Town News & Announcements

The Annual Town Election will be held on Saturday, June 1st from 9am-1pm in the John James Memorial Hall, located at 42 Main Street. A sample ballot can be found here: SAMPLE Goshen ATE 2024 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 (state.ma.us)                                                                                                                               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 (state.ma.us)

Any mail-in ballot must be requested in writing by 5 p.m. on Friday, May 24^th. Your application can only be accepted if it has reached the town clerk’s office by the deadline. Apply as early as possible, especially if your ballot will need to be mailed out of town. The U.S. Postal Service recommends allowing up to 7 days for mail delivery. To ensure you receive your ballot with enough time to mail it back, you should apply 2-3 weeks before Election Day. The last day to register to vote in time to participate in the Annual Town Election is Wednesday, May 22^nd , 9-11am and 3-5pm in the town clerk’s office.

The Annual Town Meeting will be held a few weeks before the election on Saturday, May 18^th at 9:30am in the John James Memorial Hall at 42 Main Street. The last day to register to vote in time to participate in the Annual Town Meeting is Wednesday, May 8^th, 9-11am and 3-5pm, in the town clerk’s office.

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

For a complete list of current project updates click on Re-Imagine Goshen Center Project postings in Town News & Announcements.

The Planning Board for the Town of Goshen will hold a public hearing regarding proposed amendments to the Zoning Bylaw on Monday, April 29 at 6:00 p.m. in the Goshen Town Hall, 42 Main Street, Goshen, MA.

The Planning Board will present and discuss a proposal to amend the current Excavation section and replace it with an Earth Moving section.

All interested persons should attend.  Copies of the proposed bylaws are available for review at the office of the Town Clerk and at the link below.  They are also available in the documents section at the bottom of the Planning Board page:

Earth Moving Bylaw proposed by the Planning Board – April 2024

Town Caucus

The 2024 Town Caucus will be held on Monday, April 8th at 7pm in the town hall. All registered voters are invited to participate. Any registered voter may be nominated for any of the positions below. 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: 2024 Town Caucus Call  The individuals with a “NO” next to their name want to step down; the others have expressed an interest in continuing, except for the one with a question mark next to it. I did not hear back from that individual. Here is a document that briefly describes the positions up for election this year: Elected Position Descriptions

The Annual Town Election for the attached offices will be held on Saturday, June 1^st, 2024.

The Annual Town Meeting will be held on Saturday, May 18^th, 2024.

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

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. 23-155_Notice (3.5.24)

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. 23-154_Notice 3.5.24

Temperature changes and heavy rain have resulted in difficult and damaging conditions on multiple Town roads, especially unpaved surfaces.  Ball road is particularly difficult due to muddy conditions and has been closed to nonresident traffic & to prevent large vehicles from creating further damage.  Residents who must use Ball Road, should approach with extreme caution. The Highway Department is continuing to address the situation as weather and conditions allow and is prioritizing the most severely impacted roads.

The unofficial state election results from our town today can be found here: Goshen Pres. Primary 3.5.24 Unofficial Results .   We had 35% voter turnout.

I’d like to thank our dedicated election workers:

Evelyn Kellogg-Culver, Warden

Shannon Wade, Warden

Kerry Normandin

Kit Rock

Charlie Amo

Nick Cockoros

Abby Kingman

Henrietta Munroe

Roxanne Cunningham

Paula Pedersen

Barbara LeBeau

Jenny Bisbee

Roger Culver

Marya Zilberberg

Melanie Dana

Jim Lyons

Tammy Lyons

I also thank my assistant, Gina Papineau, for all her help, and custodian Ron Loven and his wife, Joanie, for setting up the Town Hall.

Do you have any interest in being an election worker? Please contact me if you do. We could always use more help. 413-268-8236 x107, clerk@goshen-ma.us

Election season is upon us! The March 5^th Presidential Primary is less than 5 weeks away.

The last day to register to vote for the Presidential Primary is Saturday, February 24^th, 2024. There will be in person voter registration available in the Town Clerk’s Office, 40 Main Street, that day from 9am-11am and 3-5pm. You can also register to vote at: www.sec.state.ma.us/OVR/

There are three options for casting your vote for the Primary:

1. Vote in person, on election day, March 5th, 7am-8pm in the John James Memorial Hall.
2. Vote early in person, on Saturday, February 24^th from 9am-1pm or Monday, February 26^th  from 9am-1pm in the John James Memorial Hall.
3. Vote by mail. Every registered voter should have received a prepaid post card from the Secretary of the State’s office, asking if you’d like to vote by mail. If you’d prefer to vote in person, just discard the post card. No action needed. If you do want to vote by mail, I must receive your application by Tuesday, February 27^th  at 5pm in order to have your ballot mailed to you.

If you didn’t receive the vote by mail post card, you can request a ballot using the State portal: Mail-In Ballot Registration Status : Search (state.ma.us) or go to Massachusetts Vote by Mail Application (state.ma.us) to print out an application. Once filled out, it can be emailed, mailed or dropped off at my office. You may also request a vote by mail ballot by writing a letter to the Town Clerk (40 Main St. Goshen, MA 01032). Be sure to include your name and address, the election(s) for which you are requesting a ballot, and your signature. If you need the ballot mailed somewhere other than your home, be sure to provide that address. Please allow ample mailing time for this application and for the ballot. The ballot must be returned to the Town Clerk’s Office by close of the polls on election day in order to be counted. Ballots that arrive after that time – even if they are postmarked on or before Election Day – will not be counted.

We had 46% voter turnout for the Primary in 2020. Let’s see if we can beat that!

In other news: Just a friendly reminder to please return the 2024 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 8:30-2:30 & 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.

There is now a Re-Imagine Goshen Center Project Page.  Currently, this page has the following information:

• A link to the Re-Imagine Goshen Center Project donation page
• Re-Imagine Goshen Center Project documents
• Re-Imagine Goshen Center Project FAQs with info on the following items
  • The mission of the Re-imagine Goshen Center project
  • How this project will impact Goshen center
  • What are the proposed changes
  • What else will the newly enhanced town center offer
  • How is the project being funded
  • How do I volunteer to help with the Re-imagine Goshen Center project
  • Contact email address for the project

Alternatively, you may navigate to the Open Space Committee page and click on the Re-Imagine Goshen Center Project sub menu.

As new information on the project becomes available the project page will be updated and Town New and Announcements on the Home Page will also indicate updates.

For a complete list of current project updates click on Re-Imagine Goshen Center Project postings in Town News & Announcements.

Open Burning season is from January 15, 2024 – May 1, 2024.

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.

Happy New Year!

The 2024 Annual Street Listings have been mailed to each household in Goshen, and you should be receiving yours soon. 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. 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.

Additionally, the 2024 dog licenses are in! A dog licensing form was mailed with the street listing. Neutered/ spayed dogs cost $5 each to register; intact dogs are $10. To register your dog(s), you can:

1. Stop by during office hours (Monday 8:30am-2:30pm & 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.

Last year’s licenses expire on March 31st, 2024. Additional dog licensing forms can be found here: www.goshen-ma.us/dog-licenses/

 A big election year is upon us! Please mark the following on your calendar:

Tuesday, March 5^th:        Presidential Primary

Saturday, June 1^st:           Annual Town Election

Tuesday, Sept. 3^rd:          State Primary

Tuesday, Nov. 5^th:            Presidential/ State Election

Every registered voter in Massachusetts will be receiving a post card in the mail soon from the State asking if they would like to vote by mail for any or all of the above elections. If you do, please return the post card. If not, no action needed. Not sure if you are registered to vote? Find out here: https://www.sec.state.ma.us/OVR/

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

Here is the Notice of Filing and Public Hearings issued by the Department of Public Utilities in the above-captioned proceeding: D.P.U. 23-150 Notice of Filing and Public Hearings

To make a donation by check or credit card go to the Re-Imagine Goshen project donation page, fill out the form and select add to cart.

Alternatively, you may navigate to the Open Space Committee page and click on the Re-Imagine Goshen Center sub menu.

QUILT RAFFLE DRAWING WINNER

On December 11, 2023 a group of Goshen residents gathered in the town office for the quilt raffle drawing.  The full/queen size quilt with a log cabin pattern, was pieced and donated by Lorraine Brisson, and professionally quilted by Sue’s Quilt Studio, Chester, VT.  With much anticipation, the winning ticket was selected. Congratulations go to raffle winner, Kathy Heminway, of Ellington, CT.   Thank you to everyone who donated in support of this fundraiser.  We raised $1,291. The quilt pattern for Fall 2024 has been selected and we have begun piecing the quilt.  Stay tuned for more information at a later date.

QUILT RAFFLE

The Open Space Committee is pleased to announce a quilt raffle. This quilt is constructed of cotton fabric and fits a double/queen bed.  The blocks are sewn in a log cabin pattern of contrasting dark and light strips.  Surrounding the blocks are a piano border consisting of strips with a variety of prints and colors.  It is professionally quilted.  Click the quilt image to see what it will look like.

To obtain tickets, print the quilt raffle sheet.  The suggested donation amount is $5.00 per ticket.  You may purchase any number of tickets.

Make check payable to:  Town of Goshen

In the memo field write:  Re-imagine Goshen

Mail to:
Town of Goshen
Open Space Committee
40 Main Street
Goshen, MA  01032

Don’t forget to remove your stub.

Proceeds support the Re-imagine Goshen Center Project.  The winner will be selected on December 11.  You need not be present to win.

Email:  reimaginegoshen01032@gmail.com with questions or comments.

Good Luck and THANK YOU for your support!

Building Inspector Job Posting

Four free at home COVID-19 test kits are available per household from the U.S. government.

Click on Free COVID Test Kits  for more information on how to get these mailed directly to your home.

If you need a COVID-⁠19 test now, please see other testing resources for testing locations in your area.

For a complete list of COVID-19 updates go to  COVID-19 postings in Town News & Announcements.

Request for Proposals for MVP 2.0 Vendor

Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness

Communities throughout Massachusetts are identifying climate vulnerabilities and investing in community resilience.  The Town of Goshen is seeking proposals from qualified individuals or firms to work with the community to manage and facilitate the MVP 2.0 process and to expand the bandwidth, skill sets and capacity of the community to benefit the process.

The MVP 2.0 program is run by the Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs and expands on the climate resilience work communities have done to date by supporting new methods, tools, and resources for building climate resilience.

MVP 2.0 is a way for grantees such as the Town of Goshen to revisit their community resilience priorities with a focus on equity and community engagement and to translate those priorities into action through project development and implementation.

A complete RFP may be obtained, without charge, by contacting the Town Administrator via email at Selectboard@goshen-ma.us or at 413-268-8236, extension 301 or on the web at  MVP 2.0 RFP Goshen 2023-09-06.  Documents will be available after September 28, 2023 through the submission deadline on October 19, 2023 at 5 pm. Vendors shall submit their proposals in electronic form via email to be sent to Selectboard@goshen-ma.us.  It is recommended that respondents to this request thoroughly review the vendor qualifications in the download of the MVP 2.0 Process Guide.

The Planning Board for the Town of Goshen will hold two public hearings regarding proposed amendments to the Zoning Bylaw on August 10, 2023 at the Goshen Town Hall, 42 Main Street, Goshen, MA.

1. Beginning at 7 pm, a hearing on a proposal to add a Floodplain section, as required by FEMA (the Federal Emergency Management Agency) and as proposed by the Planning Board.
2. Beginning at 7:15 pm, a hearing on a proposal to amend the current Excavation section and replace with an Earth Removal section, as proposed by the Planning Board.

All interested persons should attend.  Copies of the proposed bylaws are available for review at the office of the Town Clerk and at the links below.  They are also available in the documents section at the bottom of the Planning Board page:

Earth Removal Bylaw DRAFT REVISED 2023-08-08 – revisions highlighted in yellow on pages 3 & 4

Floodplain District Bylaw DRAFT

FEMA Floodplain Insurance map for Goshen MA

The Town of Goshen Board of Health and Select Board have agreed to the below updated COVID-19 policy.

• Masks are no longer required to be worn in Town facilities
• Anyone who wishes to wear a mask should be supported for that choice
• Masks should be available for anyone who chooses to wear one
• Reasonable COVID precautions should be followed such as individuals taking the initiative to self test and quarantine as necessary to protect the safety of others.  Go to the COVID-19 Information page for additional links
• COVID tests are available by contacting the Board of Health at healthboard@goshen-ma.us with the subject line of COVID TEST KIT REQUEST.  Be sure to include your name, address, contact information (phone, text, email) and the number of test kits requested.  Also include any time constraints or special circumstances and any other relevant information.
• Our public health nurse is also available for consultation by contacting the Foothills Health District at foothills@burgy.org
• We reserve the right to modify this policy in the event of a surge in COVID cases

If you need a COVID-⁠19 test now, please see other testing resources for testing locations in your area.

For a complete list of COVID-19 updates go to  COVID-19 postings in Town News & Announcements.

To go to the COVID-19 Information page for additional information.  You can also find this page as a sub menu on the Board of Health page.

The Open Space Committee has completed their work on the Re-Imagine Goshen Center Project Plan.

You may view, download or print it at:  Re-Imagine Goshen Center Project Plan

Or, you may go directly to the Open Space Committee page and find it in the documents section.

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

This year, the beaches swimming season officially opens on Monday, June 19, 2023 with lifeguards and roping 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 is monitored and tested by DCR.  Testing is done weekly, during the swimming season, with results available only by calling the DCR Beach Water Quality hotline at (617) 626 4972.  Tests are normally carried out on Mondays and results are usually on the hotline by Tuesday or Wednesday.  In addition to the hotline, if the water is considered unsafe, notices will be posted at the two beaches by state officials.  There is NOT a website for this information.  You must either call the hotline or go to the beach to see the postings.  You may also call the DAR Headquarters at (413) 268 7098, or, email the headquarters at dar.forest@state.ma.us. 

The Massachusetts Department of Health’s Bureau of Environmental Health has a web page with FAQs on Beach Water Quality & Testing that provides information on the following:

• Why is beach water sampled?
• What is a public beach?
• What is a semi-public beach?
• Who monitors the beach water quality?
• How often is the water tested?
• What kind of bacteria is the beach water tested for?
• What are indicator organisms?
• What are the standards for beach water quality in marine water?
• What happens if levels exceed 104 cfu/100 ml?
• What are the standards for beach water quality in fresh water?
• Are beach postings triggered in any other way?
• What does it mean for a beach to be posted?
• What type of illness can you get from contact with water contaminated with bacteria?
• How can I reduce my risk of illness from swimming?
• What are the sources of bacteria in the water?
• What about animal wastes on the beach?
• What can I do to enhance water quality at beaches I use?
• How can I find out if the beach is open or has been posted?
• Where can I get more information?
• How do I know when a beach is sampled?

If you wish to see historical data on contamination at particular beaches go to the Annual Beach Reports web page and you can view data from 2010 to the year before the current swimming season.  This will tell you the testing schedule,  the number of tests performed, how often there was an issue and how many days the beaches were posted as closed.  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
• Self-guided opportunities
• DCR Trip Tip family self-guided adventures
• Hours
• Parking and fees
• Activities
• Facilities
• Accessibility
• Restrictions

Here is the Notice of Filing and Request for Comments issued by the Department of Public Utilities in the above-captioned proceeding: D.P.U. 23 54 Notice Of Public Hearing (6.23.23)

The results of the annual town election can be found here: Annual Town Election Results 6.3.2023. We had 10% voter turnout.

I’d like to thank our dedicated election workers:

Shannon Wade, Warden

Kit Rock, Clerk

Charlie Amo, Constable

Henrietta Munroe

Roxanne Cunningham

Jenny Bisbee

Roger Culver

Evelyn Kellogg-Culver

Kerry Normandin

I also thank my assistant, Gina Papineau, for all her help, and custodian Ron Loven and his wife, Joanie, for setting up and taking down the election booths, tables, etc.

Even small town elections require many hands on deck to make things run smoothly from start to finish.

Do you have any interest in being an election worker? Please contact Town Clerk Kristen Estelle if you do: clerk@goshen-ma.us, 413-268-8236 x107.

Go to Annual Town Meeting Minutes 2023-05-20 to view, download or print this document.   You may also find it in the documents section of the Town Meeting Minutes subpage on the Town Clerk page.

The Annual Town Election will be held on Saturday, June 3rd from 9am-1pm in the John James Memorial Hall, located at 42 Main Street.

Here is a sample ballot: Goshen ATE 2023 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.

Follow this link to view, print or download the Annual Town Report 2022 at the bottom of the Select Board page.

Annual Town Reports for 2016-2022 are also in the documents section at the bottom of the Select Board Page.

Town Clerk Kristen Estelle reminds residents that the late fee for dog licenses goes into effect June 1st, 2023. The late fee is $25 per dog on top of the license fee.

To obtain a 2023 dog license, you can:

1. Stop by during office hours (Monday 8:30-2:30 & 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.

The Annual Town Meeting will be held on Saturday, May 20, 2023 at 9:30 a.m. in the John James Memorial Town Hall.

Click here to view, download or print the Annual Town Meeting Warrant 2023-05-20.   You may also find the warrant on the Select Board page in the “Select Board Documents” section.

Click on this link to view, print, or download the Finance Committee Report & Budget Recommendations For The Annual Town Meeting May 20, 2023.  You may also find the Finance Committee Report in the documents section on the Finance Committee page.

Copies of the Finance Committee Report will be available in at the Town Offices on Monday, May 15, 2023.

View the 16th Annual Reduce, Reuse, & Recycle Guide to help you reduce your trash, reuse durable items, recycle everything you can, and rethink waste.  Information is valid through April 2024.

Open Burning season is from January 15, 2023 – May 1, 2023.

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 Annual Town Election will be held on Saturday, June 3rd from 9am-1pm in the John James Memorial Hall, located at 42 Main Street. 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 (state.ma.us) 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 (state.ma.us)

Any mail-in ballot must be requested in writing by 5 p.m. on Friday, May 26^th. Your application can only be accepted if it has reached the town clerk’s office by the deadline. Apply as early as possible, especially if your ballot will need to be mailed out of town. The U.S. Postal Service recommends allowing up to 7 days for mail delivery. To ensure you receive your ballot with enough time to mail it back, you should apply 2-3 weeks before Election Day. The last day to register to vote in time to participate in the Annual Town Election is Wednesday, May 24^th, 9-11am and 3-5pm in the town clerk’s office.

The Annual Town Meeting will be held a few weeks before the election on Saturday, May 20^th at 9:30am and is currently planned to take place in the John James Memorial Hall at 42 Main Street. The last day to register to vote in time to participate in the Annual Town Meeting is Wednesday, May 10^th, 9-11am and 3-5pm, in the town clerk’s office.

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

Fred Bezio has been promoted to Chief of Police for the Town of Goshen.  Chief Bezio has extensive background in business management and leadership, along with many years in Law Enforcement.  Chief Bezio is academy trained through the Massachusetts Police Training Committee (MPTC) and is Peace Officer’s Standards and Training Certified (POST).  Chief Bezio holds many certifications including Field Training Officer, Civil Rights Officer, Front Line Leadership, Crisis Intervention Training, and was an assistant instructor at the reserve intermittent academy prior to COVID, training new recruits on Applied Patrol Procedures and Active Shooter Response.  Chief Bezio also serves the Town of Ashfield as their Sergeant and was appointed to the position of Chief of Police for the Town of Goshen in February 2023.

William Bissell has been appointed to the position of Sergeant for the Town of Goshen.  Sergeant Bissell has been on the department for many years and is academy trained through the Massachusetts Police Training Committee and is Peace Officer’s Standards and Training Certified. Sergeant Bissell is certified in Crisis Intervention Training and will be attending Frontline Leadership Training to certify him as a Sergeant/Front Line Leader in our Police Department.  Sergeant Bissell also works as a Patrolman in the Town of Ashfield and was appointed to the position of Sergeant for the Town of Goshen in February 2023.

Town Caucus

The 2023 Town Caucus will be held on Monday, April 10th at 7pm in the town hall. All registered voters are invited to participate. Any town resident may be nominated for any of the positions below. 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 document that briefly describes the positions up for election this year: Caucus 2023 Elected Positions In Goshen

Here is a list of the positions up for nomination and the individuals who currently occupy the seats:

Almoners- (3 years) Michael Rock (not running again)

Assessors- (3 years) Paula Pedersen

Board of Health- (3 years) Joshua Lafond

Chesterfield/ Goshen Regional School Committee- (3 years) Heather Crocker Aulenback

Finance Committee (3 years) Mary Packard

Finance Committee (3 years) Dawn Scaparotti

Hampshire Regional School Committee (3 years) Paul Marcinek

Library Trustees (3 years) Rosemary Bienz

Library Trustees (3 years) Kathryn Boisvert (not running again)

Library Trustees (1 year) VACANT

Moderator (1 year) Keith Wright

Planning Board (5 years) Roger Culver (not running again)

Planning Board (3 years) VACANT

Planning Board (1 year) VACANT

Select Board (3 years) Kristine Bissell

Tilton Farm Supervisors (1 year) Robert Goss

Tilton Farm Supervisors (1 year) Richard Polwrek

Tilton Farm Supervisors (1 year) Roger Culver

The Annual Town Election for the above positions will be held on Saturday, June 3^rd, 2023.

The Annual Town Meeting will be held on Saturday, May 20^th, 2023.

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

Please see Fiber Optic Connection Costs & Considerations When Planning Renovations Or Construction so that you are cognizant of the requirements and costs for connecting to Goshen’s high speed fiber optic network.

You may also find the this document in the documents section at the bottom of the Building Department web page.

Hilltown Resource Management Cooperative (HRMC) compost bin discounted price offer to purchase an Earth Machine Compost bin for 50% less than retail prices.

For information about how to compost go to Composting Is Easy.

An updated Residential Building Permit Application can be found at:  Building Permit Application Residential – Updated 2023 02 23.

You may also find the revised application in the documents section at the bottom of the Building Department web page. 

There will be a Special Town Meeting on Monday, March 13^th at 7pm in the John James Memorial Hall, 42 Main Street. When you come in the town hall, be sure to check in at the front table with the assistant town clerk to receive your voter card. The warrant for the meeting can be found here:  Special Town Meeting Warrant 2023-03-13.  You may also find the warrant in the documents section on the Select Board page.  Please reach out to the town administrator and select board with any questions about the two articles: selectboard@goshen-ma.us, 413-268-8236 x301.

If you are not already a registered voter, the last day to register to vote for this special town meeting is Friday, March 3^rd from 9-11am and 3-5pm. The Town Clerk’s office will be open for registration during those hours, and you can also register or check your voter status online: www.sec.state.ma.us/OVR/   If you have any questions about voter registration, please contact me (clerk@goshen-ma.us, 413-268-8236 x107).

We hope you join us! 25 voters are needed to make a quorum, and there is an important town project on the warrant.

Town Clerk Kristen Estelle reminds residents to return the 2023 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 Kristen 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 8:30-2:30 & 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.

Need a Rabies shot for your dog before you get them licensed? There will be a Rabies & Microchip Clinic at the Chesterfield Fire Department on Saturday, March 11^th from 11am-1pm. See flyer here: https://www.goshen-ma.us/rabies-microchip-clinic-in-chesterfield/

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