West Boylston
Massachusetts
Town Of West Boylston
About Us:
Incorporated in 1808, West Boylston was created from parts of Shrewsbury, Boylston, Lancaster, Sterling and Holden. These lands had been parts of earlier grants made to the settlers of the region.
The 18th century witnessed the arrival of pioneers attracted to the area by the fertility of the soil and the opportunities for development afforded by its location at the site where the Quinapoxet River joins the Stillwater River to become the southern branch of the Nashua River.
Apple and rye farms flourished with a gradual change in the latter part of the century from agriculture to manufacturing as a mill complex grew along the above-mentioned rivers.
Familiar names that date from that period include Jonathan Fairbank, Edward Goodale, Robert B. Thomas, founder & editor of the Farmer's Almanac, and Ezra Beaman, who is referred to as "the father of West Boylston". Many of the streets in town were named after these people. Unwilling to travel to the Congregational Church in Boylston for church services and town meetings, thirty families, led by Ezra Beaman, constructed a church three miles west of Boylston on the site of the present common in West Boylston.
The State Legislature was petitioned and precinct status was granted in 1796. Finally, in 1808, the General Court incorporated West Boylston as a town. Ezra Beaman served simultaneously as Selectman, Treasurer and the first Representative of the Town to the Legislature.
West Boylston prospered through the 19th century and by 1890 contained 3,000 residents, five churches, ten schools and many mills and factories which included the Warfield Saw Mill, L. M. Harris Cotton Mill, West Boylston Manufacturing Company of Thread & Wire, the Cowee Grist Mill, the Clarendon Mill and Holbrook Mill where Erastus Bigelow learned about looms and invented the technique to improve carpet manufacturing. Boots and baskets were also manufactured here.
The availability of water power, which attracted the mills here, was responsible for the selection of West Boylston as the best site for a much needed reservoir to serve the needs of the city of Boston.
From 1896 through 1905 West Boylston endured the building of the reservoir and the destruction of its mills and farms, including the Beaman Farm and its famous Beaman Oak, four churches and eight schools as well as acres of fruit trees. Twenty-five houses and a cemetery were moved and over seventeen hundred residents were displaced.
A decade and $11,000,000 later the Wachusett Reservoir was completed with the impressive Old Stone Church (above) standing as the last remnant of the town which was once in the valley. No longer the industrial mill town it once was. West Boylston has grown in population and renewed vitality into a lovely residential community enhanced by the beauty of the tree-bordered Wachusett Reservoir.
Recent News
West Boylston School Committee : Purpose And Discussion On FY 2024 Budget - March 8, 2023
Public notice hereby given, in conformity with the requirements of the General Bylaws of the Town of West Boylston, Article XXIII – Public Hearing and Notice, that the School Committee will meet on Wednesday, March 8, 2023 at 6:30 pm for the…
Read More »Town Of West Boylston : Talk Trash to Us!
The West Boylston Solid Waste Advisory Team wants to learn how you manage your waste materials and recyclables. We want to keep our town safe and healthy for future generations and need your input and action. Click this link to access the survey!…
Read More »Town of West Boylston News - Christmas Tree Drop Off
Christmas trees can be dropped off at the DPW (35 Worcester Street) starting Tuesday, December 27, 2022 and continuing through Friday, January 13, 2023. Please place Christmas tree inside the orange barriers set up at the OLD residential sand/salt…
Read More »Call For Nominations- 16th Annual Town Administrator's Commitment To Excellence Award Program
Do you know an employee of the Town that has gone above and beyond the call of duty? Did you have a great experience with an employee? Has someone you know come up with an innovative idea or process? Do you know someone who found a way to save…
Read More »Town Of West Boylston News - Select Board: Amend Policy A-3 Adoption of Policies - November 30, 2022
PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE Notice is hereby given that the West Boylston Selectboard will hold a public hearing on Wednesday, November 30, 2022,.at 6:20 p.m. in the Selectboard’s Meeting Room, of the municipal offices located at 140 Worcester…
Read More »The Yard Waste Recycling Facility Will Be Open 8AM To 1PM This Friday, November 18, 2022
The Laurel Street Yard Waste Facility will be open 8:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. this Friday, 11/18/22. This is the last scheduled day the Yard Waste Facility will be open this year. Residents are urged to recycle their leaves, grass clippings and other…
Read More »The Yard Waste Recycling Facility Will Be Open 7AM to 12PM This Saturday, November 5, 2022
The Laurel Street Yard Waste Facility will be open 7:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. this Saturday, 11/5/22. Residents are urged to recycle their leaves, grass clippings and other easily raked materials through this facility, as disposal in the trash is…
Read More »Town of West Boylston News: State Election Information - November 8, 2022
Specimen Ballot Early Voting Hours State Election Warrant Ballot Questions 1-3 Ballot Question 4 Deadlines: October 29, 2022-Voter registration deadline November 1, 2022 at 5:00 pm-Deadline to submit vote by mail applications…
Read More »Town Of West Boylston - The Yard Waste Recycling Facility Will Be Open 8am To 1pm This Friday, October 21, 2022
The Laurel Street Yard Waste Facility will be open 8:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. this Friday, 10/21/22. Residents are urged to recycle their leaves, grass clippings and other easily raked materials through this facility, as disposal in the trash is…
Read More »Town Of West Boylston - Selectboard: Considering amending fees charged Fire and Town Clerk
Public notice is hereby given, in conformity with the requirements of the General Bylaws of the Town of West Boylston, ARTICLE XXIII - PUBLIC HEARING AND NOTICE, that the Selectboard will meet on Wednesday, November 2, 2022 at 6:05 p.m. for the…
Read More »Town Of West Boylston : Select Board Seeks Input For Goals And Objectives
The West Boylston Select Board is seeking your input! The Select Board will be setting goals and objectives for the new Town Administrator as well as for the Board in the coming weeks. Please share your thoughts on what you think these goals and…
Read More »Town Of West Boylston - Railroad Crossing Improvements starting Sunday 10-2
R.J. Corman Railroad Group has been engaged by railroad operator CSX Corporation to complete restoration to the three railroad crossings in West Boylston. The tentative schedule for construction is as follows: -Prescott Street Crossing - Sunday…
Read More »Town Of West Boylston News : The Yard Waste Recycling Facility Will Be Open 8AM to 1PM ThisFriday, September 9, 2022
The Laurel Street Yard Waste Facility will be open 8:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. this Friday, 9/9/22. Residents are urged to recycle their leaves, grass clippings and other easily raked materials through this facility, as disposal in the trash is…
Read More »Town Of West Boylston - September 6, 2022 State Primary Election Information
Early Voting starts this Saturday August 27, 2022 from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm. Please enter at door 1. Early Voting Schedule State Primary Warrant Vote by mail Application Track my ballot Sample Ballots Democratic, Republican We also have…
Read More »Town Of West Boylston News : Testing Of The Voting Equipment Prior To The State Primary Election
The town clerk’s office has scheduled the testing of the ballots and voting equipment prior to the september 6, 2022 state primary election. The test will be august 30, 2022 at 1:00 pm at town hall, 140 worcester st. The test is open to the…
Read More »Town Of West Boylston : Early Voting Dates and Hours for September
Click here to View the Information About Town Of West Boylston : Early Voting Dates and Hours for…
Read More »Don't Forget June 30, 2022 Is The Last Day To License Your Dog Without A Late Fee
You can license on line at https://unipaygold.unibank.com/customerinfo.aspx or print out application here and bring to the Town Clerk Office or put in the drop box. at 140 Worcester St. Please make sure we have a current rabies certificate on…
Read More »Town Of West Boylston - Street Sweeping Update
The DPW will begin sweeping streets previously scheduled for May 2nd - 6th (Prospect St, Woodland St, Thomas St, North Main St, Laurel St, Raymond Huntington Hwy, Beaman St, Prescott St, Fairbanks St) on Wednesday, April 27, 2022. Do not…
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