Aerial view of New Salem, Massachusetts. Photo by Allen Young.

New Salem’s history began on December 31, 1734, when the General Court granted a township six miles square to 60 residents of Salem, who then set about recruiting settlers. The first settler is believed to be Jeremiah Meacham who came to the area in 1737. The town was governed by Salem until its incorporation in 1753.

New Salem was impacted greatly by the building of the Quabbin Reservoir during the 1930’s. Three streets leading from the town common end at Quabbin gates. Much of the town is off-limits wilderness and is protected by the Metropolitan District Commission which oversees the Quabbin.

Town Statistics
Population:  932 (2001) Tax Rate: $14.60 ( Fiscal Year 2001) Area:  45.02 Square Miles Median Family Income: $39,167
Town Departments	Address	Telephone
Assessor’s Office	15 South Main Street
Selectmen	15 South Main Street
Tax Collector	15 South Main Street	978-544-2731
Town Clerk	15 South Main Street	978-544-2731
Fire Department
Ambulance	Emergency Only	9 1 1
To Report A Fire		9 1 1
Central Station	Main Street	978-544-3345
Police Department
Emergency Only		9 1 1
Business Only	19 South Main Street	978-544-2141
Alternate Emergency Number		978-544-3000
School Department
Superintendent of Schools	Millers Falls, MA	413-659-3337
Swift River School	Wendell Road	978-544-6926