Our Service Area


The MetroWest service area is composed of ten towns and beyond with colorful histories and bright futures.  History comes alive in the districts of the MetroWest Chamber, as these towns were founded in the 17th and 18th centuries.  Rich traditions still influence each community today.

With populations ranging from just under 5,000 to over 68,000, the towns of the MetroWest region are diverse areas with different geographies, demographics, and governments.  However, each district takes pride in their flourishing businesses.  The MetroWest Chamber of Commerce currently has involvement from over 650 businesses throughout our service area.

AshlandAshland

101 Main Street, Ashland, MA 01721
508-881-0100 Fax: 508-231-1503
Email: selectmen@ashlandmass.com

Population: 16,593
Sq. Miles: 12.93
Type of Government: Town Manager/Five-Member Board of Selectmen/Open Town Meeting
School District: Ashland Public Schools, 508-881-0150
Public Library: Ashland Public Library, 508-881-0134
Tax Rate (FY 2011): 15.10

The Town of Ashland’s ideal location midway between Boston and Worcester provides easy access to the interstate highway system and the Massachusetts Turnpike. Ashland, was, in earlier times, a stopping point on a major Indian trail which later became known as the Bay Path, connecting Cambridge and Connecticut. It was here that a community of Natick Indians was established as the Village of Magunkaquog in about 1659.  Once the original starting point of the world famous Boston Marathon which still runs through Ashland, the town is also known as the site of Henry Warren’s invention of the electric clock, later manufactured here under the Telechron name. The Ashland Historical Society, located on 2 Myrtle Street, ensures the preservation Ashland’s rich historical background. 

Ashland, although predominantly residential, is committed to a close working relationship with its business community. Businesses, residents and visitors look forward to “Ashland Day,” a not-to-be-missed annual celebration of traditional New England Spirit.

FraminghamFramingham

150 Concord Street, Framingham, MA 01702
508-532-5400 Fax: 508-620-5910
Email: selectmen@framinghamma.gov

Population: 68,000+
Sq. Miles: 25
Type of Government: Town Manager, Five-Member Board of Selectmen, Open Town Meeting
School District: Framingham Public Schools, 508-626-9117
Public Library: Framingham Public Library, 508-532-5570
Tax Rate (FY 2011): 16.03

 Located in Eastern Massachusetts, Framingham is the largest town in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the hub of the Metro-West region.  Framingham offers a unique blend of urban and rural qualities. The vibrant retail area along Route 9 lies close by quiet residential areas and the town common.

From its founding in 1700, Framingham has supported a variety of industries. The mills and factories that flourished in Framingham encouraged the growth of the Saxonville area of the town and the downtown. Currently, the major town employers are primarily non-manufacturing, including medical, retail, educational, office and biotechnical activities. Many large corporations are headquarted here, including, Bose, Staples and TJX.

The residents of Framingham value public participation and the town is the largest municipality with a town meeting form of government. Framingham offers recreational activities of all sorts for its residents, from the many organized team sports leagues to the nationally renowned Garden in the Woods. Framingham unites for numerous municipal celebrations throughout the year, with a major focus on Flag Day activities in June. Framingham is the home of the world renowned Framingham Heart Study.

HollistonHolliston

703 Washington Street, Holliston, MA 01746
508-429-0601 Fax: 508-429-0684
Email: dellickerj@holliston.k12.ma.us

Population: 13,547
Sq. Miles: 18.7
Type of Government: Town Administrator, Board of Selectmen, Open Town Meeting
School District: Holliston Public School System, 508-429-0654
Public Library: Holliston Public Library, 508-429-0617
Tax Rate (FY 2011): 17.94

Since it was first settled in 1659 and incorporated in 1724, Holliston has grown from a community of a few hundred residents to a community of nearly 15,000.  The town is named after Thomas Hollis, Esq., a benefactor of Harvard College.

Holliston is known for its quaint Town Center, which holds antique shops and boutiques, the town hall, public library, and beautiful churches. Holliston is home to many attractions such as Fiske’s General Store, founded in 1853, and Fatima Shrine.

Holliston takes great pride in its nationally recognized school system, dedicating over $23 million to education in its annual budget. There are many events for children through the school system as well as through town sports departments and the town parks department.  Every year, Holliston holds the event “Celebrate Holliston” with a parade and field day, growing in numbers each year.

HopkintonHopkinton

Town Hall, 18 Main Street, Hopkinton, MA 01748
Town Clerk, 508-497-9710 Fax: 508-497-9702
Email: annc@hopkinton.org

Population: 14,925
Sq. Miles: 27.9
Type of Government: Town Manager, Open Town Meeting, Five-Member Board of Selectmen
School District: Hopkinton School District, 508-497-9800
Public Library: Hopkinton Public Library, 508-497-9777
Tax Rate (FY 2011): 16.73

Hopkinton is mainly a residential community, located within commuting distance to many major destinations, including Boston. The source of the Charles River is found in Hopkinton. There are several recreational features including hiking trails, a town forest, and a town beach, along with many ball fields for various sports. The Massachusetts Audubon Society has land in Hopkinton. The area is open to the public with walking trails available. The Hopkinton State Park offers facilities for swimming, boating, hiking, fishing and picnicking. The Whitehall State Park has a boat ramp, as well as a series of trails surrounding the lake.

Hopkinton gains national attention once a year in April. The B.A.A. Marathon has started in Hopkinton since 1924. Runners from all over the world gather on Main Street to begin their 26-mile run to Boston. On July 4th each year, Hopkinton has a local parade. The Polyarts Festival is held in the fall and includes performing arts, exhibiting artists and craftspeople. During the summer, a series of concerts is held on the Town Common.

In 2011, Hopkinton High School was ranked the 95th best high school in the nation by Newsweek.  It was also ranked the second best school in the state by Newsweek.  Rankings were based on a schools’ four-year graduation rate, the proportion of graduates immediately entering college, and the number of Advanced Placement tests taken per graduate.

NatickNatick

13 East Central Street, Natick, MA 01760
508-647-6400 Fax: 508-647-6401

Population: 33,006
Sq. Miles: 15.99
Type of Government: Town Administrator, Five-Member Board of Selectmen & 180 Representative Town Meeting
School District: Natick Public Schools, 508-647-6500
Public Library: Bacon Free Library, 508-653-6730 /
Tax Rate (FY 2011): 12.6

Natick was first settled in 1651 and was officially incorporated in 1781.  Once a predominantly farming town, Natick is now home to many large companies, including Boston Scientific, Math Works and Cognex, in addition to many smaller companies. It is located 16 miles west of Boston, with direct access to major routes (Route 9, Route 128, Mass Turnpike, etc).

In the downtown area, there are numerous fine restaurants, as well as The Center for the Arts (TCAN), providing a wide variety of shows and music to satisfy residents and non-residents alike. Natick has attracted a wide variety of retail stores within the Natick  Mall.

Natick has a nine-hole executive golf course at the former landfill, numerous playing fields for baseball, football, soccer, and a skating rink all within walking distance of the high school. The town has many walking and bicycling paths and the Broadmoor Wildlife Sanctuary.  One elementary school has received The National Blue Ribbon Award given by the US Department of Education.

By an Act of the Legislature, Natick is the “HOME OF CHAMPIONS”, inspired by The Union Ladder Company win in the Worlds Hook and Ladder Championship in competition in 1891.

SherbornSherborn

19 Washington Street, Sherborn, MA 01770
508-651-7853 Fax: 508-651-7854
Email: n/a
Web: www.sherbornma.org

Population: 4,119
Sq. Miles: 16.14
Type of Government: Town Administrator, Board of Selectmen, Open Town Meeting
School District: Dover Sherborn Regional
Public Library: Sherborn Library
Tax Rate (FY 2011): 17.72

Sherborn is a small semi-rural community located about 18 miles southwest of Boston. Settled in 1652 and incorporated in 1674, the town is proud of its rural heritage, which is still evident in many active farms and orchards, preserved in Town Forest and other extensive public lands. Open space comprises more than 50% of the town’s area. Because all properties have individual wells and septic systems, minimum house lot sizes are one, two or three acres, depending upon location.

Sherborn is an active, outdoors-oriented town where residents enjoy miles of trails through woods and meadows for walking and horseback riding, swimming and boating in Farm Pond, and participating in any number of team sports. A high degree of volunteerism due to strong citizen support for town projects, and commitment to excellence in public education, characterize the community’s values today, as they have for more than 300 years.

SouthboroughSouthborough

Town Hall, 17 Common Street, Southborough, MA 01772
508-485-0710 Fax: 508-480-0161
Email: townclerk@southboroughma.com

Population: 9,767
Sq. Miles: 17
Type of Government: Town Administrator, Open Town Meeting, Board of Selectmen
Town Administrator: Jean E. Kitchen

School District: Southborough/Northborough School Districts
Public Library: Fay Library, 508-485-5031
Tax Rate (FY 2011): 15.58

The Town of Southborough was officially established in 1727 and was once primarily a farming community.  With nearly 25% of the town covered by the Sudbury Reservoir, Southborough has retained a low density rural/suburban character.  Industries in Southborough grew substantially after World War II with the “high tech” industry and the construction of Interstate 495.

Each year, Southborough celebrates Heritage Day on Columbus Day.  The day involves a parade including youth organizations, the Algonquin High School Marching Band, as well as police and fire vehicles.  The parade ends near St. Mark’s green with a plethora of local vendors and organizations offering activities, food and information.

Southborough is known for its scenic trails available for hiking or walking, particularly through Chestnut Hill Farm.  With two miles of trails at Chestnut Hill Farm alone, there are various opportunities to enjoy the scenic joys of Southborough.

SudburySudbury

278 Old Sudbury Road, Sudbury, MA 01776
978-443-8891 Fax: 978-443-0756

Population: 17,659
Sq. Miles: 24.7
Type of Government: Town Manager, Board of Selectmen, Open Town Meeting
School District: Sudbury Public Schools (K-8), 978-443-1058,
Lincoln-Sudbury Regional (9-12), 978-443-9961
Public Library: Goodnow Library, 978-443-1035
Tax Rate (FY 2011): 17.03 (Residential); 22.27 (Commercial)

Sudbury has deep roots in American history. In 1638, the first white settlers came to Sudbury, some directly from England. This was the second settlement above the tidal streams, and it was incorporated in 1639. The original Sudbury Plantation straddled the river; land grants were from the colonial legislature and payment was made to Indian owners such as Karte (Goodman).

As the settlement grew, Sudbury townsmen developed not merely a new community, but a new concept; government with the consent of the governed. Sudbury’s role in the development of the town meeting form of government, and its insistence upon the direct right of a citizen to choose his governors and make himself heard upon any issue in open forum, did much to lay the foundation of American democracy.

The town still maintains a rural character and is proud of its history.  The Sudbury Historical Society offers both an online historical tour and a walking historical walking tour, which capture the historical essence of the town.

WaylandWayland

41 Cochituate Road, Wayland, MA 01778-2614
508-358-7701 Fax: 508-358-3627
Email: jstcroix@wayland.ma.us

Population: 12,994
Sq. Miles: 15.28
Type of Government: Town Administrator, Board of Selectmen, Open Town Meeting
School District: Wayland School Department, 508-358-3774
Public Library: Wayland Public Library,
508-358-2311
Tax Rate (FY 2012): $19.01

Incorporated in 1780, the town of Wayland is a peaceful community located in MetroWest situated at the halfway point between Boston and Worcester. While Wayland is located in an area that provides easily accessible shopping, sightseeing, dining and entertainment, Wayland itself remains a quiet bedroom community in a semi-rural setting with little industrial or commercial base.

Wayland is the home to many urban professionals due in part to its peaceful setting and its close proximity to the City of Boston. In addition to that, Wayland is an ideal community to raise a family as Wayland’s School System is known as one of the finest school systems in the state. The town has taken many steps to preserve forests, marshes and fields that surround the Sudbury River and provides its residents an opportunity to enjoy these areas for passive recreation.

WestboroughWestborough

34 West Main Street, Westborough, MA 01581
508-366-3030 Fax: 508-366-3012

Population: 18,272
Sq. Miles: 21.57
Type of Government: Town Coordinator, Board of Selectmen, Open Town Meeting
School District: Westborough, 508-836-7700
Public Library: Westborough, 508-366-3050
Tax Rate (FY 2012): 19.21

Since its incorporation in 1717 as the 100th town in Massachusetts, Westborough has grown from a settlement of orchards and dairies into a dynamic community with a healthy mix of residences, wooded trails and industry.

At the intersection of the Mass Pike, Route 495 and Route 9, Westborough is an ideal location for business headquarters. Spurred by the advent of the train in 1834, Westborough has been home to diversified manufacturing, ranging from sleighs, straw hats and boots in the past to computer and telecommunications equipment today. Westborough has also emerged as an important regional center for office development, with 35 percent of its employment devoted to the service sector. Westborough’s population of a little more than 18,000 residents enjoys fine schools, extensive public services for all ages, and active recreation programs on its lakes, woodlands and playing fields.