Leominster City Council considers ban on horse and dog racing and wagering

The Leominster Planning Board meeting on June 4, 2025, focused on several key issues, including a motion regarding an engineering report and a public hearing concerning a petition to prohibit horse and dog racing in the city.

During the meeting, the board discussed the engineering report, which was approved without any objections. The motion to accept the report was made and seconded, and after a brief discussion, it passed unanimously. The board also addressed snow storage concerns, noting that no formal motion was required for this topic.

A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to a public hearing regarding a petition from Lisa Nugent, a resident of Beth Avenue. The petition seeks to amend local zoning laws to prohibit all horse and dog racing, along with any associated betting or wagering, within Leominster. The proposed amendments include defining "racetrack" and updating the zoning tables to reflect that such activities would not be allowed in any district.

The board is set to continue discussions on these matters, with a follow-up meeting scheduled for July 21, 2025. The outcome of the petition could have lasting implications for local regulations surrounding animal racing and gambling in the city.