CodeRED, the emergency notifications system used by the Town of Goshen (and many others), experienced a targeted cyberattack that forced their system offline while they work on restoring the their service.

The Commonwealth Fusion Center, Massachusetts’ statewide cyber intelligence hub, has learned through their investigation that a ransomware group has taken responsibility for this attack, and the group has claimed that user account data has been stolen.

This data includes the following information for CodeRED users:

• names
• addresses
• email addresses
• phone numbers
• passwords used to create CodeRED accounts.

The Commonwealth Fusion Center recommends if you use the same password for CodeRED that you use for any other account, they strongly recommend changing those passwords right away.

CodeRED has decommissioned the old platform and is moving all customers to the new CodeRED by Crisis24 system, which was not impacted by the attack and has undergone additional security testing.

Updates will be posted as they become available, including when the service is restored and whether users will need to re-register.  Thank you for your patience and understanding.

Larry Holmberg
Emergency Management Director
Towns of Chesterfield & Goshen, MA

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION on this INCIDENT BELOW

CodeRED is used by local governments to deliver fast, targeted alerts during severe weather, evacuations, missing persons, and other urgent events.  Both the data breach and the service outage have serious implications for communities.

The OnSolve CodeRED system is a cloud-based platform used by city, county, and state agencies to send emergency alerts via voice calls, SMS, email, mobile app notifications, and national alerting systems.  Because of the incident, some regions temporarily lost access to the system and had to rely on social media or other methods to reach the public.

CodeRED is not the same as the Emergency Alert System (EAS), which is the federal government-managed emergency notifications system.  The CodeRED emergency notification system is a voluntary program where residents can sign up to receive notifications and emergency alerts affecting the municipality in which they live.

The cause is a ransomware attack claimed by the INC Ransom group. The group posted screenshots that show stolen customer data, including email addresses and associated clear-text passwords.

The INC Ransom group also published part of the alleged ransom negotiation, suggesting that Crisis24 (the provider behind CodeRED) initially offered $100,000, later increasing the offer to $150,000, which INC rejected.

The incident forced Crisis24 to shut down its legacy environment and rebuild the system in a new, isolated infrastructure.

Cyberattacks happen, and data breaches are not always preventable.  But storing your subscriber database—including passwords in clear text—is rather careless.  Providers should assume people reuse passwords, especially for accounts they don’t view as very sensitive.

Protecting yourself after a data breach

If you think you have been the victim of a data breach, here are some steps you can take to protect yourself:

• Check the vendor’s advice.  Every breach is different, so check with the vendor (see the top of this page) to find out what’s happened and follow any specific advice it offers.
• Change your password.  You can make a stolen password useless to thieves by changing it.  Choose a strong password that you don’t use for anything else.  Better yet, let a password manager choose one for you.
• Enable two-factor authentication.  If you can, use a FIDO2-compliant hardware key, laptop, or phone as your second factor.  Some forms of 2FA can be phished just as easily as a password, but 2FA that relies on a FIDO2 device can’t be phished.
• Watch out for impersonators. The thieves may contact you posing as the breached platform.  Check the official website to see if it’s contacting victims and verify the identity of anyone who contacts you using a different communication channel.
• Take your time. Phishing attacks often impersonate people or brands you know, and use themes that require urgent attention, such as missed deliveries, account suspensions, and security alerts.

The December edition of the Goshen COA newsletter can be found here: December 2025 COA NL

Here is the Notice of Filing, Public Hearing and Request for Comments issued by the Department of Public Utilities in the above-captioned proceeding:  D.P.U 25-128 _NGrid (elec) Notice 11.14.25

The Goshen Conservation Commission is looking for Members to join us protecting the Environment, Endangered Spices, and Drinking Water.

This is a voluntary Commission that meets the first and third Monday of the month at 6:00 p.m.

The Conservation Commission is charged with enforcing the Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act.   The law protects not only wetlands, but other resource areas, such as land open to flooding (100-year flood plains), the riverfront area (added by the rivers protection act), and land under water bodies and waterways.  The main objective of all the legislation/acts is protection of the Town’s precious water resources.

The law regulates many types of work in resource areas, including vegetation removal, regrading, and construction of houses, additions, decks, driveways, and commercial or industrial buildings.  If you want to work in a wetland resource area or within 100 feet of a wetland (an area called the buffer zone), contact the Conservation Commission before you start work.

If you are unsure whether your proposed work site is in a resource area or whether the work will alter a resource area, you can apply for a Request for Determination of Applicability.  If the Conservation Commission determines that the work will alter a resource area, you must file an application, this is called a Notice of Intent (NOI) and pay an application fee.

If you have questions, please call Charles Amo at 413-695-3500, or attend one of our meetings to see if you would like to help your town with this mission.

Thank you,
Charles Amo
Chairperson, Conservation Commission

The November edition of the Goshen COA newsletter can be found here: Goshen COA Nov. 2025 Newsletter

To see all the details click on the Re-Imagine Goshen Center Project 2025 Fundraiser Flyer

For full details click on this document:  2025 Hilltowns Hazardous Waste Collection Event

Here is the Notice of Filing, Public Hearing and Request for Comments issued by the Department of Public Utilities in the above-captioned proceeding: DPU 25-100

The October edition of the Goshen COA newsletter can be found here: Oct. 2025 Goshen COA Newsletter

The September edition of the Goshen COA newsletter can be found here: Sept. 2025 Goshen COA Newsletter

The August edition of the Goshen COA newsletter can be found here: Aug. 2025 Goshen COA Newsletter

The permalink above goes directly to the sub menu fireworks page under the Police Department page.

Follow this link to view, print or download the Annual Report 2024 in the documents section at the bottom of the Select Board page.

Annual Town Reports for beginning with 2016 are also in the documents section at the bottom of the Select Board Page.

The July 2025 COA newsletter for Goshen as well as the archive of all Goshen Council on Aging Newsletters from January 2018 to the present can be found by going to the Goshen Council on Aging Web Page and clicking on the link for Goshen COA Newsletters.

The Annual Town Meeting will be held on Saturday, June 14, 2025 at 9:30 a.m. in John James Memorial Town Hall.

Click here to view, download or print the Annual Town Meeting Warrant 2025-06-14 .   You may also find the warrant on the Select Board page in the “Select Board Documents” section.

A Finance Committee informational session for questions & answers will be held on Thursday, May12, 2025 at 6:00 p.m. in John James Memorial Town Hall.  Click on links below to view, print, or download the Finance Committee Budget Recommendations and FY 2026 .  You may also find these in the documents section on the Finance Committee page.

Finance Committee FY 2026 Proposed Budget as of 2025-06-09 for the Annual Town Meeting on 2025-06-14

Finance Committee FY 2026 Proposed Budget Levy Limit Calculations as of 2025-06-06 for the Annual Town Meeting on 2025-06-14

2025-06-12 Finance Committee FY 2026 Proposed Budget Review & Discussion Meeting Agenda

The June 2025 COA newsletter for Goshen as well as the archive of all Goshen Council on Aging Newsletters from January 2018 to the present can be found by going to the Goshen Council on Aging Web Page and clicking on the link for Goshen COA Newsletters.

The Annual Town Election will be held on Saturday, June 7th from 9am-1pm in the John James Memorial Hall, located at 42 Main Street.

Here is a sample ballot: Goshen ATE 2025 Sample Ballot

We invite you to take a few minutes that day to participate in your local government! Our election workers devote a good part of their Saturday to this endeavor and will be happy to see you.

Please contact Town Clerk Kristen Estelle with any questions or concerns: clerk@goshen-ma.us, 413-268-8236 x107.

Town Clerk Kristen Estelle reminds residents that the late fee for dog licenses goes into effect June 1st, 2025. The late fee is $25 per dog on top of the license fee.

To obtain a 2025 dog license, you can:

1. Stop by during office hours (Monday 8-2 & 6-8) and bring cash or check, valid rabies certificate, and spaying/neutering certificate, or
2. Mail the dog license form, fee(s) and certificate(s) along with a stamped self-addressed envelope for the return of the license(s) and tag(s) to: Goshen Town Clerk, 40 Main Street, Goshen, MA 01032, or
3. Drop the paperwork described in option B in the town clerk drop box, located to the left of the door to the town offices.

Additional dog licensing forms can be found here: www.goshen-ma.us/dog-licenses/

Please contact Kristen with any questions: clerk@goshen-ma.us, 413-268-8236 x107.

Annual Town Meeting Delayed to
Saturday, June 14th, 2025
9:30 am

After much discussion and after consultation with the Finance Committee, Town Moderator, Town Clerk and Town Counsel, the Goshen Select Board determined that it is in the best interests of the Town to delay the Annual Town Meeting this year.

The Select Board voted on Thursday night, May 8th, to delay our 2025 Annual Town Meeting to Saturday, June 14^th starting at 9:30 am.

Town Elections will take place as scheduled on June 7th.

The Select Board is aware that many of us plan our schedules around Town Meeting taking place on the third Saturday in May.  A series of circumstances over the past several weeks, including specific financial challenges and questions, have made it difficult to properly prepare a budget for presentation by the usual Town Meeting date.

We will continue to work to finalize the Annual Town Meeting Warrant and develop recommended town budgets.  We expect to discuss the options for dealing with budget questions at upcoming public meetings and at our Annual Town Meeting, which will now be held on Saturday, June 14^th at 9:30 am in the John James Memorial Town Hall.

We apologize for any inconvenience that the date change may cause and we thank you for your patience and understanding.

The Goshen Select Board

The  day-use area beach will be open after we conduct our first water quality test on May 19, 2025 and get the results back on the May 21, 2025. The beach will be unguarded until June 17, 2025 when lifeguards come on duty and roping is in place.  The official swimming season typically ends around Labor Day weekend.

Note that the beaches at DAR State Forest are NOT monitored or maintained by the Town of Goshen.  These are owned, operated and monitored through the Commonwealth of Massachusetts by the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR).

Water quality at both the Upper Highland Lake Campers and Upper Highland Lake Day Use beaches are monitored and tested by Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH).  The Interactive Beach Water Quality Dashboard will begin updating again on Memorial Day, May 26, 2025.  It is updated at 9:30am and 12:30pm every day (including weekends) during the swimming season.  if the water is considered unsafe, notices will be posted at the two beaches by state officials.  You may also call the DAR Headquarters at (413) 268 7098, or, email the headquarters at dar.forest@state.ma.us. 

Massachusetts has a web page with FAQs about Monitoring Water Quality at Beaches that provides information on the following:

• Why are beaches tested?
• What are indicator organisms?
• Are all beaches in Massachusetts monitored?
• How do bacteria get in beach water?
• What are the risks associated with bacteria in beach water?
• How is beach water tested?
• How often is beach water tested?
• Why do beaches close?
• When will the beach re-open?
• How do I know if it is safe to swim?
• Can I still go to the beach if it is posted closed to swimming?
• If I accidentally swam at a closed beach, and now feel sick, what should I do?
• How can I keep beaches clean?

If you wish to see historical data on contamination at particular beaches go to the Water quality at Massachusetts swimming beaches web page and you can view data from 2010 to the year before the current swimming season.  Note that Goshen beaches are on the Freshwater beach report.

For more information about the DAR State Forest go to their website at DAR State Forest website.  The website will have information on the following areas:

• Download a trail map
• Reserve a campsite:  First night of camping at the DAR is May 11, 2025.  All campers must have a reservation to camp.  Reservations can be made through the Reserve America web site or by calling 1-877-422-6762.
• Self-guided opportunities
• DCR Trip Tip family self-guided adventures
• Hours
• Parking and fees:  Daily parking fees begin on Saturday May 24, 2025 and remain in place through the Monday of Labor Day weekend.
• Activities
• Facilities
• Accessibility
• Restrictions

This post goes directly to the BOH sub page on this topic.

Open Burning season ENDS May 1, 2025.

Go to the Open Burning Permits page to learn all the town & state requirements, safety information and when and how to apply for your required permit.

The May 2025 COA newsletter for Goshen as well as the archive of all Goshen Council on Aging Newsletters from January 2018 to the present can be found by going to the Goshen Council on Aging Web Page and clicking on the link for Goshen COA Newsletters.

The Annual Town Election will be held on Saturday, June 7th from 9am-1pm in the John James Memorial Hall, located at 42 Main Street. A sample ballot can be found here: Goshen ATE 2025 Sample Ballot

In addition to in person voting on election day, Vote by Mail is a permanent option for all Massachusetts voters. You can register to do so in the following ways:

1. Submit a signed application via email, mail or fax to the town clerk’s office: Massachusetts Vote by Mail Application

It must include a signature that can be compared to your handwritten signature. Electronic signatures, scanned applications, and photos of applications are acceptable.

2. Use the State’s Mail-in Ballot Application System, found here: Mail-In Ballot Registration Status : Search

To participate in the upcoming Annual Town Election, there are a few important deadlines to keep in mind. If you wish to vote by mail, your application must be submitted in writing and received by the town clerk’s office no later than 5 p.m. on Monday, June 2nd. It’s important to apply as early as possible, particularly if your ballot will be mailed out of town. The U.S. Postal Service recommends allowing up to seven days for mail delivery, so to ensure you receive your ballot in time to return it, it’s best to apply two to three weeks before Election Day. Additionally, the last day to register to vote in order to participate in the election is Wednesday, May 28th. Registration will be available in the town clerk’s office from 9 to 11 a.m. and again from 3 to 5 p.m. on that day.

The Annual Town Meeting is scheduled to take place a few weeks before the election, on Saturday, May 17th at 9:30 a.m., and will be held at the John James Memorial Hall, located at 42 Main Street. To participate in the meeting, residents must be registered to vote by Wednesday, May 7th. Voter registration will be available that day at the town clerk’s office from 9 to 11 a.m. and again from 3 to 5 p.m. on that day.

Please contact Town Clerk Kristen Estelle with any questions or concerns: clerk@goshen-ma.us, 413-268-8236 x107.

The Town of Goshen received a grant through the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission (PVPC) for a comprehensive zoning bylaw review and analysis.  The PVPC’s final analysis and report can be found on the Planning Board Page Documents Section

This post automatically goes to the Vernal Pool sub menu page on the Open Space Committee page.

Your Voice, Our Future:  Be Part of a Goshen Climate Preparedness
Discussion sponsored by the Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness Program (MVP)

Goshen residents, businesses, and surrounding community members are invited to a luncheon and discussion where they can share insights into how best we can support our neighbors and build social resilience.  Come to listen, engage, learn, have your voice heard and share a meal with fellow Goshen residents.

The community event is set for Saturday, March 29, 2025, from 11 AM to 2 PM at the Goshen Town Hall, located at 42 Main Street, Goshen.

Attendees will learn about priorities already identified by the Town of Goshen to build community resilience and have a chance to contribute to a new priority list in friendly discussion groups.  There will be opportunities to provide input and feedback related to individual experiences with climate-related hazards in Goshen.  Municipal officials and PVPC staff will be available to answer questions and respond to input.  Supervised child-friendly activities and transportation assistance are available.

This effort is being organized by the Town with assistance from the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission (PVPC) and is funded by the Executive Office of Energy & Environmental Affairs, Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness (MVP) program.

For more information about this event, please contact PVPC’s Matt Liebel at mliebel@pvpc.org or (413) 781-6045.

Please RSVP in advance with Ruby Hutt at greiner555@yahoo.com

Stanley Tree, working for National Grid, will be in town next week removing trees on East Street and South Chesterfield Road.

Due to the complexity and size of the trees to be removed, Stanley is bringing a crane which will cause some road closures during the week.

Tuesday, March 25^th, from 8:00AM to 4:00PM

East Street will have intermittent road closures.  Most of the time, the road will be passable but there will be times when the road is closed in some locations.

Wednesday, March 26^th, Thursday, March 27^th, from 8:00AM to 4:00PM
and Friday, March 28^th, from approx. 8:00AM to 12:00PM

South Chesterfield will be closed from the South Main intersection to Pond Hill to through traffic.  Local traffic / residents will be able to utilize the road during this time.

Friday, March 28^th, From approx. Noon to 4:00PM

South Chesterfield will be closed from the Cherry Road to Dresser Hill Road.

Officers will be on scene each day to help provide guidance to drivers seeking alternative routes.

If you have questions please contact Police Chief Fred Bezio at (413) 268 3210, or via email to goshenmapd@gmail.com.

The April COA newsletter for Goshen can be found here: Goshen_Newsletter_2025-04.pdf

Additionally, the archive of all Goshen Council on Aging Newsletters from January 2018 to the present can be found by going to the Goshen Council on Aging Web Page and clicking on the link for Goshen Council on Aging Newsletters.

Town Caucus

The 2025 Town Caucus will be held on Monday, April 14th at 7pm in the town hall. All registered voters are invited to participate. Please consider joining us so we make our quorum of 25 voters. Once a quorum is met, the meeting is generally over in less than 15 minutes.

Here is a list of the positions up for nomination and the individuals who currently occupy the seats: 2025 Town Caucus Call   The individuals with a “NO” next to their name want to step down; the others have expressed an interest in continuing.  Here is a document that briefly describes the positions up for election this year: 2025 Elected Positions descriptions

The Annual Town Meeting will be held on Saturday, May 17th, 2025.

The Annual Town Election will be held on Saturday, June 7th, 2025.

Please contact Town Clerk Kristen Estelle with any questions: clerk@goshen-ma.us, 413-268-8236 x107.

The Chesterfield Fire Department will be hosting a Rabies Clinic on April 5, 2025 from 10am-12pm at 5 North Road in Chesterfield. See the flyer below for more details.

The March COA newsletter for Goshen can be found here: Goshen COA NL March 2025

Additionally, the archive of all Goshen Council on Aging Newsletters from January 2018 to the present can be found by going to the Goshen Council on Aging Web Page and clicking on the link for Goshen Council on Aging Newsletters.

Just a friendly reminder to please return the 2025 Annual Street Listings that were mailed to each household in early January. If you haven’t received one, you can find printable blank copies on the Town Clerk webpage at www.goshen-ma.us/annual-street-listing/ or contact me to receive another: clerk@goshen-ma.us. Please fill out info for everyone who lives in your house, sign and return to 40 Main St. Goshen, MA 01032. Responding to the street listing will keep you on the active voting list if you are registered to vote.

Also, please register your dog(s) before licenses expire March 31^st. Neutered/ spayed dogs cost $5 each to register; intact dogs are $10. Dog licensing forms were mailed with the street listings and can also be found here: www.goshen-ma.us/dog-licenses/

To register your dog(s), you can:

1. Stop by during office hours (Monday 8-2 & 6-8) and bring cash or check, valid rabies certificate, and spaying/neutering certificate, or
2. Mail the dog license form, fee(s) and certificate(s) along with a stamped self-addressed envelope for the return of the license(s) and tag(s) to: Goshen Town Clerk, 40 Main Street, Goshen, MA 01032.
3. Drop the paperwork off in the town clerk drop box, located to the left of the door to the town offices.

Please contact Town Clerk Kristen Estelle with any questions or concerns: clerk@goshen-ma.us, 413-268-8236 x107.

The February COA newsletter for Goshen can be found here: Goshen_Newsletter_2025-02.pdf

Additionally, the archive of all Goshen Council on Aging Newsletters from January 2018 to the present can be found by going to the Goshen Council on Aging Web Page and clicking on the link for Goshen Council on Aging Newsletters.

Open Burning season is from January 15, 2025 – May 1, 2025.

Go to the Open Burning Permits page to learn all the town & state requirements, safety information and to apply for your required permit.

Just a reminder that the town has a bylaw against depositing snow on town roads that carries a fine.  The bylaw is below for your reference.  Go to the Police Department page on this website if you need to report this activity.

The January COA newsletter for Goshen can be found here: Goshen_Newsletter_2025-01.pdf

Additionally,  the archive of all Goshen Council on Aging Newsletters from January 2018 to the present can be found by going to the Goshen Council on Aging Web Page and clicking on the link for Goshen Council on Aging Newsletters.

Happy New Year!

The 2025 Annual Street Listings have been mailed to each household in Goshen, and you should be receiving yours soon. If you don’t receive one, blank copies are available here: Annual-Street-Listing-form. Please fill out information for everyone who lives in your house, sign and return to 40 Main St. Goshen, MA 01032. It is important that we keep an accurate count of residents as it determines state and federal funding for our town. Responding to the street listing will also keep you on the active voting list if you are registered to vote.

There has been a delay in receiving our dog licenses for this year. I expect to have them in hand by January 13^th. A dog licensing form was mailed with the street listing. You can also find it here: Dog-License-Form 2025 Neutered/ spayed dogs cost $5 each to register; intact dogs are $10 (cash or check made out to the Town of Goshen). Last year’s licenses expire on March 31st, 2025.

To register your dog(s), you can:

1. Stop by during office hours (Monday 8am-2pm & 6-8pm) and bring cash or check, valid rabies certificate, and spaying/neutering certificate.
2. Mail the dog license form, fee(s) and certificate(s) along with a stamped self-addressed envelope for the return of the license(s) and tag(s) to: Goshen Town Clerk, 40 Main Street, Goshen, MA 01032.
3. Drop the paperwork off in the town clerk drop box, located to the left of the door to the town offices.

Please mark the following town events on your calendar:

Monday, April 14^th:          Town Caucus

Saturday, May 17^th:         Annual Town Meeting

Saturday, June 7^th:            Annual Town Election

Here is the town information sheet that was included in the street listing mailing: 2025 Town Info One change that is not reflected on that sheet is that the Tax Collector’s office has new hours this year. Beginning January 9^th, in person payments can be made on Thursdays from 12-2pm. There will be additional evening in person hours on Wednesdays the week before and the week after a bill’s due date.

Please contact Town Clerk Kristen Estelle with any questions or concerns: clerk@goshen-ma.us, 413-268-8236 x107.

The Collector’s office will be adjusting hours this year. In person payments can be made on Thursdays from 12-2pm beginning January 9th. We will have additional evening in person hours on Wednesdays the week before and the week after a bill’s due date.  If you have any questions, you can email collector@goshen-ma.us, or call or text 413-474-2692.