A PETITION TO BAN HORSE AND DOG RACING IN LEOMINSTER HAS BEEN SUBMITTTED!
WE NEED PEOPLE TO SHOW UP TO SUPPORT THIS PETITION AND ANOTHER MECHANIC ST TRAFFIC REMEDIATION PETITION ON 3/24!
I’m happy to report that this past Monday, 3/17/2025, myself and 242 other Leominster residents submitted a petition to the Leominster City Clerk’s office that says the following;
To the Honorable City Council: The Undersigned Petition your Honorable Body to prohibit all horse and dog racing and any associated betting or wagering anywhere within Leominster, Massachusetts by the following;
Amend Article I: Section 22-4. Definitions, by adding the following definition: “Race track. Any tract of land where horses or dogs are raced and where any form of betting or wagering on the speed or ability of horses or dogs are permitted or conducted.”
Amend Article III. Section 22-17. Underlying Districts Table of Uses, under Business Uses, to add “Race track” as a listed use, and to add the letter “N”, for not allowed, in each and every column for each and every district.
Amend Article III. Section 22-18. Overlay Districts Table of Uses, under Business Uses, to add “Race track” as a listed use, and to add the letter “U”, for underlying district, in each and every column for each and every Overlay District.
The purpose of this zoning amendment is to prohibit commercial horse or dog racing anywhere within the City of Leominster, which would not only take care of the imminent looming specter of the Bay Sate Racing LLC proposal but any future horse or dog racing proposals as well.
The requirements to submit a zoning ordinance change petition in Leominster are; there must be 10 Leominster registered voters to sign it and it needs to be submitted by noon of the Thursday prior to the City Council meeting. Well, ours was submitted 3 days early, with 232 extra signatures but didn’t make the agenda? Supposedly, the City Clerk’s office still hadn’t verified the 10 required signatures and apparently the City Council President decided to send it over to legal for review. I was told that once they “have it sorted out” it might still be heard on Monday, 3/24. From reliable sources it sounds as though we will have to wait until the end of the scheduled agenda items and then the City Council will vote on hearing it that night.
Regardless of their shenanigans, what we need is people to SHOW UP on 3/24! We need to show the City Council that there are MANY people opposed to this! While this petition is specific to banning horse and dog racing, it doesn’t matter your reasons for being opposed, it only matters that the City Council sees a united community. One that will stay the course and keep showing up until this proposal is behind us.
We will also be holding a rally immediately prior to the City Council meeting. Anyone looking to participate in the rally should arrive at 5:45pm. Signs will be provided. Then we’ll move inside around 6:40pm. If you can only make the meeting that’s ok. We’ll be grateful for your support!
Last note for the evening – if you haven’t reached out to the city councilors yet, via email or call, PLEASE DO SO! All contact is helping immensely.
Looking forward to seeing anyone who can make it Monday, 3/24/2025 at 5:45pm or 6:40pm!
Let’s go - NO HORSE RACING IN LEOMINSTER, MA!!!