In today’s daily 5 Things You Need to Know feature, ThisWeekinWorcester.com explores five important items and stories that Worcester and Central Massachusetts residents should keep a close eye on.
These five things can cover a whole range of subjects and issues that we feel are pertinent to understanding what’s going on in the city and the cities and towns surrounding Worcester.
In today’s edition – Wednesday, October 12 – Worcester offers accessible vote by mail for residents with disabilities, the 7th annual Worcester Hill-O-Ween is coming up on Halloween, the Worcester Public Library brings back Sunday hours, the Downtown Worcester Business Improvement District announces its annual meeting and the average price of gas in Massachusetts increases by 10 cents.
Worcester Offers Accessible Vote by Mail for Residents with Disabilities
The City of Worcester now offers accessible voting by mail for residents that may have a disability that prevents them by voting with a paper ballot.
The last day to register to vote is Oct. 29 to be eligible to vote on Nov. 8.
The following video explains how accessible voting works:
Get more information on voting in Worcester here.
The 7th Annual Worcester Hill-O-Ween
The Worcester Police Department and Worcester Academy present the 7th annual Hill-O-Ween on Halloween, Oct. 31, from 5 PM to 7:30 PM at 121 Providence St. in Worcester, at the summit of Union Hill.
Dozens of people donate candy to enable the family friendly event and provide kids a safe environment for trick-or-treating.
Worcester Public Library Brings Sunday Hours Back
The Worcester Public Library announced its seasonal hours at the main library on Sunday, Oct. 16. Sunday hours will be noon to 4 PM through April 23.
The Main Library will be open most Sundays, with a few exceptions for certain holidays and in the event of inclement weather. The Worcester Public Library updates its operational hours on there calendar on its website.
Downtown Worcester Business Improvement District Annual Meeting
The Downtown Worcester Business Improvement District holds its annual meeting on Wednesday, Oct. 26, from 5 PM to 7 PM at the Worcester Pop Up at 20 Franklin Street.
The meeting will include updates on the organization’s accomplishment and future plans, board elections, and a keynote address by Worcester Acting City Manager Eric Batista. There will also be a cocktail hour including appetizers.
Gas Prices in Mass. Increase by 10 Cents
AAA Northeast reports changes in gas prices across the region on a weekly basis.
After 16 weeks of falling gas prices, Massachusetts’s average gas price increased 10 cents from last week, averaging $3.58 per gallon. That price is 23 cents lower than a month ago ($3.81) and 40 cents higher than on October 11, 2021 ($3.18). The last time Massachusetts gas prices increased was during the week of June 13 when they reached an all-time-high of $5.04 per gallon.
Massachusetts’s average gas price is 34 cents lower than the national average.
“The announced plans by OPEC+ to cut production certainly had an impact on oil prices, but that alone wouldn’t account for the increases we are seeing locally this week,” said Mary Maguire, Vice President of Public Affairs for AAA Northeast. “Inventories are somewhat low, and low supplies lead to higher prices at the pump.”
AAA Northeast’s October 11 survey of fuel prices found the current national average to be 12 cents higher than last week ($3.80), averaging $3.92 a gallon. Today’s national average price is 21 cents higher than a month ago ($3.71) and 65 cents higher than this day last year ($3.17).
