First-time buyer programs
MassHousing sets its own income and price limits for Worcester County. We check them with you before you shop.
MassHousing home loans
Living in Templeton, Massachusetts
Templeton is a town in north-central Worcester County, first settled around 1751 and incorporated in 1762. It's made up of four main villages: Templeton Center, East Templeton, Baldwinville and Otter River. Town Hall sits in East Templeton, while Otter River State Forest, shared with Winchendon and Royalston, covers land in the town's northern section around Beaman Pond.
Templeton at a glance
- $11.87Residential tax rate per $1,000, FY2026
- $4,490Average single-family tax bill, FY2026
- WorcesterCounty
- 1762Year incorporated
Templeton's villages and zip codes
Templeton uses several ZIP codes across its villages: 01468 for Templeton Center and Otter River, 01438 for East Templeton, and 01436 for Baldwinville.
| Area | Zip code | Where it is |
|---|---|---|
| East Templeton | 01438 | Home to Town Hall and most municipal offices. |
| Templeton Center | 01468 | The town's historic common, with the First Church of Templeton and the Templeton Common Historic District. |
| Baldwinville | 01436 | A village along Central Street in northern Templeton, historically tied to the local post office and rail line. |
| Otter River | 01468 | A smaller village near Otter River State Forest. |
Things to do in Templeton, MA
Start with Otter River State Forest and First Church of Templeton, then 1 more below.
Otter River State Forest
A 1,022-acre state forest shared with Winchendon and Royalston, with a swimming beach and camping at Beaman Pond, picnic areas, a ball field, and trails for hiking, mountain biking and cross-country skiing.
Off Winchendon Rd (Route 202), Templeton, MA
First Church of Templeton
A historic church on Templeton Common, part of the Templeton Common Historic District.
Templeton Center, MA
Boynton Public Library
Established in 1868 and named for John Boynton, the town's library on Templeton Common.
Templeton Center, MA
A little history
Templeton was first settled around 1751 and was incorporated as its own town in 1762.
The town grew as four separate villages -- Templeton Center, East Templeton, Baldwinville and Otter River -- each with its own center, rather than a single downtown.
Boynton Public Library, on Templeton Common, was established in 1868 and named for local benefactor John Boynton.
Parks, trails and outdoors in Templeton
Otter River State Forest, shared with Winchendon and Royalston, gives Templeton a swimming beach and campground at Beaman Pond along with trails for hiking, biking and cross-country skiing.
- Otter River State Forest1,022 acres with a swimming beach and camping at Beaman Pond, picnic areas, a ball field and multi-use trails.
- Beaman PondA pond within the state forest with a Civilian Conservation Corps-era dam and a visitor contact station.
Walkability and getting around Templeton
East Templeton and Templeton Center have sidewalks around their village centers, but the town's four villages are spread apart, so getting between them, and around most of Templeton, means driving.
Drive times
- Gardner, about 5 miles
Approximate, without traffic.
By bus or train
Templeton has no confirmed fixed-route public transit and no train station.
Templeton property taxes
Templeton's FY2026 residential tax rate is $11.87 per $1,000 of assessed value. Massachusetts assesses homes at full value, so each $100,000 of assessed value costs about $1,187 a year. The average single-family tax bill was $4,490, on an average assessed value of $378,285.
Templeton's FY2026 tax rates
$11.87per $1,000, residential
- Residential$11.87 per $1,000
- Average single-family assessed value$378,285
- Average single-family tax bill$4,490
- Motor vehicle excise (statewide)$25 per $1,000 of value
Source: Massachusetts Division of Local Services, Tax Rates by Class and Average Single Family Tax Bill.
How the residential rate has changed
| Fiscal year | Residential rate |
|---|---|
| FY2022 | $15.24 |
| FY2023 | $12.92 |
| FY2024 | $12.60 |
| FY2025 | $12.12 |
| FY2026 | $11.87 |
Look up a Templeton property
- Property record cardsAssessed value, lot size and building details
- FEMA flood mapWhether a lender will require flood insurance
- Registry of DeedsDeeds and mortgages for the county
Buying a home in Templeton
What we check on a Templeton purchase: MassHousing limits, the flood map, the smoke certificate, municipal utility, well & septic, trash.
Check the flood zone first
The Otter River and Beaman Pond in the state forest put some low-lying parcels in northern Templeton within FEMA-mapped flood zones. We check FEMA's map before you offer.
FEMA's flood map for TempletonSmoke and CO certificate
Massachusetts requires the seller to get a smoke and carbon monoxide certificate from the Templeton Fire Department before the sale closes. Call 978-939-8122 to schedule.
Electricity and water come from the town, not a private utility
Templeton runs its own Templeton Municipal Light and Water Department rather than being served by a private electric company, and also supplies public water in parts of town.
Confirm sewer coverage for a specific address
A town Sewer Department serves parts of Templeton, but outlying parcels, especially outside East Templeton and Baldwinville, rely on private wells and septic systems. Massachusetts requires a Title 5 septic inspection before a home on septic can be sold.
No town trash collection
Templeton doesn't run its own trash or recycling pickup. Residents either hire one of the permitted private haulers or buy an annual permit to use the Winchendon Transfer Station.
All loans are subject to credit approval, underwriting, and property and program requirements. MassHousing limits and eligibility are set by MassHousing and change from time to time.
Thinking about buying in Templeton?
We're licensed in Massachusetts. Send us a Templeton address and we'll run the numbers, taxes included.
Moving to Templeton: utilities, trash and town hall
Who to call in Templeton: Templeton Municipal Light and Water Department for power.
- ElectricTempleton Municipal Light and Water Department
- WaterTempleton Municipal Light and Water Department
- Sewer or septicTempleton Sewer Department serves parts of town; outlying parcels rely on septic systems
- Trash and recyclingTempleton does not run its own trash or recycling collection. Residents contract with one of the town's permitted private haulers for weekly curbside pickup, or use the Winchendon Transfer Station under an intermunicipal agreement, with an annual permit sold by the Town of Winchendon.
- Registry of Motor VehiclesUpdate your address with the RMV within 30 days. Excise tax goes to the city or town where the car is garaged.Mass. RMV
Winchendon Transfer Station
Town Hall offices and contacts
Templeton Town Hall is at 160 Patriots Rd, East Templeton, MA 01438. Hours: Monday 7:30am-6:30pm, Tuesday-Thursday 7:30am-4:30pm, closed Friday. Main line: 978-894-2755.
- Town HallMain line and website978-894-2755
- Town ClerkLand records, vital records and elections.978-894-2758
- AssessorProperty values and assessments.978-894-2760
- Treasurer/CollectorProperty tax billing and payment.978-894-2763
- Development ServicesBuilding permits, zoning and inspections.978-894-2770
- Land Use DepartmentPlanning Board, conservation and agriculture.978-894-2767
- Public ServicesBuildings & grounds, cemetery and highway.978-939-8666
- Boynton Public LibraryThe town's public library.978-939-5582
- Fire DepartmentFire prevention and emergency services (non-emergency line).978-939-8122
- Board of Health / Health InspectorTitle 5 septic inspections, wells and public health permits.978-894-2771
- Narragansett Regional School DistrictThe regional school district serving Templeton and Phillipston.978-939-5661
Templeton, MA FAQ: taxes and town services
What is the property tax rate in Templeton, MA?
Templeton's FY2026 residential tax rate is $11.87 per $1,000 of assessed value. Massachusetts fiscal years run July 1 to June 30.
How much are property taxes on a $400,000 home in Templeton?
Massachusetts taxes homes on their full assessed value. If a home is assessed at $400,000, that's about $4,748 a year at $11.87 per $1,000. The bill uses the assessor's value, not the sale price.
Does Templeton have a split tax rate?
No. Templeton uses a single rate of $11.87 per $1,000 for all property classes.
What is the average single-family tax bill in Templeton?
The average single-family tax bill in Templeton was $4,490 for FY2026, on an average assessed value of $378,285.
What county is Templeton, MA in?
Templeton is in Worcester County.
What ZIP codes does Templeton use?
Templeton Center and Otter River use 01468, East Templeton uses 01438, and Baldwinville uses 01436.
Does Templeton have curbside trash pickup?
The town doesn't run its own collection; residents hire a permitted private hauler or buy an annual permit to use the Winchendon Transfer Station.
Who supplies electricity in Templeton?
The town's own Templeton Municipal Light and Water Department.
What school district serves Templeton?
The Narragansett Regional School District, shared with Phillipston.
What's there to do outdoors in Templeton?
Otter River State Forest, shared with Winchendon and Royalston, has a swimming beach, camping and trails at Beaman Pond.
Towns near Templeton
Neighbors of Templeton, including across the Connecticut line where it applies. All Massachusetts town guides.
Sources
- Templeton, Massachusetts - Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org
- Otter River State Forest - Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org
- Baldwinville, Massachusetts - Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org
- Town of Templeton, MA - Official Website: templetonma.gov
- Town Hall Hours & All Office Phone Numbers - Templeton, MA: templetonma.gov
- Board of Health - Templeton, MA: templetonma.gov
- I'm new to Town, how do I dispose of my trash? - Templeton, MA FAQ: templetonma.gov
- Templeton Residents May Continue to Use the Winchendon Transfer Station - Templeton, MA: templetonma.gov
- Templeton First Church of Christ photo, Wikimedia Commons: commons.wikimedia.org
- Tax rates and average single-family value and tax bill: Massachusetts Division of Local Services, Tax Rates by Class and Average Single Family Tax Bill.
- Motor vehicle excise: M.G.L. c. 60A, $25 per $1,000 of value statewide.
- Walkability: Walk Score®, provided live by Walk Score.
- Photo: John Phelan, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
- Checked September 25, 2026.