Westminster Select Board Approves Warrant, Seasonal Staff, and Police Grant Bid

ASHBURNHAM — April 27, 2026 — Westminster Select Board unanimously approved a $396,758.79 warrant and a slate of municipal actions at its April 27 meeting. The board authorized seasonal staffing for Crocker Pond — naming supervisor Jim Walker and five attendants — approved Dennis Ash as an alternate plumbing and gas inspector through June 30, accepted a $5,753 child passenger safety grant for the police department, and wrote off $1,500 in uncollectable fees. Police Chief LeMay briefed the board on the federal COPS Hiring Grant, expected to open in May, which would cover 75 percent of salary and fringe benefits for officers over three years, aligning with a staffing plan presented earlier this year; the board offered unanimous informal support without a formal vote. The meeting's lengthiest exchange involved a public comment from Meredith Began of 12 Bacon Street, who questioned whether Select Board member Missy Banks acted appropriately by contacting her privately about the Adams Street 40B project; Banks said she reached out in a personal capacity and clarified that the board's prior "friendly" 40B vote did not approve the 48-unit development but preserved the town's ability to negotiate with the developer ahead of ZBA hearings scheduled through October 6.