TOWN OF PALMER

School is back in session!

All community members PLEASE drive extra cautiously during your commute.

Drive slowly near school zones, and pedestrian crosswalks. 
Look for the illuminated beacons indicating when someone wishes to cross the road.

Stop for school buses

When approaching a school bus that is stopped to pick up or drop off students with its red lights flashing, vehicles must come to a full stop and remain stopped until the signals are turned off.

Here’s what to remember:

• All roads: Drivers approaching from either direction must stop for a school bus with flashing red lights.
• Divided highways: Drivers approaching from the opposite direction on a divided highway do not need to stop, unless directed by a police officer. Drivers traveling in the same direction must stop.

Thank you for helping keep our students safe!

Upcoming Election: State Primary

September 1, 2026

Polls are open: 7 am - 8 pm

Poll locations:
Precincts 2 & 3 polling location is Amvets Post 74 located at 2150 Main Street in Three Rivers

Precincts 1 & 4 polling location remains Divine Mercy/ Sts. Peter and Paul Parish located at 2267 Main Street in Three Rivers

Where do I vote?

Community Choice Power Supply Program

Public Hearing: Sept. 14 at 5:30 pm

Town Administration Building

The hearing will provide residents and other interested parties with an opportunity to learn about the program and comment on the proposed Aggregation Plan before it is submitted to the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities.

The purpose of this Plan is to represent consumer interests in competitive markets for electricity. It seeks to aggregate consumers in the Town to negotiate rates for power supply. It brings together the buying power of eligible consumers throughout Palmer. Furthermore, the Town seeks to better manage energy prices. Participation is voluntary for each eligible consumer.

The Town of Palmer developed the Aggregation Plan in compliance with Massachusetts law regarding public aggregation of electric consumers. It contains required information on the structure, operations, services, funding, and policies of the Town’s Plan. The Plan has been developed in consultation with the Town’s aggregation implementation consultant, Titan Energy, and the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources (DOER).

Learn more about this opportunity on our website

Cultural Council FY27 Grant Opportunity

Opens: September 1st

Closes: October 15th

The hearing will provide residents and other interested parties with an opportunity to learn about the program and comment on the proposed Aggregation Plan before it is submitted to the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities.

Learn more about this opportunity on our website

Lets be friends!

The Senior Center now has a nonprofit affiliate group, Senior Center Friends Group of Palmer. Membership is $5.00 a year and it includes a discount at some of the friends' functions.

If you're interested in joining, stop by the table at the Annual Picnic, or see Andy Vance before hand.

Welcome to our new website!

At a recent Town Council Meeting, Ashley Place our Director of Administrative Services, walked us through the new site introducing key features such as our Community Events and Meetings Calendar, Latest News Section, and more.

Watch the recording here

Visit the new website

From the Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP)
1st Half Sewer Bills
Due: October 1, 2026

These charges are for the services between 7/1/2026 – 12/31/2026 

Billing & Abatements: Contact our office at (413) 283-2671 or visit our office at 1 Norbell Street, Three Rivers, MA 01080. Office hours are Monday-Friday 7:00 am-3:30 pm. All Vacancy Abatement Applications for sewer user charges must be filed in writing at our office within 30 days from the Bill Date. Please see the Abatement Policy.

Payments & Status: Contact the office of the Palmer Town Hall Tax Collector’s Office, 4417 Main Street, Palmer, MA 01069. (413) 283-2601. All payments and status of bill questions will require your account number and bill number. Payment options, office hours, and other related information is listed at the upper right of your Sewer Bill. DO NOT bring or mail payment(s) to the Water Pollution Control Facility.

2026 Calendar- Palmer Yard Waste Facility
Open Select Saturdays & Sundays

NOW to November from 9 am - 3 pm


Palmer Yard Waste Facility will open to residents to drop off clippings and leaves at the compost area across from Burleigh Park on the highlighted days below:

Remember:

• Bring your ID confirming Palmer residency
• Lawn debris must be in brown paper bags (no plastic bags)
• Do not leave bags up against locked gate

Facility will be operating on the following days from 9 am - 3 pm:

September 5, 6, 19, 20, 26, 27

October 3, 4, 10, 11, 17, 18, 24, 25, 31

November 1, 7, 8, 14, 15, 21, 22

Questions? Call our Department of Public Works (DPW) at 413-283-2615.

3rd Annual Lemonade Day Success!

Throughout the community, 13 Stands with 20 total entrepreneurs and their families raised over $2,000.

This event is an amazing example of community involvement with organizations teaming up to create the strongest event yet!

Be on the lookout to save the date for next year's 4th Annual Lemonade Day!

Thank you to....

Community Partners

Town of Palmer

Palmer Public Library

Top Floor Learning

Palmer Recreation Committee

Old Mill Pond Elementary School

Palmer Fire Department

Local Businesses

2T Craft Lab

Altitude Trampoline Park, Holyoke

Antique Junction

Brick Buy Brick, Vernon- Rockville, CT

Local Businesses Continued

Full Throttle Beef Jerky

Girlie’s Cakes Bakery

Hedgehog Bush Trimmings Plus

Jain Dental

J. Stolar Insurance

Kelly & Velazuquez Eye Center

LaBier Construction

Monson Savings Bank

Paramount Pizza

Quaboag Valley Chamber of Commerce

Steaming Tender

Work with us!

The Town of Palmer is seeking community-minded professional to support local initiatives, and support community members. If you are driven by service, collaboration, and making a positive impact, we want to hear from you.

We're hiring:

• Town Planner
• Per- Diem- Animal Control Officer
  

Click on the opportunities above to learn more and/or apply

Volunteer with us!

The Town of Palmer is seeking dedicated community members to serve on several of our boards, committees, and commissions. We welcome new applicants as well as current members interested in continuing their service.

Still seeking members for:

License Commission: 2 Seats- Terms to 2029

Palmer Redevelopment Authority: 2 Seats- Term to 2029

Zoning Board of Appeals: 1 Seat-Term to 2029

Learn more by visiting, https://www.townofpalmer.com/volunteer

Thank you for helping strengthen our community through your volunteer service!

Previous Poll Question Result


Last newsletter, we asked you, "Which online service have you utilized the most?"

Out of 39 total responses, 27 chose "Viewing a meeting agenda or minutes," 6 chose "paying taxes," 2 chose, " Accessing a permit application," 1 chose "Seeking volunteer or employment opportunities," and 3 chose "None."

Instead of a poll, this time we ask for your help


Please take a moment and provide your feedback to our new website by answering a few short questions.

Nominate a community member!

Do you know someone in town that is working hard to make Palmer an even better place? Let us know! We want to acknowledge all the amazing people that make our town so great! Nominate someone you think deserves an extra shoutout of appreciation. Click the button below to open the form

Upcoming Meetings

Learn what is happening in your community and tune into our upcoming meetings.



Cultural Council

September 3rd at 6 pm
Town Council Room, Town Administration Building
4417 Main Street | Palmer, MA 01609

Town Council 
Hosted on the 2nd Monday each month

September 13th at 6 pm
Town Council Room, Town Administration Building
4417 Main Street | Palmer, MA 01609

Watch previous meetings here

Conservation Commission

September 13th at 6:30 pm

Town Council Room, Town Administration Building
4417 Main Street | Palmer, MA 01609
Watch previous meetings here

Planning Board

September 21st at 6 pm

Town Council Room, Town Administration Building
4417 Main Street | Palmer, MA 01609

Scarecrow Contest Fundraiser for Domestic Violence Task Force

Domestic Violence can be a scary thing; however, raising awareness for it does not have to be.

The Palmer Domestic Violence Task Force invites all residents, organizations, and businesses from Palmer and surrounding towns to join us in decorating their homes, businesses, and common areas with scarecrows of all kinds to raise awareness about domestic violence.

You are welcome to make your own scarecrow or attend one of our 'Build a Scarecrow' events. If you would like to attend one of our Build-a Scarecrow events, join us at the Palmer Public Library on September 26th or October 10th from 11:00-1:00. This is a FREE event! All materials provided! No registration required!

You do not need to enter the contest to attend a Build-a-Scarecrow event, nor do you need to attend a Build-a-Scarecrow event to enter.

Three amazing cash prizes to be won! 1st Place $75.00 2nd Place $50.00 3rd Place $25.00

To enter, send a picture of your scarecrow display outside of your home or business to palmerdvtf@gmail.com before midnight on October 31st.

All entries will be posted on the Palmer Domestic Violence Task Force Facebook Page on November 1st. The three pictures that receive the most votes by November 30th win!

Programs hosted by Palmer Public Library
1455 N. Main Street | Palmer, MA 01069

Free events for all ages all month long!

Highlights:

• Homemade Wonton Soup with Karen Jou- 9/12 @ 12 noon
• Put Your Retirement Plan to Work- 9/15 @ 6:30 pm
• Take and Make Fall Slime Kit- all day on 9/17
• Old Palmer Center Cemetery Tour- 9/19 @ 11 am
• Jewelry Making for Kids- 9/23 @ 4 pm

Weekly program highlights:

• Tots & Tykes Playtime|Mondays @ 10 am
• Mah Jongg Club|Mondays 12:30 - 3:30 pm
• Teen Scene|Tuesdays 2- 5 pm
• Music for Munchkins|Wednesdays @ 10:30 am

Programs hosted by Palmer Senior Center

Memorial Hall 1029 Central Street | Palmer, MA 01069

Events all month long for Adults aged 55+!

Highlights:

• Memory Cafe with David Bates Celtic Celebration- 9/17 @ 11 am
• Senior Center Big E Field Trip 9/22 and 9/29- Registration is Required!
• SAVE THE DATE: Community Health Fair- 10/2 from 11 am - 1 pm

Weekly Programs:

• Coffee Social|Daily @ 8:30 am
• Breakfast/Trivia|Tues. & Thurs. @ 9:30 am 
• Blood Pressure Clinic | Thursdays @ 9:30 am
• Movie Afternoons | Fridays @12:30 pm
• Exercise options including: Healthy Bones/ Balance, Chair Yoga, Zumba, Gentle Stretch, Strength Training, Tai Chi- PLUS Tues. & Thurs. evening Piyo Exercise 
• Craft activities including: Card Designs, Painting, Knit/Crochet, & more!