MassRMV Special Low Plate Lottery

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BOSTON— The Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) is celebrating President's Day by announcing a special?low number lottery featuring the state's new 250th Anniversary Plate.

Residents can apply starting today, Feb. 16, at 9:00 a.m. and have until 5:00 p.m. on Friday, April 17, 2026. Further information is available at Mass.Gov/MA250Plate

The "Massachusetts 250 Years of Independence" plate is emblematic red, white, and blue and is now the most popular specialty plate in the Commonwealth with?more than 57,000 issued in just over seven months, said a press release. 

The plate features a blue background, with the year "1776" surrounded by 13 stars and the phrase "250 Years of Independence" at the bottom. There are 1000 plates available through the lottery, numbered from 1-999 and including the symbolic 1776. 

"Massachusetts is a state of many firsts, and it is only appropriate that we celebrate the nation's 250th anniversary honoring our shared history with the opportunity to celebrate civic pride with a commemorative low number license plate through a lottery. This is a fun but meaningful and visible tribute to the historic occasion, allowing residents to participate in this once in a lifetime event," said Interim MassDOT Secretary and MBTA General Manager Phillip Eng. 

"Since last May, the RMV has offered the patriotic-themed higher number plates (online) as part of the Massachusetts 250 festivities. We are so excited to continue this celebration of American and state history by enabling all qualified Massachusetts residents a chance to win a coveted low number on the popular commemorative plate. The RMV is thrilled to partner with the Massachusetts State Lottery and benefit from their lottery expertise. And thank you to the RMV team for their incredible efforts in planning this event," shared Registry of Motor Vehicles Registrar Colleen Ogilvie.    

 "This event represents a unique opportunity to combine historical recognition with public engagement in a way that aligns with the Lottery's mission. A commemorative low lottery plate is likely to generate strong interest from residents across the state while honoring an extraordinary milestone in our state's history," said Massachusetts State Lottery Executive Director Mark William Bracken. 

Applications for the special 250th Anniversary Plate low number lottery will be available at myRMVOnline Service Center(located under the Plates button) beginning at 9:0 a.m. on Monday, February 16, 2026. To be eligible for the low number lottery applicants must apply by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, April 17, 2026. Requests for specific plate numbers will not be honored. Plates will be awarded using an electronic random number generator system.  

Applicants should note that there is no fee to apply for the lottery. All specialty plates have a biennial $40.00 special plate fee, along with a registration fee of $60.00. The initial registration fee may vary depending upon the applicant's current plate expiration date and the expiration date of the winning plate number. 

Customers are encouraged to visit the RMV's website or follow @MassRMV on X (formerly Twitter) for additional details about the lottery. In addition, lottery plate applicants will be sent a notification from the RMV to the email address they provided with lottery event details. The lottery winners will be announced on May 7, and residents will be able to watch the event online via the RMV website. Following the event, results will be available on the RMV website.  

RMV Low Plate Lottery Rules and Eligibility Requirements  

  • A person (known as "applicant") who applies for the Massachusetts 250 Low Number License Plate Lottery must be a Massachusetts resident with a current active, Massachusetts registered, and insured passenger motor vehicle.  
  • As a condition of the application process, applicants consent to their name, zip code, and any other information that is required be released in accordance with the Massachusetts Public Records law. 
  • Only one entry per applicant will be accepted, regardless of the number of active passenger motor vehicle registrations the applicant has on file with the RMV.  
  • The following are ineligible to participate:
    • Companies and corporations 
    • Commercial vehicles and motorcycles 
    • Any employee of MassDOT, including but not limited to executive level employees, RMV, Highway, MBTA, Rail and Transit, Aeronautics, all shared services within MassDOT, and contract employees 
    • Any employee of Mass Lottery, including but not limited to executive level employees and contract employees 
    • Immediate family members of any MassDOT employees (as described above) and Mass Lottery. This includes parents, spouses, children, and siblings.  
    • An applicant whose Massachusetts registration is not in an active status (i.e., in a non-renewal, suspended, or revoked status) at the time of entry, at the time of the lottery, or at the time of the plate swap. 
    • An applicant with outstanding violations or obligations reported to the RMV 
  • Requests for specific plate numbers will not be honored. Plates will be awarded using an electronic random number generator system. 
  • Submission deadline: Online entries will be accepted beginning at 9:00 a.m. on Monday, February 16, 2026, and must be submitted by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, April 17, 2026. 
  • Lottery results, such as winner's name, place of residence, and winning plate number, will be available on the RMV website (Mass.Gov/RMV) within 5 business days of the lottery event, which will occur in May.        
  • All winners will be notified by mail with instructions on how to transfer their current registration to their new lottery plate. Winners will have until Friday, August 28, 2026, to pay for and swap their plates. 
  • Unclaimed plates by the deadline are considered forfeited by the initial winners, and those plates will be awarded to the pre-selected alternate winners after Friday, August 28, 2026. 
  • Plates will be registered only to the winning applicant specifically named on the application and cannot be transferred to anyone else. 
  • All plates remain the property of the RMV, including after registration.  
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Dalton Fire District Voters OK 'Surprise' Building Purchase

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff

An image of 30-32 Flansburgh from the town's assessor data. 
DALTON, Mass. — For several years, the district has been working with limited space, and a vote at the annual meeting is expected to help ease those constraints.
 
During the meeting on Tuesday at the Stationary Factory, 48 voters approved 24 of the 25 articles on the warrant, including the purchase of 30-32 Flansburgh Ave., directly next to the current station. 
 
If the property passes the home inspection, the district would purchase the multi-family home from its current owner Richard Olsted for $350,000. 
 
The property is a two-family duplex built in 1920 with more than 6,000 square feet on a fifth of an acre. Its assessed value according to information in the town's database is $305,200. It's estimated on Zillow at $312,500, with a potential high of $350,000.
 
As part of the agreement for the purchase cost, the district agreed to allow Olsted to reside in one of the building's units for as long as he chooses, with the understanding that he will be responsible for utilities and will not be required to pay rent.
 
The foreseeable purpose of the other units will be to create proper housing for emergency services personnel. 
 
The department currently has three makeshift bedrooms in the fire station that were described as not well suited for a regular ambulance service.
 
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