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Shrewsbury, Massachusetts

Coordinates: 42°17′45″N 71°42′48″W / 42.29583°N 71.71333°W / 42.29583; -71.71333
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This article is about the town in Massachusetts, United States. For the town in Shropshire, England, see Shrewsbury.

Town of Shrewsbury
Municipality
Homestead of General Artemas Ward
Homestead of General Artemas Ward
Official seal of Town of Shrewsbury
Seal
Location in Worcester County and the state of Massachusetts
Location in Worcester County and the state of Massachusetts
Coordinates: 42°17′45″N 71°42′48″W / 42.29583°N 71.71333°W / 42.29583; -71.71333
CountryUnited States
StateMassachusetts
CountyWorcester
Settled1722
Incorporated1727
Government
 • TypeRepresentative town meeting
 • Town
   Manager		Kevin Mizikar
 • Board of
   Selectmen		James F. Kane
Maurice M. DePalo
John R. Samia
John I. Lebeaux
Beth Casavant
Area
 • Total21.7 sq mi (56.1 km2)
 • Land20.7 sq mi (53.7 km2)
 • Water0.9 sq mi (2.4 km2)
Elevation
668 ft (204 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total38,325
 • Density1,851.4/sq mi (713.7/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (Eastern)
ZIP Code
01545
Area code508 / 774
FIPS code69-60165
GNIS feature ID0619489
Websitewww.shrewsburyma.gov

Shrewsbury (/ˈʃruzberi/ SHROOZ-bury) is a town in Worcester County, Massachusetts, United States. Shrewsbury, unlike the surrounding towns of Grafton, Millbury, Westborough, Northborough, Boylston, and West Boylston did not become a mill town or farming village; most of its 19th-century growth was due to its proximity to Worcester and visitors to Lake Quinsigamond. The population was 38,325 according to the 2020 United States Census, in nearly 15,000 households.

Incorporated in 1727, the town is governed now under the New England representative town meeting system, headed by the Town Manager and five-member elected Board of Selectmen whose duties include licensing, appointing various administrative positions, and calling a town meeting of citizens annually or whenever the need arises.

History

First Congregational Church
Flag flying over the town common

The Town of Shrewsbury, named for Shrewsbury, England, is a suburban community with an uneven and hilly terrain cut by a number of minor streams providing several small water power sites. Grants of land were made in what would eventually be the town beginning in 1664, with the 3,200-acre (13 km2) grant called Haynes Farm as the largest. In 1664 Native American leader, Peter Jethro, and other Nipmuc Indians deeded land around Lake Quinsigamond to settlers in the area.[1] Settlers came primarily from Sudbury and Marlborough, and the first permanent settler was Gersham Wheelock in 1720. As a town, Shrewsbury was first settled in 1722 and officially incorporated in 1727.

Townspeople created an agricultural economy with apple orchards, and by 1750, there were two stores and four taverns as well as several small industries in operation. The rapid fall of prices for agricultural goods, the shortage of hard currency, and the general economic depression following the Revolutionary War produced disastrous conditions for colonists. Shays' Rebellion in 1786 sought to close the courts to prevent debt collections and the foreclosure of mortgages. Shrewsbury became a staging area for the rebellion and the encampment of the more than 400 insurgents, before the march on the Worcester Court House.

A leather industry began in 1786 in Shrewsbury, and town farmers developed large cattle herds to support the manufacture of boots and shoes. This was followed by the establishment of gunsmithing operations in 1797, which produced rifles, shotguns and pistols and eventually cutlery. Luther Goddard began in 1809 by making brass clocks and then established a small watch factory employing a few skilled Swiss and English watchmakers. Lumbering created sawmills, and they in turn drew chair and cabinet makers, plow and wagon builders.

The development of streetcar routes in the 19th century propelled the growth of single-family housing in town. A summer resort population on Lake Quinsigamond became consumers of the market garden produce grown by town farmers. As Shrewsbury's industry was killed by the lack of large waterpower sites and the tardy arrival of the railroad, its role as a suburb of Worcester grew more important. The town's population doubled from 1915 to 1940 as continued streetcar suburb growth brought more modern settlers into the community. Other modern developments included an increased number of lakeside cottages, ethnic clubs and recreational areas on the lake.

The 1953 Worcester tornado came through the Shrewsbury area, killing twelve people and causing extensive damage.

Registered Historic Places

Shrewsbury is home to three current and one former Nationally Registered Historic Places:

Geography

Shrewsbury is a suburb of Worcester, and about 40 miles from Boston. The town has a total area of 21.6 square miles (56 km2), of which 20.7 square miles (54 km2) of it is land and 0.9 sq mi (2.3 km2) of it (4.25%) is water.[2] The town is home to Busta Rhymes Island.[3]

Adjacent towns

Grafton, Westborough, Boylston, West Boylston, Northborough, Worcester

Climate

Climate data for Shrewsbury, Massachusetts
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °F 64 70 83 90 97 96 96 98 96 86 78 69 98
Mean daily maximum °F 33 36 44 55 68 76 81 79 71 61 50 38 58
Mean daily minimum °F 15 17 26 37 48 57 63 61 52 40 32 22 39
Record low °F −26 −15 −6 13 28 34 42 36 28 18 9 −10 −26
Average precipitation inches 4.20 3.48 4.27 4.36 3.94 3.93 3.80 4.26 4.11 4.33 4.46 3.99 49.13
Record high °C 18 21 28 32 36 36 36 37 36 30 26 21 37
Mean daily maximum °C 1 2 7 13 20 24 27 26 22 16 10 3 14
Mean daily minimum °C −9 −8 −3 3 9 14 17 16 11 4 0 −6 4
Record low °C −32 −26 −21 −11 −2 1 6 2 −2 −8 −13 −23 −32
Average precipitation mm 107 88 108 111 100 100 97 108 104 110 113 101 1,247
Source: Weather.com[4]

Demographics

Historical population
YearPop.±%
18501,596—    
18601,558−2.4%
18701,610+3.3%
18801,500−6.8%
18901,449−3.4%
19001,626+12.2%
19101,946+19.7%
19203,708+90.5%
19306,910+86.4%
19407,586+9.8%
195010,594+39.7%
196016,622+56.9%
197019,196+15.5%
198022,674+18.1%
199024,146+6.5%
200031,640+31.0%
201035,608+12.5%
202038,325+7.6%

Source: United States census records and Population Estimates Program data.[5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14]

By the 2020 census, the population had reached 38,325.

As of the 2020 Census, there were 38,325 people, the racial makeup of the town was 64.1% White, 2.5% African American, 0.1% Native American, 24.6% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.2% from other races, and 6.5% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.2% of the population.

As of the 2020 Census there were 14,966 households, out of which 34.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.1% were married couples living together, 7.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.7% were non-families. Of all households 25.3% were made up of individuals, and 10.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.54, and the average family size was 3.09.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 25.6% under the age of 18, 5.0% from 18 to 24, 33.4% from 25 to 44, 22.4% from 45 to 64, and 13.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 94.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.4 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $109,000 and the median income for a family was $124,000 (as of the 2010 census[15]). Males had a median income of $56,259 versus $37,129 for females. The per capita income for the town was $45,570. About 3.3% of families and 4.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.6% of those under age 18 and 7.6% of those age 65 or over.

Government

Town Hall

Town government

Shrewsbury is governed in the traditional New England style. Municipal elections are held on the first Tuesday in May.

Legislative Branch: Representative Town Meeting: 240 elected members.

Executive Branch: Five-member Board of Selectmen with three-year staggered terms, an appointed Town Manager, and other elected and appointed positions.

Moderator
  • Christopher Mehne
Board of Selectmen
  • Maurice M. DePalo – Chair - Term expires May 2023
  • Beth N. Casavant – Vice Chair -Term expires May 2023
  • Theresa H. Flynn - Term expires May 2024
  • John R. Samia – Term expires May 2025
  • Michelle Conlin – Term expires May 2025
  • Taylor Galusha – Admin Asst
School Committee
  • Sandra Fryc - Chair
  • Lynsey Heffernan
  • B. Dale Magee M.D.
  • Jason Palitsch
  • Jon Wensky
Commission on Disabilities
  • Deborah Deldotto, Chair – Term Expires June 30, 2023
  • Charbel Sakr, Vice Chaire - Term Expires June 30, 2024
  • Diane L. Burns – Term Expires June 30, 2024
  • Leonora Ryan – Term Expires June 30, 2024
  • Ashley Falandys – Term Expires June 30, 2024
Appointed officials (selected)

Source:[16]

Various other boards, committees, and commissions round out the variety of services provided to residents, including water, health, fire, ambulance, police, education, recreation, etc.

County, state, and federal government

State government
State Representative(s): Hannah Kane (R—11th Worcester district)
State Senator(s): Michael O. Moore (D—2nd Worcester district)
Governor's Councilor(s): Jen Caissie (R)
Federal government
U.S. Representative(s): James McGovern (D—Massachusetts's 2nd congressional district)
U.S. Senators: Elizabeth Warren (D), Ed Markey (D)

Education

Public schools

Shrewsbury High School

Shrewsbury Public Schools is the public school district in the town. Schools in the district include Shrewsbury High School, two middle schools, four elementary schools, one early childhood school for kindergarten and grade one, and one preschool. These schools are Beal Early Childhood Center (preschool to 1st grade), Major Howard W. Beal School (grades 1–4), Floral Street School (grades 1–4), Spring Street School (grades 1–4), Walter J. Paton Elementary School (grades 2–4), Calvin Coolidge Elementary School (grades 1–4), Sherwood Middle School (grades 5–6), Oak Middle School (grades 7–8), and the Shrewsbury High School.

Private schools

St. John's High School

Non-public schools in town include Shrewsbury Montessori, a private school offering programs for Pre-K through grade 6;[17] St. Mary's School, a Catholic parochial school for Pre-K through grade 8;[18] and Saint John's High School, a private Xaverian Brothers–sponsored high school.[19]

Library

Shrewsbury Public Library, 1899

The Shrewsbury Public Library was established in 1872.[20][21] In fiscal year 2008, the town of Shrewsbury spent 1.4% ($1,164,563) of its budget on its public library—about $34 per town resident, per year ($44.80 adjusted for inflation to 2022).[22] Following the 1978 library expansion project, another expansion was needed. In 2004 and 2010, officials completed research showing inadequate space, poorly maintained roofs and heating/cooling systems, lack of handicap accessibility, and a growing demand for library services. In 2010, a project was proposed that would create a new 42,000-square-foot (3,900 m2) facility for a total of approximately $19 million.[23] The main library closed to enable construction of the new building and opened in temporary accommodation at 214 Lake Street on 26 October 2014. As of June 15, 2016, construction on the expansion project was substantially complete and work on punch list items was ongoing.[24]

The new library celebrated its grand opening with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on September 21, 2016.[25]

Points of interest

  • Dean Park
  • Ski Ward - a year-round recreational facility offering skiing, snowboarding, and snowtubing with a terrain park, lessons and rentals in the winter, summer tubing, a summer ski and snowboard park and beach volleyball in the summer.

Places of worship

  • First Congregational Church
  • Grace Baptist Church
  • Liberty Churches
  • St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church
  • St. Mary's Syriac Orthodox Church
  • St. Ann's Roman Catholic Church
  • Trinity Episcopal Church
  • Wellspring United Methodist Church

Notable people

Notable businesses

References

  1. ^ Barry, William, A History of Framingham, Massachusetts (Boston: James Munroe and Company, 1847), 19-20
  2. ^ According to the United States Census Bureau
  3. ^ "One Man's Mission to Name an Island After Busta Rhymes". Slate. March 13, 2014. ISSN 1091-2339. Retrieved June 22, 2021.
  4. ^ "Weather.com".
  5. ^ "Total Population (P1), 2010 Census Summary File 1". American FactFinder, All County Subdivisions within Massachusetts. United States Census Bureau. 2010.
  6. ^ "Massachusetts by Place and County Subdivision - GCT-T1. Population Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 12, 2011.
  7. ^ "1990 Census of Population, General Population Characteristics: Massachusetts" (PDF). US Census Bureau. December 1990. Table 76: General Characteristics of Persons, Households, and Families: 1990. 1990 CP-1-23. Retrieved July 12, 2011.
  8. ^ "1980 Census of the Population, Number of Inhabitants: Massachusetts" (PDF). US Census Bureau. December 1981. Table 4. Populations of County Subdivisions: 1960 to 1980. PC80-1-A23. Retrieved July 12, 2011.
  9. ^ "1950 Census of Population" (PDF). Bureau of the Census. 1952. Section 6, Pages 21-10 and 21-11, Massachusetts Table 6. Population of Counties by Minor Civil Divisions: 1930 to 1950. Retrieved July 12, 2011.
  10. ^ "1920 Census of Population" (PDF). Bureau of the Census. Number of Inhabitants, by Counties and Minor Civil Divisions. Pages 21-5 through 21-7. Massachusetts Table 2. Population of Counties by Minor Civil Divisions: 1920, 1910, and 1920. Retrieved July 12, 2011.
  11. ^ "1890 Census of the Population" (PDF). Department of the Interior, Census Office. Pages 179 through 182. Massachusetts Table 5. Population of States and Territories by Minor Civil Divisions: 1880 and 1890. Retrieved July 12, 2011.
  12. ^ "1870 Census of the Population" (PDF). Department of the Interior, Census Office. 1872. Pages 217 through 220. Table IX. Population of Minor Civil Divisions, &c. Massachusetts. Retrieved July 12, 2011.
  13. ^ "1860 Census" (PDF). Department of the Interior, Census Office. 1864. Pages 220 through 226. State of Massachusetts Table No. 3. Populations of Cities, Towns, &c. Retrieved July 12, 2011.
  14. ^ "1850 Census" (PDF). Department of the Interior, Census Office. 1854. Pages 338 through 393. Populations of Cities, Towns, &c. Retrieved July 12, 2011.
  15. ^ Shrewsbury town Archived 2009-04-14 at the Wayback Machine United States Census Bureau
  16. ^ "Town Officials". Town of Shrewsbury. Archived from the original on May 13, 2012.
  17. ^ "Shrewsbury Montessori School – About Us". Archived from the original on August 28, 2016. Retrieved July 23, 2016.
  18. ^ "About St. Mary School, Shrewsbury MA". Archived from the original on July 11, 2016. Retrieved July 23, 2016.
  19. ^ http://schools.shrewsburyma.gov/
  20. ^ Tillinghast, C.B. (1891). The free public libraries of Massachusetts. 1st Report of the Free Public Library Commission of Massachusetts. Boston: Wright & Potter.
  21. ^ "Town of Shrewsbury, Massachusetts - Library". Archived from the original on January 6, 2011. Retrieved November 11, 2010. Retrieved November 10, 2010
  22. ^ July 1, 2007 through June 30, 2008; cf. The FY2008 Municipal Pie: What's Your Share? Archived 2012-01-23 at the Wayback Machine, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Board of Library Commissioners. Boston: 2009, Retrieved August 4, 2010
  23. ^ Campaign4ShrewsburyLibrary.net Archived 2011-08-27 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 28 August 2011.
  24. ^ Minutes, Board of Library Trustees meeting, June 15, 2016
  25. ^ McGagh, Ken (September 22, 2016). "Shrewsbury Public Library officially opens with ribbon cutting ceremony". Shrewsbury Chronicle. Retrieved February 8, 2017.
  26. ^ Petersen, Chris (August 23, 2013). "American Gourmet Group/Hebert Candies". Food and Drink Magazine. Retrieved April 26, 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  27. ^ Micucci, Emily (March 12, 2015). "Developer announces new tenants for former Spag's site, more to come". Worcester Business Journal. Retrieved April 26, 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  28. ^ Burtons Grill
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