Counting down the coins until 250th celebration
By Caitlyn Kelleher JOURNAL REPORTER

The commerative coins and pins being sold by the 250th Anniversary Committee can be purchased at the Town Hall for $8 and $5, respectively. JOURNAL PHOTO/CAITLYN KELLEHER

The fundraising started this week as members of the 250th Anniversary Committee took money from each of the selectmen.

Committee members Lorraine Emerson and Melody Gallant attended the meeting on Monday, Aug. 27, to show and sell the first commemorative coins and pins

"This is our ceremonial kick-off," Emerson said.

On both sides of the coin are local attractions. One side is a picture of Wachusett Mountain and the other side holds a picture of the old and new town halls.

"It matches the old with the new," Emerson said.

The group hopes to raise $7,000 with these limited edition coins, which were designed by Westminster artist Lori Hyre. The coins cost $8 each or can be purchased in a pair for $15. The pins cost $5 a piece.

The coins will be on sale at the Town Clerk's and the Treasurer-Collector's offices at the Westminster Town Hall.

The committee is planning to offset some of the costs of the events with the coins, while using money appropriated at the town meetings to cover the rest of the expenses.

"We need more volunteers," said Emerson.

The committee has created subcommittees to organize the variety of events. The town-wide celebration is slated to start on Dec. 31, 2008, with a New Year's Eve Kick- Off Event, followed by different events scheduled for each month until October when the festivities will culminate with fireworks show and a formal ball.

The group is also planning to meet with officials in Princeton to determine if there can be any joint events because the neighboring town celebrates their 250th during the same year, Gallant said.

The group meets on the third Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m. on the first floor of the Public Safety Building.