control Officer .............................................................................. 188 Appointed Officials ........................................................................................ 1 Board of Assessors ..................................................................................... 129 Board of Health ............................................................................................ 79 Board of Selectmen ........................................................................................ 8 Building Department .................................................................................... 73 Capital Planning Committee ....................................................................... 187 Cemetery Commission ............................................................................... 164 Conservation Commission .......................................................................... 156 Constable ...................................................................................................... 42 Council on Aging ...................................................................................... 160 Crocker Pond Committee ........................................................................... 199 Cultural Council ......................................................................................... 197 Economic Development Committee ........................................................... 195 Elected Officials ........................................................................................... 10 Emergency Management .............................................................................. 65 Energy Advisory Committee ...................................................................... 196 Fire Department ............................................................................................ 56 Forbush Memorial Library ......................................................................... 131 Hager Park .................................................................................................. 157 Historical Commission ............................................................................... 159 Liquor Commission .................................................................................... 200 Master Plan Committee ................................................................................ 78 Memorial Committee.................................................................................. 168 Open Space Committee .............................................................................. 169 Parks & Recreation ..................................................................................... 201 Personnel Board ......................................................................................... 121 Planner/Planning Board ................................................................................ 75 Police Department ........................................................................................ 43 Public Works (Highway, Water, Sewer & Solid Waste) .............................. 68 School Report - Ashburnham-Westminster Regional School District ............................ 170 Meetinghouse/Westminster Elementary School .................................... 177 Montachusett Regional Vocational Technical School ........................... 136 Oakmont Regional School District ........................................................ 174 Overlook Middle School ....................................................................... 179 Senior Center Building Committee ............................................................ 162 Town Accountant ......................................................................................... 86 Town Clerk ................................................................................................... 12 Vote Taken at Annual Town Election, April 29, 2014 ............................ 14 Vote Taken at Annual Town Meeting, May 3, 2014 ............................... 16 Vote Taken at Special Town Meeting, May 3, 2014 ............................... 27 Vote Taken at Special Town Meeting, July 22, 2014 ............................. 27 Results of State Primary, September, 9 2014 .......................................... 27 Vote Taken at Special Town Election, September 16, 2014 ................... 33 Vote Taken at State Election, November 4, 2014 ................................... 33 Vote Taken at Special Town Meeting, November 18, 2014 ................... 36 Town Collector ........................................................................................... 117 Town Treasurer .......................................................................................... 115 Aggregate Annual Remuneration of Town Employees ......................... 122 Tree Warden ............................................................................................... 155 Veterans’ Services ...................................................................................... 163 Zoning Board of Appeals ........................................................................... 198 Town of Westminster 2014 Board of Selectmen Appointments Term *Denotes Chairman Expires Affordable Housing Committee Paul Aldrich Affordable Housing Committee Marie Auger Affordable Housing Committee