Current Issue of The Mill

The 2026 State Election will be taking place on Tuesday, November 3, with Early Voting beginning on Saturday, October 17.

This year, Massachusetts has NINE questions on the Ballot!!

Click Here to view the 2026 Voter Guide published by the Secretary of the Commonwealth, William Francis Gavin. This page also includes information on the different methods of voting, as well as links to make sure that your Voter Registration is up to date and valid.

I’m not sure about everyone else, but sometimes I find these questions to be a bit complex. So I have done my best to compile a few sources that provide non-partisan explanations of these ballot questions to help any voters who would like further clarification.

• Ballotpedia – Massachusetts 2026 Ballot Measures
• Rated Least biased with Very High factual reporting by Media Bias Fact Check.
• Commonwealth Beacon – The Massachusetts Ballot Questions, Explained
• Rated Left-Center with High factual reporting by Media Bias Fact Check.
• Jonathan M. Tisch College of Civic Life – Voters Guide to 2026 Massachusetts Ballot Questions

And to help you at the voting booth, Click Here to download your Voter Checklist to bring with you, whether you take advantage of early voting or vote on November 3. 

“Each vote plays a vital role in democracy, and it is our responsibility to participate and make a difference in our communities and nation.”

Sun, October 1, 2026
~ Chapter 61A – Completed CL 1 form, the original certificate and the approved forest management plan DUE

Mon, October 12, 2026
~ In observance of Columbus Day/Indigenous People’s Day, the following will be closed: Douglas Municipal Center, Douglas Adult Social Center, Douglas Public Schools and the Simon Fairfield Public Library.

Mon, October 14, 2026
~ Fall Water/Sewer Bill Due (Click Here to View the Schedule of Water Rates and Charges)

Sat, October 17, 2026
~ Early Voting Begins (View Hours by Clicking Here)

Sat, October 24, 2026
~ Last Day to Register to Vote in 2026 Midterm State Elections

Tue, November 3, 2026 @ 7:00 AM – 8:00 PM
~ State Election @ Municipal Center Gym

Saturday, October 3 from 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Click Here to View the Program

• Douglas Adult Social Center – Sunshine Club
  • 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
    • Enjoy a bowl of chili, grab a beverage and walk around our indoor tag sale
• Douglas Historical Society
  • 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM
    • Soup and Bread
    • Raffle for Wooden Wavy Flag
• Douglas Heritage & Honor Committee
  • Purchase a 250th Challenge Coin – Proceeds go towards future Douglas Heritage and Honor Committee events.
• Masonic Lodge
  • 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
    • Child ID Program

• Thu, Oct. 1 @ 4:00 PM – ADA Commission – CANCELLED
• Thu, Oct. 1 @ 6:00 PM – Heritage and Honor Committee @ Municipal Center Resource Room
• Thu, Oct. 1 @ 7:00 PM – School Committee VIA Zoom
• Mon, Oct. 5 @ 6:30 PM – Conservation Commission @ Municipal Center Resource Room
• Tue, Oct. 6 @ 6:00 PM – Board of Selectmen @ Municipal Center Resource Room
• Tue, Oct. 6 @ 6:00 PM – BVT School Council @ Blackstone Valley Technical School
• Wed, Oct. 7 @ 9:00 AM – Cemetery Commission @ Municipal Center Resource Room
• Wed, Oct. 7 @ 9:00 AM – Council on Aging @ Douglas Adult Social Center
• Wed, Oct. 7 @ 4:00 PM – ADA Commission
• Wed, Oct. 7 @ 5:00 PM – Master Plan Committee @ Municipal Center Resource Room
• Wed, Oct. 7 @ 6:30 PM – School Committee Meeting @ Douglas High School, Room C208
• Wed, Oct. 7 @ 6:00 PM – Economic Development Commission – CANCELLED
• Wed, Oct. 7 @ 7:00 PM – Zoning Board of Appeals @ Municipal Center Resource Room
• Thu, Oct. 8 @ 6:00 PM – Agricultural Committee @ Municipal Center Community Meeting Room
• Tue, Oct. 13 @ 2:00 PM – Open Space Committee @ Municipal Center Community Meeting Room
• Wed, Oct. 14 @ 6:00 PM – Planning Board @ Municipal Center Resource Room
• Thu, Oct. 15 @ 4:00 PM – ADA Commission – CANCELLED
• Mon, Oct. 19 @ 6:30 PM – Conservation Commission @ Municipal Center Resource Room
• Tue, Oct. 20 – Board of Assessors @ Assessor’s Office
• Tue, Oct. 20 @ 6:00 PM – Board of Selectmen @ Municipal Center Resource Room
• Wed, Oct. 21 @ 10:00 AM – Building Facilities Construction Committee @ Municipal Center Resource Room
• Wed, Oct. 21 @ 4:00 PM – ADA Commission
• Wed, Oct. 21 @ 5:00 PM – Master Plan Committee @ Municipal Center Resource Room
• Wed, Oct. 21 @ 6:00 PM – Economic Development Commission @ Municipal Center Community Room
• Wed, Oct. 21 @ 6:30 PM – School Committee Meeting @ Douglas High School, Room C208
• Tue, Oct. 27 @ 6:30 PM – Library Board of Trustees VIA Zoom
• Wed,Oct. 28 @ 6:00 PM – Planning Board @ Municipal Center Resource Room
• Wed, Oct. 28 @ 6:00 PM – Planning Board @ Municipal Center Resource Room

For regularly scheduled happenings at the Douglas Adult Social Center, please view the DAILY CALENDAR.

Douglas Adult Social Center October Newsletter

Please call the Douglas Adult Social Center at 508-476-2283 to sign up for Programs & Classes.

• Mon, Oct. 5 from 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM – Wellness Clinic
• Wed, Oct. 7 from 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM – Flu Vaccine Clinic
  • Please call the Center to Schedule Your Appointment
• Thu Oct. 8 from 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM – Hearing Aide Clinic with Darci
• Thu, Oct. 8 @ 1:00 PM – Hip Hop Square Dance
  • Sign-up by 10/08
• Thu, Oct. 15 @ 12:00 PM – Bemis Nursery Everlasting Flower Box ($25.00)
  • Sign-up by 10/08 and payment due
• Tue, Oct. 20 from 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM – Wellness Clinic
• Thu, Oct. 22 @ 11:30 AM – Lunch ($4.00) and a Movie (Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris)
  • Sign-up by 10/16

Sunshine Club Events

• Sat, Oct. 3 from 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM – Oktoberfest
  • Enjoy a bowl of chili, grab a beverage and walk around our indoor tag sale
• Tue, Oct. 6 @ 2:00 PM – Sunshine Club Meeting
• Mon, Oct. 12 from 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM – Plant Swap
• Fri, Oct. 30 @ 12:30 PM – Halloween Party
  • Sign-up before 10/23

Exploring the Blackstone River Valley Recreational Hike SeriesTrail Ambassador 2026 Fall Hiking Series

• Sat, Oct. 10 @ 10:00 AM – Wallis Pond
  • Douglas State Forest 
    • Gravel parking lot, near 110 Wallis Road in Douglas
    • This hike is 3-4 miles, moderate rating (longer distance, some gradual climbs, rocks or roots, requires basic fitness), with rocky footing and short steep inclines
• Sun, Oct. 11 @ 1:00 PM – Grand Trunk Trail Loop
  • Douglas State Forest
    • Meet at the Streeter Trail gate (bit.ly/dougstreeter). This hike is ~5 miles over rocky and compacted gravel surfaces with mild inclines.
• Sun, Oct. 25 @ 2:00 PM – Bad Luck Pond Loop
  • Douglas State Forest 
    • Meet at the Route 16 parking area (bit.ly/dougroute16). This hike is ~3.5 miles over a loose gravel surface with moderate inclines.

3rd Annual Scarecrow Contest

• The public is invited to visit the Scarecrow Display during the Display Period from October 10th through November 1st.

The Douglas Farmer’s Market due to popular demand will be held weekly for the rest of the season. From now until November 7, stop by 138 Main Street (GBI) on Saturdays from 8:30 AM till 11:00 AM.

• Wed, Oct. 7 from 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
  • Douglas Fire Department Open House

Douglas Adult Social Center Food Pantry – Douglas Residents
331 Main Street, Douglas, MA 01516
508-476-2283

• Mondays-Thursdays — 9:00am to 3:00pm
• Fridays — 9:00am to 11:30am
• Donations accepted, but please contact the Adult Social Center to see what items are most in need.
  • * If you are homeward bound and need assistance, please contact the Adult Social Center *
  • * If you need transportation, please contact the Adult Social Center *

St. Denis Food Pantry
St. Denis Rectory
23 Manchaug St, Douglas, MA 01516
508-476-2002

• Saturdays — 8:00am to 10:00am 
• foodpantry@saintdenischurch.com
• Donate to the pantry directly during open hours or you may leave non-perishables in the bin at the Church at any time

Walking in the Light Ministries – Anyone In Need
Second Congregational Church
289 Main Street, Douglas, MA 01516

Contact: Jeannie Gagne (Phone: 508-476-9978, Cell: 508-847-9716, Email: jeannie@walkinglight.org); Dan Gagne (Email: dan@walkinglight.org)

• Donations accepted – there is a bin outside the door for drop-off donations on the handicapped side of the church
• Tuesdays — 1:00pm to 3:00pm (Most Tuesdays) or by appointment

• Sat, Oct. 10 from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM
  • Douglas Orchard & Farm Halloween Festival

• Thu, Oct. 1 – High School Term 1 Progress Reports
• Sat, Oct. 3 – SEPAC Family Survey Due
• Wed, Oct. 7 – SATs
• Fri, Oct. 9 – NO SCHOOL – Professional Development Day
• Mon, Oct. 12 – NO SCHOOL – Indigenous Peoples Day
• Tue, Oct. 13 @ 6:00 PM – PTO Meeting @ Douglas Elementary School Library
• Tue, Oct. 13 @ 6:30 PM – Athletic Boosters Monthly Meeting @ Douglas High School Library
• Wed, Oct. 14 @ 7:00 PM – SEPAC Meeting 

Douglas Public Schools – Family Engagement Survey

• Douglas Public Schools is committed to building strong partnerships with our families. We value your input and would like to learn how we can better engage you in your child’s education and school community. Please take a few minutes to complete this brief survey.
  • DPS Family Engagement Survey
  • DES Family Engagement Survey
  • DMS Family Engagement Survey
  • DHS Family Engagement Survey

Please contact rlavallee@cwmars.org with any registration dates for Youth Sports, as well as any event dates.

• Douglas Youth Basketball
  • 2026/2027 Winter K-8 Intramural Girls and Boys Instructional League – Click Here to Register

For regularly scheduled happenings at the Simon Fairfield Public Library, please click here to view the calendar. 

• Mon, Oct 5 @ 6:30 PM – Cozy Romance Book Club ** NEW **
• Mon, Oct. 26 @ 9:00 AM – Get Help With Jenna Gouin, Certified SHINE Counselor
• Wed, Oct. 28 @ 6:00 PM – Happy Halloween Tricks and Treats with Robert Rivest Comic Mime

Blackstone Valley Emergency Shelter

• 2026 “100 Hands of Hope” Challenge (Click here to learn more)
  • BVES is looking for 100 compassionate volunteers to support their WInter shelter season, providing a warm, safe space for individuals in crisis. 
• 2026 BVES Sleepout (Click here to learn more)
  • November 6, 7 or 8 – Help BVES raise awareness by donating funds and sleeping out for one night!

Whitin Community Center

• Wed, Oct. 14 – 10:00 am to 4:00 pm – Annual Blood Drive
  • Click Here to Pre-Register