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Gardner Magazine is also Gardner Herald, and a newspaper of general circulation for Greater Gardner MA. Easy URL for Mobile is 3MX.us —- Jump to News of Nearby Communities — LIVE TV NEWS News & Events: News@GardnerMagazine.com
News about towns next to Gardner in our Nearby Communities section below:
Templeton – East Templeton Rotary Update – Winchendon – Recent Board of Selectmen Meeting – Westminster – Elections, Farmers’ Market, Sentinel – Ashburnham – Town Election Results – Hubbardston – Summer Concert Series – Hubbardston – Big Custom Trucks Westminster – Water Main Break 4-28-24 — Winchendon – Low Interest Loan for Water Main Project —- Westminster Town Administrator Speaks on Various Matters Concerning the Town — Recent Public Meetings in Winchendon MA include the Board of Selectmen of April 8th, Winchendon School Committee on April 11th and Hearing of April 2nd, and Winchendon Finance Committee of April 9th. —- Flea Market Opens for the Season — Hubbardston Town Administrator Nate Boudreau Speaks About Budget, Town Meeting Review, and Upcoming Town Meeting – listen to the interview. An Interview with Winchendon Town Manager Bill McKinney – Budget, Business, and the Basics about the Toytown. —- Moving Mountains in Templeton – Interview with Town Administrator Adam Lamontagne —- JUMP TO SECTION.
- Food Pantries
Food Pantry liability, click here.
Gardner CAC has a Food Pantry located at 294 Pleasant Street in Gardner and would love your donations. Website with secure donation ability, CLICK HERE.
Open a Food Pantry at Your House – NO, you can’t do that…
A Gardner resident has announced that a food pantry would open at her residence on Friday, May `17th. However, that might not be lawful. Activities allowed on private property are governed by Zoning which may not allow this, so the first stop would be to the Building Department in Gardner to find out what the rules are. Secondly, the distribution of food in Massachusetts requires a permit obtained after proper inspections. As of midday today, neither the Building Department nor the Board of Health had heard from the resident.
According to Mass Law, a non-profit is not charged for food pantry inspections. Usually, a food bank would be opened by a non-profit holding 501(c) status with the IRS at a location suited for the activity and only after visiting the proper City departments for the appropriate approvals. It’s all to protect the public including existing food pantries which have very real operating costs associated with maintaining standards and rely on donations. Excess traffic at a residential property infringes on the rights of abutters to quiet enjoyment of their properties and can be a public safety hazard. That’s why for example, in the City of Gardner no more than 4 yard sales per year are allowed and even the times are restricted to 8am to 4pm. Open a food pantry at your house, NO, you can’t do that.
The Gardner Building Department and the Gardner Board of Health are aware of the situation. It is unclear at this hour if the resident has been informed about the potential issue or if the pantry must first open before action is taken.
Support Existing Food Pantries
Residents are urged to patronize existing and inspected local food pantries where food safety is assured. Those having donations are urged to make cash or food donations to existing food pantries who already have structures in place to provide food to those who need it. In addition, a proper food pantry with 501(c) status would provide a tax deduction for donations. Some area food pantries which accept food donations and money to buy supplemental food items include: Ashburnham Community Church Food Pantry, 84 Main Street, Ashburnham —- Barre Food Pantry, 30 Park Street, Barre —- Christ Church Food Pantry ,569 Main Street, Fitchburg —- Gardner Community Action Committee Food Pantry located at 294 Pleasant Street in Gardner (the CAC) Website with secure donation ability, CLICK HERE. —- Montachusett Veterans Outreach Center Food Pantry, 268 Central Street, Gardner —- Our Father’s Table at Faith Christian Church, 40 Boutelle Street, Fitchburg —- Our Lady Immaculate Food Pantry, 192 School Street, Athol —- Ruth’s Harvest Food Pantry at Leominster United Methodist Church, 77 Hall Street, Leominster —- Winchendon Community Action Council Food Pantry, 273 Central Street, Winchendon —- Worcester County Food Bank, 474 Boston Turnpike, Shrewsbury (Also distributes foods to area food banks)
- Small Biz 2024
Gardner Square Two Announces Small Business Saturday and Happy Birthday Gardner Festival
The event will be Saturday, June 22, 2024 from 10am to 4pm in Downtown Gardner. Vendor space is still available and Square Two members get a free space. More information from the Gardner Square Two website, CLICK HERE.
How to get a completely FREE SPACE: Just become a Gardner Square Two member which is $100 for a business, $50 for a non-profit. Since a single space is $100, joining Gardner Square Two makes your membership pay for itself right away, plus you get another FREE space at the Fall Festival, putting you $100 ahead. So, join today and reap the FREE benefit. CLICK HERE.
Gardner Square Two had other good news for vendors, “The City of Gardner Police Department no longer requires that you obtain a hawker/peddler license to set up at our festivals. That saves you over $50, and a lot of time and effort.” However, here is the vendor application for Square Two, CLICK HERE.
This Small Business Saturday event in Downtown Gardner is Saturday June 22, 2024 from 10am to 4pm. This year, the Fireworks will not be held the same day as the Festival. They are scheduled for the following Saturday, June 29th. Visit our 2024 Events page for details on upcoming events.
- MWCC 2024
450 Degrees and 229 Certificates Conferred to 620 Students at MWCC 2024 Graduation
On May 15, 2024, the 59th Commencement was held at Mount Wachusett Community College in Gardner MA. Guests were welcomed by MWCC President James Vander Hooven. Massachusetts Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll shared words of welcome. Student speaker was Winchendon resident Katlin Bosworth, ” a mother of three and first-generation college student who received both a Human Services associate degree and a Liberal Arts and Sciences associate degree.
“MWCC will always be my safe place, the place where I am supported and encouraged, the place where I became an adult, the place that has helped me raise three children, the place that taught me success was within me, the place that supported me through the loss of my mother, the place that believed I was worth fighting addiction and the place that has given me acceptance and grace. The place that has picked me up time and time again through my own failures and struggles,” Bosworth told her fellow graduates.
For the complete Press Release listing the names of all the graduates, CLICK HERE.
- Flag 2024
Flag up Again at Gardner City Hall
With interior mechanisms of the pole irreparably damaged during a wind storm on February 29th, Gardner’s iconic flag as pictured at left was missing from the Chair City skyline for the past 2 1/2 months. According to Gardner City Hall, “Due to the age of the flagpole all of the replacement parts had to be custom manufactured for the repairs.” And once the parts were in, the contractor had to wait for a day when the ground was dry and stable and the winds were within the safety threshold. While waiting for the flag to be proudly waving outside again, a temporary flag was installed in the Rotunda of Gardner City Hall.
With the flag pole back to full operation, the Stars and Stripes will be seen again as visitors and residents alike drive past Gardner City Hall on Pleasant Street in Gardner. Gardner has a history of honoring the flag at numerous locations in the City. In August 2022 when a damaged flag was noticed in front of the Gardner Police Headquarters, Gardner Mayor Michael Nicholson made sure a new and bigger flag was purchased. See previous article about this Majestic American Flag at Gardner PD.
- Library Fine Free
For the complete Press Release on pdf, CLICK HERE. — For the website, CLICK HERE.
Listen to Library Director Stephanie Young on any device, CLICK PLAY.
Gardner MA Levi Heywood Memorial Library Goes Fine Free
The Levi Heywood Memorial Library stated in a Press Release on May 15, 2024 “proud to announce that it is eliminating fines on overdue materials, effective immediately. This decision reflects a growing national trend towards promoting equitable access to library services and follows the lead of many public libraries across the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.” Press Release, CLICK HERE.
Serving Everyone: “Libraries are community resources designed to serve everyone, regardless of their economic status,” remarked Stephanie Young, Director of the Levi Heywood Memorial Library. “By going fine free, we are removing barriers to access and ensuring that all members of our community can benefit from the resources and services the library provides.”
Taking the Fear out of it is the reason: “We want to create a welcoming environment where everyone feels encouraged to explore, learn, and grow without the fear of financial penalties.”
Not So fast: While the Levi Heywood Memorial Library will no longer charge fines on overdue materials, patrons will still be responsible for paying for lost or damaged items. Additionally, certain special collections, such as Museum Passes, may accrue fines for late returns to ensure equitable access for all patrons.
- GALA 2024
GALA Art and Music Festival 2024 is 3 Big Days
The HUGE GALA Art and Music Festival is May 17, May 18, and May 19 taking place at Red Apple Farm located at 455 HIghland Avenue in Phillipston MA. Admission is FREE.
Performances on May 17th include Sweet Euphoria, Mark Frederick Fisher, and Jukebox Jake.
Performances on May 18th include Maggee Neff, Two for the Road, and the Big RanDom.
Performances on May 19th include Cara & Val, Scott Alan Savoy, and Amber Chaves.
There will be plenty of delicious food and beer available for purchase at the event.
GALA is the Gardner Area League of Artists. For more information about the organization, becoming a member, or about this and other events, CLICK HERE. for the GALA website
- New Ambulance
Gardner Fire Department Gets New Ambulance and Shows it off
The Gardner Fire Department released this statement in a Facebook post, “Some exciting news for the GFD!! Our new ambulance has finally arrived at Greenwood Emergency vehicles in Attleboro. Chief Lagoy and EMS Coordinator Lt. Hulette went down Monday to Greenwood and made the final inspection on the new truck. It’s has taken almost two years to get the ambulance built. We hope to have it here in Gardner by the beginning of June and prepare it for City service.
We also are awaiting delivery of our new engine and heavy rescue that’s due (hopefully) in September. The new vehicles will be a great and welcomed addition to our fire department with updating our fleet with new and modern equipment to serve the citizens of Gardner.”
- Templeton Rotary
Templeton MA Rotary Project Pulls Ahead of Gardner
Templeton MA has announced major progress in its rotary project on May 14, 2024 as shown in the visual from the Templeton PD which posted, “TRAFFIC PATTERN CHANGE 05/14/2024 After two days of paving, the East Templeton Rotary Project has started to take form and will begin to enter the next phase of the project. Please note the layout, and traffic directions moving forward. Gardner Road (Route 101) will remained closed. Thank you!“
Completion of the Rotary Project in Gardner is expected to be this Fall.
Meanwhile, in Gardner, the work continues. Shown at right is construction and the concept illustration of what the finished project will look like.
CLICK IMAGE for larger view.
- Junior Academy ’24
Gardner PD gets Ready for Junior Police Academy 2024
The Gardner Police Department posted the photo collage at left on its Facebook page. and wrote “The Jr. Police Academy is now accepting applications! This free program will start July 15 – July 20, for teens between the ages of 14 and 17. This Academy will be an interactive learning environment and opportunity to learn about local law enforcement. Some of the activities for the week will include: Physical fitness training, mock traffic stops, defensive tactics, and investigative techniques. Applications are available at the Gardner PD or submit an application through the link. Apply soon as space is limited! This Academy is open to all teens, with priority given to Gardner residents. All applications are due by June 17th.
Any questions regarding the Jr. Academy can be directed to Lt. John Czasnowski at 978-632-5600 ext. 124 or by email at jczasnowski@gardner-ma.gov. ” As soon as this was released on Social Media, one person related a story of how his son participated in Junior Police Academy in 8th grade and is now a state trooper in Connecticut some decades later. Others commented enthusiastically about the program.
- School 5-16-24
Gardner School Committee Met on Monday May 13, 2024
The Gardner MA School Committee Met on Monday May 13, 2024. Complete Agenda and Packet, CLICK HERE. Listen to the meeting on any device, CLICK PLAY.
Robert Swartz detailed progress relating to various projects in the schools. pointing out that some estimated costs have been filled in (see packet). Pictures in the graphic at left show some of the progress. There is a listing of miscellaneous theatrical upgrades for $500,000. “I think everybody on the committee choked on that. So hopefully we’ll get more details as to what that miscellaneous means by next month or so.” Mayor Nicholson added that the City Hall flagpole should be fixed by the end of this week.
Various academic progress was detailed and policies were discussed. Dr. Pellegrino commented on improving attendance and what was discussed at an administrative council meeting, “But just tonight, we were talking about the high school and how the entire MTSS team really focused on improving attendance, and specifically, attendance of students with disabilities. Last year, there were 31 students with disabilities who were chronically absent at the high school. This year, working with the teachers, working with the administrators, everybody pulling together, that number dropped to 12. That’s a big deal, and those numbers sound like small numbers, but they’re huge wins.”
Anne Hurst spoke about Mental Health Month and had some stats on the subject for the meeting: “Thank you to everybody in the district for doing such a phenomenal job. When she was given the presentation and she talked about students with disabilities, you know, and being part of the college program and stuff like that, of course, that’s, you know, yeah. That’s, yeah. I also wanted to just say that May is Mental Health Month. I have a couple of statistics that I have from NAMI, which is the National Alliance of the Mentally Ill. 50% of all lifetime mental illnesses begin by the age of 14 and 75% by the age of 24. One in five U.S. adults experience mental illness each year and only half of them receive treatment. The average delay between the onset of a mental illness symptom and treatment is as high as 11 years. So we need to really recognize and take care of our friends and neighbors and relatives and really, really have mental illness be part of a discussion. I noticed that the trend now with a lot of family physicians is it’s all about the mind and the body and, you know, they’re understanding how that all goes together. And it’s just a really important thing to start really talking about and to never expect that someone’s gonna tell you they’re suffering“
- Crazy Social Media
From the Publisher: Gardner Magazine has been publicly criticized on Social Media for its positive reporting on Mayor Nicholson, the Gardner City Council, and the Gardner Team of great municipal and school employees. Our response is simple: It’s not our fault they’re doing a good job. But it is somewhat fun to report on all the successes of the past 4 years.
Gardner MA Social Media Goes Crazy – WGAW’s Steve Wendell Responds
Since 2011, WGAW’s Steve Wendell has interviewed the Gardner Mayor nearly every single week on Hotline Radio which airs Saturdays from noon to 2pm, most recently interviewing Mayor Michael Nicholson for the last 4 years. Wendell sees the Facebook lies being circulated right now and decided to speak up. Listen to the comments from Steve Wendell aired Saturday May 11, 2024 on any device. CLICK PLAY
Ironically, former mayoral candidate Kimberly Blake often chimes in with comments about Mayor Nicholson, but as Wendell states, “She was the one who actually set up that illegal children’s bingo and basically was fined by the state…and I don’t think she gave back the money to the people who came to the children’s bingo, no refunds were made.” During the campaign last year, Blake often made wild statements including a false one about a portrait, CLICK HERE.
Comment from Publisher Werner Poegel: Opposing viewpoints on ideas are the hallmark of our political system as is free speech. However, the false allegations being perpetrated on one particular local Facebook Group are simply made up nonsense. We had a previous commentary regarding possible criminal consequences for the false statements, CLICK HERE.
- Update 5-10-24
Bonanza of Community Events and Project Progress Highlight of Weekly Gardner MA Update
Gardner Mayor Michael Nicholson updated the Chair City on May 10, 2024. Listen on any device. CLICK PLAY.
Community Events: Annie Fields at Gardner Museum on Thursday May 16th —- Gardner Area League of Artists Art and Music Festival May 17th to 19th — AED Foundation Recovery Comedy Night is May 17th at Perry Auditorium —- Saturday, May 18th is First Responder Day at Levi Heywood Memorial Library —- Sunday, May 19th is a Journey of Life Concert at Bethany Baptist Church —- Popular Cruise Nights and Concerts at PACC set to begin on May 24th — Relay for Life June 7th and 8th at MWCC —- High School Graduation is Saturday, June 1, 2024 at 10am at Watkins Field at Gardner High School. —- Greenwood Outdoor Pool scheduled to open June 19th —- Library Summer Reading kickoff is June 26th at 4:30pm. —- First Concert at Monument Park is June 22nd —- Visit our Events page, CLICK HERE
Project Progress: Construction of 3 tier Maki Park has begun and will consists of outdoor seating, picnic tables, cornhole boards, and a complete outdoor stage area with electricity. —-
Road paving: Work has begun on completing Fredette Street, Wilkins Road, and Lower Parker Street. Pothole Week: All 4 DPW crews, not just the highway department will do nothing but potholes next week. Paving schedule will be released ahead of time in weekly updates.
New Businesses in 2024: Mayor Nicholson recapped the businesses which have opened and/or have had ribbon cuttings so far this year.
- Fictional Theater 14
Fictional Theater Episode 14 – Joe and Don Take Calls at the Call Center
Our best friends Don and Joe with a new hit episode from our series called Joe and Don at the Call Center. Listen on any device, CLICK PLAY.
For the complete page featuring Episodes 1-12, (Episode 13 is in the works) and this episode, please visit the Joe and Don page, CLICK HERE.
The series is entirely fiction. We only wish that Joe and Don would be best friends and that our politics would be more civil in nature.
- Public Service 5-6-24
Public Service Committee in Gardner Hears from Citizens and Department Heads
The Gardner Public Service Committee chaired by Councilor Paul Tassone hears water and sewer appeals by ratepayers in Gardner. It also hears reports from Conservation, DPW, and Engineering. Listen to the May 6, 2024 meeting on any device, CLICK PLAY.
DPW Director Dane Arnold spoke once again of staffing shortages – department is down 14 out of 39 staff members. “We really hope something is done with salary of employees, we just can’t get help.” Staffing shortages will impact the ability to pave certain streets in 2024.
City Engineer Rob Ovila spoke of projects including the Uptown Rotary. Various streets will be impacted by detours.
The Sludge Landfill Project was discussed. As DPW Director Arnold stated, “Massachusetts does not have a plan.” Conservation Agent Doug Dillon gave an update.
- Transmission 5-8-24
Two years from now, it is expected the replacement of these structures will be well underway. They will not be taken down until new structures are put up to avoid any disruption in electric service.
Gardner MA Transmission Lines Await Replacement – Electrical Grid to be Upgraded
It’s hard to tell from the photos, but these structures are more than a century old. In fact, the electric grid across the United States is badly in need of upgrades because of age and the need for increased capacity to meet this century’s needs.
As we wrote in August 2023, “In 1909, the 69 kilovolt transmission lines were constructed and materials were brought in at the time by horse and buggy. Today, modern equipment will be used to bring this part of the grid up to date before there are problems due to the aging system.” Previous article, CLICK HERE.
Public Comment hearings were held in April 2024: The Commonwealth of Massachusetts Energy Facilities Siting Board hosted three hybrid public comment hearings for the A1/B2 Asset Condition Refurbishment Project. The hearings were held on different dates at the Athol Public Library, Mount Wachusett Community College, and Fitchburg State University.
Project progress: The A1/B2 ACR project team is continuing the permitting process and preparation for forestry work was done over the winter. Tree work began in March 2024 on the New Hampshire portion with Vermont and Massachusetts tree work and access road work to be done later. Massachusetts construction is expected to begin next Fall pending permit approvals. Actual line work is expected to begin in 2026. Bottom Line: This will take some time to complete. For updates about the project at any time, here’s the website, CLICK HERE.
This 61 mile project originates in Vernon, Vermont, travels through Hinsdale and Winchester, New Hampshire then continues through a number of towns within Northern Massachusetts including, Warwick, Royalston, Winchendon, Gardner, Westminster, Fitchburg, Leominster, and Sterling.
Coming off the mainline, this project also includes the Athol Tap and the Crystal Lake Tap. The Athol Tap runs from Royalston Substation to Chestnut Hill Ave Substation in Athol, Massachusetts. The Crystal Lake Tap runs from Gardner Switching Station to Crystal Lake Substation in Gardner, Massachusetts.
- Beautify Gardner
Beautification of Gardner is Underway – Difference is Easily Apparent
Top view is the fencing obscuring land which became the Park Street Park. Originally an electrical substation, the substation was abandoned in favor of another site, but the fence and barbed wire remained. Gardner Mayor Nicholson proposed the expenditure of $260k and got approval from the Gardner City Council to literally change the landscape.
Now, the beautiful view of Crystal Lake greets visitors and residents alike at Park Street Park. The beautification of Gardner is underway and the difference is easily apparent. Dozens of additional parking spaces are now available for events at Monument Park. And, Monument Park itself was upgraded with ADA compliant sidewalks and more.
- Maki Park 5-7-24
Construction Fencing Goes Up Around what will be Maki Park
From a grassy field of green at the location of the torn-down Maki Building to the promise of a new Maki Park in the near future, the next step was taken this week as temporary construction fencing surrounds the rectangular area.
The Concept Drawing shows a three-tier terraced park with each section fulfilling different recreational needs including plans for a Bandstand and cornhole play. Because the land is at more than a 15 degree angle, it could not be left flat due to ADA requirements.
More than one year ago, the Gardner City Council allocated almost $200,000 for the project. Another part of the plan is to put in electricity which would allow for electric vehicle charging in the nearby parking lot.
- Timpany 5-7-24
Progress at Gardner MA Timpany Plaza Continues
Grocery Store Aldi opened in Timpany Plaza in April 2024. The construction crew immediately moved over to its next project, the location leased by Five Below for its new Gardner MA location. Completion is projected to be within several months.
With the former Santander Bank building completely gone, the new Chiptotle Mexican Grill is well under way. Shown in the top photo is the start of the framing for the building. An interesting tidbit for those interested in Chipotle: They claim to use 53 ingredients you can actually pronounce. Visit their website, CLICK HERE.
Timpany Plaza still has room for other new tenants. It is home to some popular businesses including Gardner Cinemas which upgraded to luxury reclining seats over a year ago. Get your movie times right here, Website.
Previous article showing available locations in Timpany Plaza, CLICK HERE.
- School Update
School Committee OK doing Voice Vote on Budget
In our article about the last School Committee meeting, we questioned the vote as it was not a roll call vote as the Mayor did last year. However, Mayor Nicholson has kindly informed us that only a voice vote is actually required, “The General Laws of the Commonwealth only require roll call votes on specific votes- mainly on borrowing loans or on appropriations (the final vote to actually spend money on something). Since the vote of the School Committee is technically to send their final recommendation to the City Council for their vote on the appropriation, this could be done by a simple voice vote, but the City Council’s vote must be done via a roll call vote.” However, according to City Solicitor John Flick, a roll call vote can be requested at any time by 2/3 of the members of the committee.
- Council Results 5-6-24
Agenda and Packet, CLICK HERE. – The discussions within this meeting are very informative. Listen on any device. CLICK PLAY.
Gardner MA City Council Makes Decisions in Informal and Regular Meeting
The Gardner MA City Council held an Informal meeting on: (1) Increasing room occupancy tax from 4 to 6 percent (2) adding Local .75% sales tax on meals and (3) resolving to review the Zoning Map. Listen to the combined AUDIO of both meetings on any device, CLICK PLAY.
It was noted that Leominster increased its room tax to 6% in 2017 and Fitchburg did so last month. Here’s how Gardner voted: At the regular City Council meeting, the room occupancy tax increase to 6% was approved unanimously. It is estimated this will bring in about $50k per year. The Sales Tax on meals at the rate of .75% was approved on a vote of 10 to 1. It is estimated this will bring in $500k per year. A resolution was adopted to review the Zoning Map. Mayor Nicholson earlier in the meeting had told the Council that grant funding was being sought as cost could be around $150,000 and given the time involved the State recommends an outside firm do the job.
In other matters, the Open Meeting Law finding was placed on file. Other items including the big budget items were referred to either subcommittees or the Council as a Committee of the whole.
Open Meeting Law Matter – Inaccurate Statements by Paul DeMeo
Listen to what was actually stated by Councilor Alek Dernalowicz at the City Council Meeting on any device. CLICK PLAY
Councilor Alek Dernalowicz actually stated, “I just wanted to quickly point out that the complaints, the items listed in the complaint were not found to be in violation. There was a finding that we failed to review the minutes in a reasonable interval, which is how it’s stated in the Mass General Laws. Even the Attorney General has difficulty, it seems, defining what a reasonable interval is in their ruling. At one point, they say it’s a certain set of months, and at another point, they say a different amount. I think, in reality, it could possibly turn on what the executive session was about, but that being said, we will follow the guidance from the Attorney General and do this as they prescribe going forward.” While Councilor Dernalowicz clearly states (words in bold) that the City Council will follow guidance of the Attorney General, Paul DeMeo in a post inaccurately states “he should have cautioned the city council to comply with the law.” – an inaccurate statement because that is exactly what he did do. Publisher’s Editorial Note: DeMeo also makes other disparaging remarks which we won’t dignify by repeating here. As Paul DeMeo had made the original complaint, we can understand why he reacted negatively, but that is no excuse for making inaccurate statements simply to disparage an effective, honest, and hard-working City Councilor. Once again, Pauly Potato is simply wrong and the AUDIO above proves it. Further comment regarding DeMeo: Gardner is not a dystopia. Gardner’s officials and employees are hard-working, honest people leading the Chair City on an effective trajectory of success. When a City like Gardner is held in high esteem by other municipalities often as the “Gold Standard” of how things should be done (including its transparency), it is very odd when negative comments often appear out of nowhere with no foundation in fact.
- City Council 5-6-24
Gardner Regular City Council Meeting for May 6, 2024
The regular City Council meeting on 5-6-24 will concern various aspects and complete details of the Fiscal Year 2025 Budget. Previous article with pdf of budget, CLICK HERE.
Other proposed items include an ordinance to change the fee for solid waste collection and an ordinance to increase the number of Zoning Board of Appeals members from 3 to 5. ZBA decisions now require a unanimous vote. With the change a majority vote would be the new threshold.
OPEN MEETING LAW. Once again, a ruling from the Massachusetts Attorney General’s office regarding an Open Meeting Law complaint by Paul DeMeo resulted in a technical violation finding but no action. According to the Attorney General, the Gardner City Council is required to review Executive Session minutes at regular intervals to determine if secrecy is still needed, but they do not have to do so in a timely manner as was alleged by DeMeo – the “timely manner’ requirement is for the public portion of meetings only.
- Gardner Quarter
Informal City Council Agenda for May 6, 2024, CLICK HERE.
What Could a Quarter Mean in Gardner MA?
Gardner Mayor Nicholson is proposing the City adopt a .75% tax on lodging and meals. This would mean a $30.00 restaurant bill would increase by 23 cents to $31.23, a minimal increase of about a quarter. What does that mean in terms of revenue? In the United States, the average American spends $3639 eating out each year, roughly $300 each month. Therefore, The City of Gardner would collect about $2.30 per person per month. Multiply it out and you have a 5 figure sum in the course of a year. Add the amount Gardner would collect in lodging tax revenue and it really could add up to enough to restore a supplemental paving budget. Who says quarters here and there can’t add up to a bundle of money?
The Gardner City Council is having an informal meeting on these items on 5-6-24 as well as reviewing the Gardner Zoning map for accuracy.
- Beautiful 5-4-24
Keep Gardner Beautiful Cleans Up City
On Saturday May 4, 2024, Keep Gardner Beautiful Volunteers led by Diane “Neon” Leblanc cleaned up trash and collected nips in the Chair City. Citizens met at the Gardner Transfer station to begin the cleanup and again there at noon. Local participating officials included Gardner Mayor Michael Nicholson, State Representative Jonathan Zlotnik, and City Councilor Calvin Brooks
According to Keep Gardner Beautiful, their were 70 bags of nips collected with 400 nips per bag. At 5 cents each for a total of 28,000 nips, a total of $1,400 was raised via a donation from Anthony’s Liquor Mart. The proceeds will benefit 2 year old Henry “Hank” Roy of Gardner who has a rare kidney disorder.
Diane Leblanc posted, “My profound gratitude for these incredible photos that captured the essence of the love and pride that these amazing volunteers spread throughout our community today – Neon”
Gardner Mayor Nicholson commented live from the transfer station on WGAW’s Saturday Hotline Radio program: “The Keep Gardner Beautiful Committee had a tremendous turnout at its new location over at the transfer station….almost a full dumpster of trash collected, several mattresses and other items of furniture that were left on the street.” The Mayor explained that a brand new storage container had been purchased to stay at the landfill. It will hold trash pickup devices and equipment.
- Airport 5-1-24
Gardner Airport Commission Holds Wingy Meeting
Various discussions were conducted in a sit-anywhere format with a huge amount of interesting information about significant airport progress. See Photo. Listen on any device. CLICK PLAY.
Some of the matters which came up at the meeting included: MassDOT offered to do a reconstruction of the main apron…”there’s no local share, no cost to the airport, no cost to the city.” Underruns from the runway project will be used to fund the AT&T survey. Fence repairs will be done by Rainmaker.
Various other aspects of ongoing airport work were discussed including requirements of the FAA with respect to the Gardner Airport Master Plan.
Recommendation was to maintain the runway length of 3,000 feet. It was stated that 3,400 feet is approximate for small aircraft. However, it was stated, “Just really achieving what you would need to achieve between actual pavement, runway safety areas, acquisition of easements, airspace easements, tree clearing, everything that would go along with that. There’s a lot of terrain issues already, you know, as far as instructions are concerned. So, it just, you know, it just doesn’t seem like feasible. It doesn’t seem feasible to recommend adding runway length.” Many other items related to the airport were discussed at the lengthy meeting.
- Gunshots 5-3-24
Gunshots on Sherman Street
In a Press Release from the Gardner Police Department on May 3, 2024, the Gardner PD referenced an incident on Sherman Street in Gardner which discovered bullet holes in a vehicle and a house. “Approximately 7 am this morning, the Gardner Police Department received 911 calls for what was believed to be gunshots in the area of 102 Sherman St. Officers were dispatched and located a total of 3 bullet holes in a nearby vehicle and siding of an adjacent house. There were no injuries involved in this incident and it is currently being investigated by the Gardner Police Department.” Press Release, CLICK HERE.
- Handle with Care
Handle with Care Conference in Gardner a Successful Cooperative Effort
May began with the 1st Annual Handle with Care Conference held at Gardner City Hall. Gardner PD stated, “Proud to say the 1st Annual Handle with Care Conference was a success! Our partnership with Heywood Hospital, the Montachusett Suicide Prevention Task Force, and our other collaborators helped promote this important school-community-based effort to support children exposed to trauma.” If you would like to learn more about the Handle with Care Initiative, click this link.
Worcester County District Attorney Joseph Early’s office provided further information, “It was an honor to attend the North Central – North Quabbin 1st Annual Handle with Care Conference yesterday at Gardner City Hall, hosted by Gardner Police Department, Heywood Hospital and the Montachusett Suicide Prevention Task Force. This event featured Keynote Speaker Professor Heather C. Forkey of UMass Chan Medical School, Sue from our Outreach Team, JBS International, Inc.’s Edward Jacoubs, Anna Maria College Professor Tara Rivera, Fitchburg State University Professor Kyle Moody and special guest Bill Gardiner of L.O.V.E Is The Answer. Thank you for a fantastic conference!”
The Handle with Care Collaborative Partners of North Central and North Quabbin Massachusetts is a lengthy list of schools, agencies, government, and non-profit including: Ashburnham-Westminster School District, Ashburnham Police Department, Athol Area YMCA, Athol Police Department, Athol-Royalston School District, Barre Police Department, Boys & Girls Club – Gardner, Leominster/Fitchburg, CAPS Collaborative (Ashburnham, Orange, Westminster), Clinical Support & Options, Gardner Police Department, Gardner Public Schools, Heywood Healthcare, Holy Family Academy, Mahar Regional School District, MOC Early Education, Mount Wachusett Community College, Narragansett Regional School District, North Quabbin Community Coalition, Northwestern County District Attorney, David E. Sullivan’s Office, Parent Professional Advocacy League, Petersham Police Department, Phillipston Police Department,Quabbin Regional School District, Royalston Police Department, Templeton Police Department, Orange Police Department, Westminster Police Department, Winchendon Police Department, Winchendon Public Schools, and Worcester County District Attorney, Joseph Early’s Office
- Update 5-3-24
Gardner Mayor Michael Nicholson Informs the Chair City in his Weekly Update
Gardner Mayor Michael Nicholson presented his update from the GETV studios this week. Listen on any device. CLICK PLAY.
May 7-10 is May Yard Waste Pickup (Mailer had a typo)
Events: Keep Gardner Beautiful Nip Hunt and Litter Cleanup is Saturday May 4th —- First Responder Day Saturday May 18th from 9am to 11am at Levi Heywood Memorial Library. —– 20th Annual Vietnam Veterans Memorial Ride Sunday May 26th —- Citywide Yard Sale is June 1st —- Gardner Relay for Life is June 7th and 8th.
FREE WI-fi is coming to Monument Park – goal is to have it up and running by Memorial Day.
There’s so much information in this week’s update it is best to listen to the entire update to get all the details.
- Facebook Commentary
Civil and Criminal Penalties – Commentary on Problem Facebook Posts
Gardner Magazine Publisher Werner Poegel with a commentary on problem Facebook posts. Listen on any device. CLICK PLAY.
In my opinion, if there are local Facebook posts which make false allegations or harmful statements without evidence it may cost admins or members civil liability. However, it doesn’t stop there. If you use social media platforms to track, monitor, or harass individuals causing them significant emotional distress that’s called cyberstalking, and that’s a crime. If you intentionally and repeatedly make posts aimed at causing distress or fear to another person including threats, abusive messages, making derogatory comments, or spreading false information with the intention of harm, that’s criminal harassment. If you conspire with others to do this and have discussions about how to “get this guy”, that’s a criminal conspiracy. And if you go after people who object to your posts or comments or perhaps as an admin suspend or remove a group member, that could be criminal witness intimidation. Think before you post.
- Budget FY25
$13,088,995.23 was cut from department requests. Proposal has a buffer of $4,284.51 between anticipated revenue and budgetary expenses. Otherwise, it is balanced.
It’s Only May First – And Gardner Mayor Nicholson Releases Fiscal Year 2025 Budget
Last December, Gardner Mayor Michael Nicholson informed the City Council that he would be providing much more detailed information for the Fiscal Year 2025 Budget and he has delivered with over 500 pages of detailed explanation. View the entire document in PDF format, CLICK HERE.
In a statement the Mayor said, “The goal of this format is to provide the most transparent information on the City’s current financial standing. I believe this new format will help provide the clearest pictures as to how the budget was constructed, where the money is coming from, and how it is being spent, both for your deliberations, as well as for our constituents to understand and see. Also included this year is a breakdown of the impact that each department has on the average tax bill for a single- family home in the City.”
The Mayor wrote, “The total of the FY2025 Budget as a balance of $88,013,663.74 (the money orders associated with the budget add up to $86,103,997.00 because they do not include the impact of the Cherry Sheet from the Commonwealth in the votes). This is inclusive of all General Fund, Cable, School, and Enterprise Funds.”
Each City Councilor is getting a copy of the following per the Mayor: “By Monday evening’s Council Meeting, every councilor will receive 1) a purple folder that has a copy of the budget in the previous format for ease of transition between formats, 2) a large white binder with the full information included on the website, 3) a large binder containing all of the City’s collective bargaining agreements and non-union personnel policies, and 4) a smaller binder color-coded per committee with the budget information for the departments for which each committee has oversight.”
- First Responders
For more about the following, click the respective links: Gardner Fire Department —- Gardner Police Department —– Levi Heywood Memorial Library.
First Responder Day Cooperative Effort Among Gardner Fire Department, Gardner Police Department, and the Levi Heywood Memorial Library
Gardner Magazine had the honor of speaking with 3 key individuals about this FREE event. First Responder Day at the Levi Heywood Memorial Library, Saturday May 18th from 9am to 11am. You can hear it all on any device. CLICK PLAY.
Gardner PD Lieutenant John Czasnowski, , Firefighter and S.A.F.E. Program Coordinator Sean Kelley, and Library Director Stephanie Young all spoke about the event.
Lieutenant Czasnowski let us know the plan is to have cruisers, a drone demonstration, the School Resource officer and an opportunity to see K-9 Rocky. There will be stickers for the kids.
Firefighter Sean Kelley spoke of the touch-a- truck event, the appearance of Sully the therapy dog, various vendors and games for the kids to play.
Library Director Stephanie Young was excited about the event and stated, “It’s so important that our community members, children and families get to meet our emergency personnel in a non-emergency situation. They can build connections and, you know, if there is an incident that people are involved in, they already have a connection and it helps during an emergency time.”
- Lithuanian 2024
2024 Saturday Night – 7-11pm Concerts at the Lithuanian Outing Association, 23 Airport Road, Gardner run from May through September.
Lithuanian Outing Association Concerts – 2024
Date: Band(s): May 25 AK Cody and the Wicked Northmen June 8 Dank Sinatra June 15 Mid Life Crisis June 29 Whiskey Johnson (Fireworks) July 13 The Angry Debutantes / Point the Finger July 20 Litz Blitz July 27 Matt Callahan / Sufferin Bastards August 10 The Boogie Brown Band August 24 Danny LeBlanc September 7 Lacquerhead September 28 Plead the 5th
- Relay Interview
Details on the Gardner Relay for Life – Interview with Sandra Long
Gardner Magazine had the honor of speaking with Relay for Life Committee member Sandra Long on April 30, 2024 about the upcoming June event. Listen on any Device, CLICK PLAY.
Sandra Long gave us a brief history of the Relay for Life and told us that this year’s goal is $185,000. Teams have already raised over $40,000. In our interview, Long explained what the Relay for Life is all about. For the 2024 Gardner Relay for Life official event page with all information, CLICK HERE.
Previous articles: Cancer Research —- First Lap 2024. —- 2023 Event —– 2022 Event
Relay for Life is June 7-8, 2024 at Mount Wachusett Community College, Gardner MA
- Yard 2024
Spring Yard Sale in Gardner MA
The date for the Spring City-Wide Yard Sale in Gardner MA has been announced as Saturday, June 1, 2024. More details as they become available.
- Disc Golf
Disc Golf Growing in Popularity Throughout the Commonwealth of MA – now at Bailey Brook Park
Gardner’s Bailey Brook Disc Golf Course is under construction and is described on Udisc.com as eventually having 8(9) holes. Gardner Firefighter Benjamin Tucker has uploaded photos of his projected design layout The complete layout is profiled here:
As the map in the graphic shows, Disc Golf is growing in popularity throughout the entire state. Darker pushpins are existing and lighter pushpins are courses under construction. So how do you play Disc Golf and what are the rules? DGA which claims to be the first in Disc Golf has a list of game Objectives and Disc Golf Rules. CLICK HERE.
There are some course protocols to know about such as remaining quiet while others are throwing and standing behind the player who is throwing. And just like regular golf, you should sometimes allow faster groups to play through. The course at Bailey Brook Park should be completed in plenty of time for many to enjoy it this Summer and Fall.
- Gardens 2024
Community Garden at St. Paul’s in Gardner MA Now has 27 Beds
Originally established 2 years ago with a $3000 grant from the Diocese, the Community Garden located at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church on Cross Street in Gardner almost doubled its capacity in 2023 and now has more than 2 dozen beds. Mayor Michael Nicholson posted on April 28th,”Big shout out to St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Gardner MA for starting up their community gardens again this year to support the Gardner CAC! They are adding even more raised beds to bring the total to 27! Thanks for all you do for the City and it’s residents! “. Fresh produce grown on the property is distributed to area families by the CAC.
The sign states “For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat” – Matthew 25:35. Distribution of food grown will occur through the Food Pantry of the Community Action Committee. The CAC serves disadvantaged individuals in Gardner, Ashburnham, Baldwinville, Hubbardston, Otter River, Templeton, and Westminster. Gardner CAC website, CLICK HERE. To donate to the CAC securely click here. St. Paul’s Episcopal Church website, CLICK HERE.
According to the Church, “”Many faces, one faith. We are a diverse group of believers – bankers, musicians, social workers, teachers, public servants, business owners, parents – united by our shared faith in a loving God.” Sunday services are at 10am
- PACC 2024
PACC Friday Cruise Nights – Bands for 2024
The PACC Cruise Nights on Fridays precede the 4 hour concerts which occur from 7pm to 11pm. Upcoming this season beginning on May 24th are Danny Leblanc, Whiskey Johnson, the Wingmen, The Big RanDom, Mr. Strickland, Gale County, Plead the Fifth, Ben Cote, Drama Queen, Barbwire Lace, a Night of Zeppelin, Dave Malouin, Mid Life Crisis, Boogie Brown Band, and more. Admission is FREE.
The Gardner Polish American Citizens Club is located at 171 Kendall Pond Road in Gardner. These FREE Concerts are open to the public.
The Lithuanian Outing Association will also have some FREE Concerts in 2024. We have a preliminary schedule which was posted in February 2024 and will update with the official schedule when it is available.
- Editorial – Facebook
Facebook Postings Can Lead to Huge Damage Awards – Even Loss of House
The hypothetical situation: A local Facebook Group makes egregious false statements suggesting falsely that individuals have committed crimes, even repeating similar false statements over a period of months in an attempt to make false claims sound legit. When confronted, it doubles down on the postings which only provides further evidence of actionable malice.
HUGE Awards for damages: The law does not look fondly on actions like this. The offense is Facebook defamation and it can lead to some huge jury awards or large settlements. A post made about a woman got her a settlement of $500,000. Details here: In another case, “venting” on Facebook led to a $65,000 defamation judgment and liability for 3rd party comments. Details Here: A $75,000 defamation award for false allegations against a female prison officer: Details Here. Many more examples are out there. It is not an amusing situation at all as unfortunately there are some who believe false accusations. However, it is clear, in the end it could cost a Facebook Admin his/her house and those who chime in might have to shell out thousands.
Bottom Line: Unless someone has actually been arrested for a crime and you have an official law enforcement Press Release to prove it, it’s never a good idea to use Facebook to accuse anyone of anything illegal. Gardner Magazine, for example, does not customarily publish the names of those arrested, the names of crime victims, or the names of accident victims. That way, for example, an innocent person is not victimized by an internet article which never goes away and a family does not have to relive a tragedy which keeps coming up with an internet search. We will publish an official Press Release as appropriate. Maintaining the dignity of individuals is important. Unfortunately today, many people are victimized by those getting a thrill out of getting the reactions of others by simply making things up. Fortunately, that thrill eventually costs them – big time!
- Fire 4-27-24
Gardner MA Fire Department Responds to Multi-acre Brush Fire
The Gardner Fire Department assisted with a 9+ acre brush fire in Ashburnham and a smaller brush fire on Acadia Road in Gardner, posting, “Group 3 Recall Off Route 12 in Ashburnham. Engine 3 and 11C1 responded to assist with a 9+ acre brush fire. Gardner Firefighters worked to contain the perimeter of the fire. While at this fire, other Gardner crews responded to a 1/2 acre brush fire on Acadia Rd. A full department recall was sounded for that fire.”
Readers please note: The Open Burn Season in the State of Massachusetts will end on April 30th.
- Purple Paws 4-27-24
Important Contact Information Telephone: (978) 699-0203 Website: Gardnerdvtaskforce.org Facebook Page, CLICK HERE Purple Paws Event Sheds Light on Domestic Violence
The Purple Paw Walk Held on April 27, 2024 was held to raise funds to support victims of domestic violence and their pets. Gardner Mayor Michael Nicholson read a Proclamation at the beginning of the event.
The Gardner Community Action Team posted, “We take great pride in supporting many local organizations that provide crucial services to Gardner residents. Voices of Truth, The Gardner Domestic Violence Taskforce, The Gardner Community Action Team and the City of Gardner worked together on putting this fundraiser on.”
Area residents brought their dogs and some were outfitted with costumes. The Gardner Police Department made a strong showing of support. K-9 Rocky was on hand. Various vendors displayed their wares. GCAT also posted, “We are happy that we had more participants than last year and hoping to grow this event next year.”
Bernice Richard previously stated The Purple Paws event is intended “to bring the understanding that we have a foster program called Purple Paws that we have developed in ways that we can help a victim when she is leaving her unsafe environment and she has pets.” Previous interview article with resource information, CLICK HERE.
- Gardner Music
2024 Gardner Summer Concert Series at Monument Park
The Season of music starts on Saturday June 22nd with Holdin’ Back and continues through August 24th. Admission is FREE for all concerts. Donations are accepted and sponsors are welcomed to help fund the fun.
All concerts are at Monument Park except for July 13th which will be at the Food Truck Festival near Gardner City Hall.
More information on the scheduled bands – Facebook or website links: Holdin’ Back (The 60’s) —- Mr. Strickland (Classic Rock) —- The Boothill Express Band (Country That Rocks!) —- Dave Malouin (Country, Oldies, Rock) —- Ashbrook Haynes (American Roots) —- Gold Dust Refugee (Tom Petty/Fleetwood Mac) —- The Remedy (“Music Cures All”) —- 4EverFab (Beatles) —- Jumpin’ Juba (Blues & Roots – Rock) —- The BIG RanDom (Classic Rock)
Nearby Communities and the Region
Templeton – Phillipston – Winchendon – Ashburnham – Westminster – Hubbardston
Most recent stories of nearby communities will be shown here. For more info, visit individual town page.
Area Communities
- Templeton Rotary
Templeton MA Rotary Project Pulls Ahead of Gardner
Templeton MA has announced major progress in its rotary project on May 14, 2024 as shown in the visual from the Templeton PD which posted, “TRAFFIC PATTERN CHANGE 05/14/2024 After two days of paving, the East Templeton Rotary Project has started to take form and will begin to enter the next phase of the project. Please note the layout, and traffic directions moving forward. Gardner Road (Route 101) will remained closed. Thank you!“
Completion of the Rotary Project in Gardner is expected to be this Fall.
Meanwhile, in Gardner, the work continues. Shown at right is construction and the concept illustration of what the finished project will look like.
CLICK IMAGE for larger view.
- Templeton Rotary Update
The Templeton Police Department released this statement:“-EAST TEMPLETON ROTARY UPDATE 05/06/2024- Starting on 5/6 and through 5/10 the milling will begin in East Templeton at the rotary project. There will be significant delays in traffic for Patriots Road (Route 2A), North Main Street, South Main Street and Gardner Road (Route 101). Closures/delays could be over ten minutes at a time. PLEASE AVOID AREA. PLEASE SHARE.”
- Winchendon 4-29
The Winchendon Board of Selectmen met on April 29, 2024. Listen on any device. CLICK PLAY.
- Westminster 2024
Results of May 2024 Westminster Elections
Complete Election Results, CLICK HERE.
Elected were: Michael Cooley, Select Board , Michael Popik – Board of Health, Donald Frigoletto – Board of Assessors 3 years, Caroline Albert – Board of Assessors 2 years, Tiffany Davis and Neepa Shah, Library Trustees 2 years, Michelle Miller Library Trustee 1 year, Christopher Mossman – Hager Park Commission 3 years, Amy Fantoni – Planning Board 3 years, Derrick Andrews – Planning Board 1 year, Brian Vincent – Cemetery Commission 3 years, Courtney Rose McGee – Regional School Committee 3 years,
May 2024 Westminster Sentinel Publication, CLICK HERE. Includes a huge amount of information about what’s going on in Westminster MA including the Westminster Farmers’ Market which starts up on May 10th. It will be every Friday from 3-6pm on Academy Hill.
- Ashburnham Election 2024
Winning election were: Moderator: Richard Cook Jr., Select Board 3 year: Phil Papoojian, Select Board 1 year: Leo Janssens, Planning Board 3 year: Marshall Dennis, Board of Health 3 year: Thomas Flanagan. Complete List of all results, CLICK HERE.
- Hubbardston Concerts
Hubbardston Concerts for Summer 2024
The Summer Concert Series has been announced: July 13th: High Powered Mutants, July 27th: The Big RanDom, August 10th: Ambient Sojourn Band.
Each concert is scheduled from 5-8pm with a rain date the next night.
Food vendors will be there. Fun Entertainment for kids, too.
Concerts are at Curtis Recreation Field at 24 Gardner Road in Hubbardston. Admission and parking is FREE.
- Hubbardston Truck
The Big Custom Brush Trucks In Hubbardston
from the Hubbardston Fire Department, “Truck 4 doing Truck 4 things yesterday in Ashburnham. We take great pride in our brush units here in Hubbardston. All of our brush trucks were custom built with the unique needs of our geography in mind, with the majority of the build work being done in house by our own members. Truck 4 is a government surplus military dump truck that we converted into an 800 gallon brush fighting machine that can go pretty much anywhere.”
The day before on April 27th, Hubbardston Fire posted, “A busy afternoon for north central MA Fire Departments. In the span of 30 minutes HFD responded to 3 emergencies. The on duty firefighters responded to a serious medical call requiring transport to UMass, Truck 4 was requested mutual aid to Winchendon Road in Ashburnham for a large brush fire and Engine 2 responded to Acadia Road in Gardner for a brush fire.”
- Westminster 4-28-24
From the Town of Westminster, “Water Main Break on Bathrick Road
The Westminster Department of Public Works is currently working to repair a water main break on Bathrick Road today – Sunday, April 28, 2024.The water main break is impacting water service on the following roads: Bathrick Road, Crestview Lane, Rebanna Road, South Ashburnham Road, State Road East
Theodore Drive, Warner Lane, West Hill Drive, Woodland Drive
Water service will be temporarily interrupted to allow the Town to repair the broken water main and return water service as soon as possible. The duration of the interruption of service will depend on the conditions encountered. Once the work has been performed, your water service will be restored. Please note that the water may contain air or be discolored after the water service is restored but should clear up after running the cold water tap for a short time period of time.Crews are working diligently to have the main repaired and water service returned as soon as possible, we appreciate your patience and cooperation and apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.
- Winchendon Project
Winchendon Receives Low Interest Loan for Water Main Project
Winchendon Town Manager Bill McKinney told us the State of Massachusetts has approved a low interest loan so that the Town of Winchendon can proceed with the $9.5 million water main project. Interest rate is low at about 2 percent and 17-19 percent of the loan is subject to forgiveness. (It is not a complete grant as a report published in another local publication suggests.) Listen on any device, CLICK PLAY.
Wyndonshire Renaissance Fair is this weekend Saturday April 27th and Sunday April 28th. Bill McKinney says a big crowd is expected. More information from the town of Winchendon website on the Wyndonshire Renaissance Fair
In other Winchendon News: In our last interview with Bill McKinney, he told us that the Carriage House Restaurant property had been sold and another restaurant was coming in. That restaurant will be El Toro, currently located in Fitchburg. Rather than adding Winchendon, they are actually moving their restaurant to Winchendon.
- Lahtinen 4-23-24
Documents in pdf format: May 4, 2024 Town Meeting Warrant – Special Town Meeting Warrant. Town of Westminster website, CLICK HERE.
Westminster Town Administrator Speaks on Various Matters Concerning the Town
Gardner Magazine had the honor of speaking with Westminster Town Administrator Stephanie Lahtinen on April 23, 22024. Lahtinen spoke about the annual Town Meeting taking place on May 4, 2024 at 10am. “This year it will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday due to a by-law change last year. …budget is about 52% town, 48% school for this year.”
Listen to the entire interview on any device. CLICK PLAY.
Town Administrator Lahtinen spoke about a 5% increase in health insurance premiums this year after having no increases in premiums since 2019. Lahtinen attributes this to a history of low claims. Westminster Town Hall employees work a 40 hour week over 4 days. (Hours are Monday 7am to 7pm and Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday 7:30am to 4:30pm. Town Hall is closed on Fridays.)
With respect to the well issue in town, “That was definitely a challenge at the outset. So, everyone became an expert in PFAS very, very quickly here and for the residents. And we built a very strong relationship with the Department of Environmental Protection that we hadn’t previously had. But it was very difficult at first, and it was a very challenging situation. But where we are now, I think, is from a much greater understanding what the origin point was.”
Lahtinen spoke of grants: “We’re at the end of a $27,000 community compact grant to do a compensation and classification plan study for all of our employees, which hasn’t been done since 2015. So those are good to update to make sure that you’re competitive and that your job descriptions match your duties, especially in a post-COVID world where a lot of things may have shifted and changed, and also to make sure that your salaries are competitive.” Other grants also impact the future of the community, “We also got $155,000 to update our master plan, which was completed in 2015. So we are currently seeking volunteers to serve on the master plan committee to update that master plan and set another 10-year vision for the town of Westminster. So that was another grant-funded item. We were actually very fortunate to receive an earmark from Kim Ferguson for $200,000 in economic development to improve our downtown area. We will actually have a new full-time town planner on staff within the next two weeks, so that will be one of their first undertakings is, you know, these master plan grant funding, this downtown revitalization earmark. We’ve got money to spend, and I can’t wait to have full-time staff to spend it.”
Lahtinen spoke of Westminster’s amenities. “Westminster has a lot to offer its residents and we are always trying to let people know all the different things that are going on the town of Westminster. .. a free summer recreation program for elementary aged children that we run this year I believe it’ll be it’s either five or six weeks through July and part of August so over at the Westminster Elementary School all morning five days a week it’s just a drop-off center for your kids and we run it for free for Westminster residents. We have a town beach we have with it has not only the town beach but you can fish and bring your kayak and dock your kayak there. There’s limitless hiking trails with Hager Park and at Crocker Pond. We’re lucky to abut the mountains so we’ve got that. It’s nice to be in the foothills of Wachusett. And then also all of the other outdoor activities we have to offer. the most popular Farmers Market in North Central Mass which is one of our our pride and joys that kicks off this Friday’s in May.”
- April – Winchendon
Recent Public Meetings in Winchendon MA include the Board of Selectmen of April 8th, Winchendon School Committee on April 11th and Hearing of April 2nd, and Winchendon Finance Committee of April 9th.
Listen on any device, CLICK PLAY.
Listen on any device, CLICK PLAY.
Listen on any device, CLICK PLAY.
Listen on any device, CLICK PLAY.
- Rietta Open
With almost 6 decades being open Sundays from April to November, Rietta Flea market opened for the season on Sunday April 14, 2024.
Hundreds of vendors treated thousands of bargain hunters to a huge vista of merchandise. The popular snack bar was open for reasonably priced delicious food and beverages. Smiles were abundant. Admission is FREE. Parking is FREE. And next Sunday (weather permitting) they do it all again.
For more information about Rietta Flea Market visit RiettaFleaMarket.com CLICK HERE.
- Boudreau 4-11-24
Nate Boudreau Speaks About Budget, Town Meeting Review, and Upcoming Town Meeting.
We spoke with Hubbardston Town Administrator Nate Boudreau on April 11, 2024, regarding the 2024 Hybrid Annual Town Meeting Review and Public Hearing April 16, 2024 at 6:30pm and the upcoming Town Meeting which will occur on June 4, 2024. We went over all of the items on the draft Town Meeting warrant and Boudreau spoke about this year’s budget challenges and challenges coming for the next fiscal year. Listen on any device. CLICK PLAY.
View Working Draft of Town Meeting Warrant. Get more information on the Town of Hubbardston website, CLICK HERE. There is also a special Town Meeting information page, CLICK HERE.
- McKinney 4-9-24
Visit the Town of Winchendon Website, CLICK HERE
More on the Winchendon Community Park and the Renaissance Fair spoken of in the interview, CLICK HERE.
An Interview with Winchendon Town Manager Bill McKinney – Budget, Business, and the Basics about the Toytown.
We had the honor of speaking with Winchendon Town Manager Bill McKinney on April 9, 2024. Listen to the interview on any device. CLICK PLAY.
McKinney spoke of the challenges Winchendon is having with its budget of about $35 million. “I put in the budget message that we’re able to cobble together some free cash and some remaining ARPA funds to get through Fiscal 25, but Fiscal 26 will require an override, which is why I want to let people know about it now….It’s always a tough ask trying to get more money, but it’s something that hopefully the town will go along with because obviously people enjoy the services that the town offers. They want the roads plowed. They want the roads paved. They want somebody to come if they need an emergency. They want someone to pick up the phone when they call town hall, or they want someone here if they come in with questions. We want to be able to provide all those services.”
McKinney spoke of opportunities for businesses interested in coming to Winchendon. “We’re working with our state partners as far as economic development. They’ve got some ideas. There are some different grants available.”
The Town Manager told us about the opportunities for local recreation including the Winchendon Amphitheater and the two day Renaissance Fair coming up at the end of April. And there’s a great season ahead: “We have several concerts coming up over the summer. We’ve got some movie nights, so we’ve got a lot of activities and a lot of reasons for people to come out and check out the amphitheater, and hopefully get something to eat while they’re in town.” There will also be a new restaurant opening up where the Carriage House was.
- Rietta Opening
Visit the Rietta Flea Market website, CLICK HERE.
Rietta Flea Market Opening delayed due to storm
Due to the early April storm, Rietta Flea Market has announced that the first day of the 2024 season will be Sunday, April 14, 2024.
Rietta Flea Market is located off Route 68 in Hubbardston, Massachusetts where it has operated successfully for many decades, celebrating a 50th anniversary in 2016.
Visit the Rietta Flea Market website, CLICK HERE.
- Lamontagne 4-2-24
Complete Roundabout Rendering, CLICK HERE.
Town Administrator Adam Lamontagne urges residents, both current and prospective, to email him via ALamontagne@templetonma.gov or via phone at (978) 894-2778 Town of Templeton Website
“Moving Mountains In Templeton” – An Interview with Adam Lamontagne
We spoke with Templeton Town Administrator Adam Lamontagne on April 2, 2024 sitting at a conference table in his office. Listen to the interview on any device, CLICK PLAY.
The Town of Templeton is juggling a number of complex projects at one time, many heading towards final completion. From demolishing buildings, repaving roads, creating a new roundabout, to focusing on a possible major bridge project, Adam speaks of the town’s efforts with pride and appreciation for the Templeton team.
We spoke extensively about budget issues. There’s currently a projected shortfall of about a half million dollars which will need to be addressed at Town Meeting.
If you’re interested in listening to the Templeton Select Board meeting of March 27, 2024, you can listen to it here on any device, CLICK PLAY.
Ongoing projects discussed included: 10 Pleasant Street – “We have a demolition revolving account that had to go through a special act of the legislature. Once we created that, we put in enough free cash into that revolving account where we’ve taken down, demolished 10 Pleasant Street. We actually have that out to bid right now. It should be coming in April 17th.” Scout Hall Project – going to completion. Other construction: “The State’s finished up the Rotary project, and we also have multiple bridges the state’s going to be working on.” Templeton was awarded over a million dollars in CDBG funds. “We’re going out to bid for School, Vernon, and Cottage Street in the Baldwinville section of town” Lamontagne spoke of working on a master plan for the Houghton Park project.
We spoke about the number of restaurants in Templeton: “A lot of these places are wonderful places to sit down, have a meal, talk with folks ”
Lamontagne spoke of the challenges of the Main Street Bridge Project: “The town voted to support all the design, and that’s getting completed. It’s going to take us all the way up to 100% design, state review, as well as getting bid-phase services to go out to bid. The challenge is, we don’t have the construction funding at this moment. So the people in town will have a question in front of them for whether or not to go above Proposition 2.5, it’s a debt exclusion, to repair the Main Street Bridge Project, Main Street Bridge for this project. And a lot of people say, well, what’s going to happen? What is it that’s going to take place? And they unlikely think, oh, well, let’s just use the number of bids came in, 3.7 million it comes to, roughly.” With 350k in debt payments dropping off in Fiscal Year 2025, Lamontagne is hoping that the Main Street Bridge Project could fit in after that. Lamontagne’s strategy is to used State Aid to decrease what is needed for the bond.
Lamontagne explained the strategy of replacing water mains proactively before the rest of the East Templeton Roundabout Project was done, “Because the last thing you want to do is have a beautiful rotary and then not have the infrastructure underneath.”
Outlook and Goals for 2024 include: “I would like to see this project completed, when I say this project, the Maple and School Street Neighborhood Improvements project completed, I would like to see the Baldwinville School Apartments get revitalized in that section and provide 54 units to folks in Baldwinville over there. I would like to see the Main Street Bridge repaired and then continue with our Chapter 90 projects.”
Thinking of relocating to Templeton? Because of Templeton Municipal Light, Templeton residents pay about half what others pay for electric.
- Ritter Dedication
Former Templeton Town Coordinator Ritter Honored
The Templeton Town Hall was dedicated on Wednesday, March 27, 2024 to the memory of Jeffrey Ritter. Ritter was a former town coordinator who passed away in 2014. The placque in honor of Ritter honors the man who is credited with leading the effort to move Templeton town offices into the building which was the East Templeton Elementary School for 100 years until it closed in 2011.
- Ashburnham Survey
Ashburnham is conducting a Downtown Inititiative: Wayfinding and Branding Survey
The Town of Ashburnham with the assistance of the Massachusetts Downtown Initiative (MDI), is working on branding the Downtown and creating a distinct visual identity for Main Street and the Village Center. These design elements will be incorporated into a revamped wayfinding system throughout Downtown. For this project we have joined forces with two consulting teams, Innes Associates and LANDAU Design+Technology..
The Town sponsored a workshop on March 26, 2024 to discuss options for updating wayfinding signage throughout the Downtown. This survey is designed to get your input on these 5 types of wayfinding signage: Town Recognition, Downtown Recreational, Town Destination, Downtown Recognition, and Destination Directional. For much more information and to take the survey, CLICK HERE.
- Hubbardston FY25
The Town of Hubbardston Fiscal Year 2025 Budget is available for review here. CLICK HERE.
From the Town of Hubbardston “Developing an annual budget is a complex process that involves making difficult tradeoffs and prioritizing competing needs with limited resources. Hubbardston is fortunate to have an Open Town Meeting governance system that empowers all registered voters to directly participate in this process and exercise their decision-making authority. By engaging in the budget development process, citizens can help shape the future of their community and ensure that tax dollars are spent in a manner that aligns with the communities values and goals.”
- Westminster 4-4-24
Welcome to Westminster Event
The Town of Westminster is having a “Welcome to Westminster” event on Thursday April 4, 2024 at the Forbush Memorial Library at 118 Main Street. It’s an opportunity to meet town leadership, find out what’s happening in the community, and check out various activities and places to explore.
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Gardner MA is a growing City with incredible upside potential. Gardner Magazine’s Go Forward with Gardner series gives a voice to those who will influence Gardner Going Forward. CLICK for Complete page.
- Community Spotlight
Spotlight on Communities Greater Gardner MA
Gardner MA is known as the Chair City, and the other communities covered by Gardner Magazine all have something special: Ashburnham– Town of Lakes, Ashby – smallest town, Athol-the Tool Town, Barre – Town of Patriots, Gardner – The Chair City, Hardwick – Oldest Fair, Hubbardston -1015 above sea level, New Salem – Home of Quabbin Reservoir, Oakham – Coldbrook Springs, Orange – Home of Peace Statue, Petersham – Conservation, Phillipston – Historic Town Center, Princeton – Mt. Wachusett, Royalston – Forests and Falls, Rutland – Geographic Center of MA, Templeton – Town of 4 Villages, Warwick – Mt. Grace & Forest, Westminster – Historic Places, Winchendon – the Toy Town.
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Check out the pages on Gardner Magazine including Local Area Attractions, the Moving to the Area page, and Fun Photo Galleries. Kiddingly we say, ,Don’t play the fun games too long. Let us know what you like and what you’d like to see on Gardner Magazine.
- Public Meetings
Public Meetings Calendars
Gardner Magazine has a new page highlighting Public Meetings Calendars. Most communities list all upcoming meetings in handy formats. Some communities either have few meetings or are not as comprehensive. Being aware of Public Meetings is a great way to be involved in your community.
- Event Machine
Easily find Greater Gardner Events
Click on the name of a town for an EASY Google Events Search for events taking place in that community. ASHBURNHAM – ASHBY – ATHOL – BARRE – GARDNER – HARDWICK – HUBBARDSTON – NEW SALEM – OAKHAM – ORANGE – PETERSHAM – PHILLIPSTON – PRINCETON – ROYALSTON – RUTLAND – TEMPLETON – WARWICK – WESTMINSTER – WINCHENDON. A great tool to quickly find out what’s going on in the Greater Gardner region.
Massachusetts News This Week
Greater Gardner MA News Extras
- Gardner Tops 21K
Gardner MA Population Statistics
According to the U.S. Census, Gardner has a population of 21,287. Median Household Income is about $50,000. Those with a Bachelor’s Degree or higher is close to 1 in 5. More than half of the population is employed. 98% have health care coverage. There’s 9,411 total housing units with 691 vacant according to the Census Bureau. Gardner’s median estimated age of 41 is slightly above the median age in Massachusetts. One statistic to note: Average Gardner commute time is just under ½ hr. so there’s room for more local employers. For the complete census data, click here.
- Visit Gardner
Visit Downtown Gardner Video Released
To celebrate a great place to shop, Gardner Magazine has released a Downtown Gardner MA video. Watch it in full HD. CLICK HERE.
- Expanded News
Gardner Magazine news pages are generally updated twice per day and contain about 10 news stories per page. Let us know how we are doing. Contact Us.
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- Dear Abby: Are paper towels tacky in the bathroom?by Abigail Van Buren on May 17, 2024 at 4:01 am
Hubby says paper towels are only for the kitchen and look tacky in a powder room. Who's right?
- Red Sox manager feels Rays mound visit situation was mishandled, umpire offers explanationby Mac Cerullo on May 17, 2024 at 3:45 am
After the ninth inning of Thursday's loss was thrown into chaos, Alex Cora expressed frustration with how the Rays' mound visit situation was handled. The umpires offered their own explanation as well.
- Red Sox lose 7-5 to Rays after wild, controversial ninth inningby Mac Cerullo on May 17, 2024 at 2:23 am
The Red Sox erased a four-run deficit, but weren't able to rally a second time after Kenley Jansen allowed two runs in the ninth.
- Newton North turns boys volleyball tables on Natick in 3-0 winby Tom Mulherin on May 17, 2024 at 12:52 am
"I think we could have played a little bit better, but we – for the most part – we came out and we kind of handled business.” Newton North coach Nile Fox
- Twins lead Westwood lacrosse past Medfield girlsby Brendan Connelly on May 16, 2024 at 11:33 pm
WESTWOOD — Junior twin sisters Emilie (eight goals) and Charlotte DeMaio (four goals) combined to propel Westwood to a wild 16-15 lacrosse victory Thursday over one of the state’s best — Medfield. “It means everything,” Emilie said afterward. “I think we really needed this big win. We’ve been needing the confidence recently. I think this
- Mass Appeal: Hip Hideawayby Bailey Allen on May 17, 2024 at 2:50 am
There’s a new sleek speakeasy in the Back Bay where you can travel back in time. But to find the Blind Duck, you need to...
- Severe storms kill at least 4 in Houston, cause widespread power outages and risk of tornadoesby Bailey Allen on May 17, 2024 at 2:17 am
HOUSTON (AP) — Severe thunderstorms pummeled southeastern Texas on Thursday for the second time this month, killing at least four people, blowing out windows in...
- Two swans killed with ‘projectile’ in Westford woods; police investigatingby Bailey Allen on May 17, 2024 at 1:55 am
Two swans were found dead in a wooded area in Westford on Tuesday, and officials believe a “projectile” was used to kill the birds. The...
- 4-year-old child bitten by rabid fox in Hollis, NH; animal euthanizedby Bailey Allen on May 17, 2024 at 1:08 am
A rabid fox bit a 4-year-old girl Tuesday in Hollis, N.H., before police euthanized the sick animal on scene — a decision that garnered some...
- Manchester, NH daycare owner and 3 employees accused of lacing food with melatoninby Dakota Antelman on May 16, 2024 at 4:54 pm
A Manchester daycare owner and three of her employees are facing charges after authorities found melatonin laced into children’s food without the children’s parents’ knowledge...
In-Depth Massachusetts News Stories
Massachusetts – NECN The latest news from around the state
- Taunton police seek missing manon May 16, 2024 at 9:37 pm
Police in Taunton, Massachusetts, are looking for a missing man who was last seen Thursday afternoon. Authorities say 66-year-old Thomas Cassidy walked away from a day program on Church Green around 1:45 p.m. While Cassidy lives in the city’s Whittenton neighborhood, police say he is believed to have early signs of dementia and is unlikely to find his way home. When he was last seen, Cassidy was wearing a striped polo shirt, a dark green jacket and blue jeans. Police did not give a physical description of Cassidy, but released a photo of him. Police note that Cassidy frequents the Taunton Green, Joe’s Diner and St. Mary’s Church. He has also previously lived in Attleborough. Anyone with information is asked to call 508-823-5000.
- Family fighting possible parole of man who killed 15-year-old girl in Grovelandby Eli Rosenberg and Michael Rosenfield on May 16, 2024 at 8:37 pm
The family of a teenage girl who was beaten to death more than 30 years ago in Groveland, Massachusetts, is fighting against her killer’s pursuit of parole. Richard Baldwin was convicted in the murder of 15-year-old Beth Brodie after he attacked her with a baseball bat in 1992. As Baldwin walked into his parole hearing on Thursday afternoon, a sea of public was there in support of Brodie. “To actually see him in person, it tears at you pretty good,” said Sean Aylward, Brodie’s brother. Baldwin was sentenced to life in prison without parole, but a later ruling by the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court ruled juvenile offenders, like Baldwin, must be offered a chance at parole. “I understand what I did was unforgivable, and in 31 years since my crime, I have not been able to forgive myself, and I am profoundly sorry for what I did to Beth and her family,” Baldwin told the parole board. During the hearing, Baldwin told the commissioners he was drunk and high on Xanax when he attacked Baldwin, only killing her, he said, because he felt bad she was in pain. He added that he was mad she wouldn’t return a ring he had given her when they were previously dating. “To try to make it seem like it was her fault for not running away … or not being scared, to hell with him, straight to hell with him for everything,” Aylward said. The hourslong hearing was tense. Baldwin did not testify during his original hearing and did not seek parole when he was eligible in 2014 or 2019. This was the first chance Brodie’s family had heard straight from him since that day. “We are here to speak for Beth today and make sure she is remembered and make sure we can return justice to her, and I really don’t care what he has to say or any of his defenses or accomplishments she was never able to make,” Aylward said. “It is all about her today. Even though it is his hearing, we are all about justice for Beth.” Her father, Stephen Brodie, told NBC10 Boston Wednesday that the possibility of Baldwin being paroled is upsetting. “[If] he gets out of jail, he can continue the rest of his life,” he said. “Get married, have kids. She was denied all of that. He should never have a chance to enjoy the rest of his life.” Brodie’s family says the parole board did not make any decisions on Thursday, and told the family most decisions take between six weeks and six months.
- Quincy diner that has been around since the 1940s is closing after dispute with landlordby Boston Restaurant Talk on May 16, 2024 at 2:38 pm
[This story first appeared on Boston Restaurant Talk.] A diner just south of Boston that has been around since the 1940s is closing its doors. According to multiple sources, the Wheelhouse Diner in North Quincy is shutting down, with the news coming on the heels of a dispute between restaurant owner LeeAnn Vieira McDonough and the new landlord of the property; McDonough says the following in a Facebook post: So today was our last court date. I know many people wanted me to fight to stay here as long as possible and I understand this place means a lot to a great number of people. However, I have decided to close June 30th. The reality of the situation is the longer I fight this the further down the road I am pushing off the inevitable. In the meantime, the condition of the building being 80 years old is deteriorating….It is a money pit that I didn’t mind spending money on when I was in it for the long haul. However, any additional money spent is now debt that I will never recover. McDonough does hint in the note that she is looking to open a restaurant in a new location, though it isn’t known if it would be another version of the Wheelhouse Diner (in the post, she states that “I do plan on moving on. You will see me again in a new location”). An article in the Patriot Ledger mentions that Ciahua Chen, who is principal of Hancock Realty Trust LLC, bought the property early last year and has been attempting to evict McDonough since last October with the pans being to put up a multistory structure with a diner on the ground floor, based on information from Helen Shiner of Shiner Group Realtors in Quincy. (Construction wouldn’t start for three to five years.) The address for the Wheelhouse Diner in North Quincy is 453 Hancock street, Quincy, MA, 02171. Its website is at https://www.wheelhousediner.com/ [A related post from our sister site (Boston’s Hidden Restaurants): List of Restaurant Closings and Openings in the Boston Area] Please help keep Boston Restaurant Talk and Boston’s Hidden Restaurants going by making a one-time contribution or via a monthly subscription. Thanks! (Donations are non-deductible.)
- Steward outlines process to sell, auction hospitalsby Colin A. Young on May 16, 2024 at 2:31 pm
Attorneys for Steward Health Care want a federal judge to bless the company’s proposed process for selling or auctioning its 31 hospitals, including eight in Massachusetts, over the next seven weeks. A late Wednesday night filing in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court case that started last week proposes “global bidding and auction procedures” to govern the sale of Steward’s hospitals and its physician network, Stewardship Health. If Judge Christopher Lopez approves the company’s motion, bids for Steward’s Massachusetts hospitals (and hospitals in other states aside from Florida) would be due June 24 and sale hearings would be held July 2. A hearing on the motion is planned for June 3 at 2 p.m. Steward’s lawyers said the proposed sale process is “designed to continue to promote a competitive and robust bidding process, while allowing the Debtors to implement sale transactions on an expedited basis.” Gov. Maura Healey, Attorney General Andrea Campbell and other state leaders want Steward out of Massachusetts, but the company has not secured buyers for its Bay State hospitals in the months since its financial predicament came to light. Steward began marketing some of its hospitals in January, relying on the investment bank Cain Brothers to execute a strategy with the goal of “continuing critical operations at the Debtors’ core Hospitals while maximizing value by selling certain non-core Hospitals, including the Debtors’ Hospitals in Arizona, Arkansas, Louisiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Southern Massachusetts.” Leerink Partners was tapped in February to market Steward’s “Northern Massachusetts” hospitals. By the time Steward filed for bankruptcy on May 6, Cain had contacted 179 potential buyers and Leerink had contacted 80 potential buyers, including for-profit and not-for-profit organizations, the company said. Steward’s lawyers said the company “received numerous indications of interest for their Hospitals” before filing for bankruptcy, but also that it expects more potential bidders to become aware of the sale through the bankruptcy proceeding, “thus driving more interest in the Hospitals.” Lawyers for Steward said the company has “received attractive indications of interest from multiple potential buyers for its Southern Massachusetts and Arizona hospital operations” and also is “in discussions with various third-parties interested in purchasing and operating the Debtors’ hospitals in Northern Massachusetts, as well as with state officials and regulators to facilitate the transition of such hospitals to new operators.” The company’s lawyers and Massachusetts state officials have acknowledged that selling the hospitals could be difficult thanks to the sale-leaseback transaction that saw Medical Properties Trust (MPT) buy the land beneath Steward’s hospitals in 2016. In Wednesday night’s filing, Steward confirmed that “substantially all” of its hospital operations are subject to master leases with MPT that “are not severable as to any particular property absent the consent of the applicable MPT Lessor(s).” The company said it “intend[s]to solicit Bids for the Debtors’ operations separately from real estate” and that bidders could “indicate the proposed treatment of such real property in their bid.” Last week, a lawyer for Steward told the bankruptcy court that the company faces a June 25 deadline to auction its hospitals in Massachusetts and other states except for Florida under the terms of a loan it got from its landlord, MPT, worth up to $300 million. But he also said that timeline was “not feasible.” The company’s Wednesday night filing said that “[i]t cannot be overemphasized that time is of the essence” in the sale process given that Steward’s ability to keep its hospitals open is contingent on the loan (also referred to as debtor-in-possession or DIP financing) from MPT. “Access to the DIP Facility is critical to the Debtors’ ability to continue their operations and manage their bankruptcy estates through the conclusion of the sale process. Failure to adhere to the Milestones could jeopardize the Debtors’ access to cash under the DIP Facility and, in turn, compromise the Debtors’ chapter 11 strategy and ability to maximize recoveries for creditors,” Steward’s filing said. “In light of the foregoing, the Debtors believe that the proposed timeline is both reasonable and necessary under the circumstances of these chapter 11 cases.” On Wednesday, Public Health Commissioner Robbie Goldstein raised the same topic when he cautioned that patient-sourced revenue would drop if people stopped seeking care at Steward facilities and the maximum of $300 million in DIP financing Steward received from its landlord to keep its hospitals open during the bankruptcy case would dry up sooner. “The question that is outstanding for many of us is just that … knowledge that $300 million is a set dollar amount, and hospitals can be expensive to operate. And if clinical volume decreases and the hospital’s clinical revenue will decrease, and therefore the $300 million will go faster. The bankruptcy process provides us transparency, and will allow us to understand how quickly those dollars are being spent, how those dollars are being spent, and help us think through a plan of what happens at the end,” the commissioner said Wednesday. Steward’s lawyers also fired back at Campbell’s office, which was critical of the sale process Steward undertook before its bankruptcy in a filing last week, saying that “[a]s with all things Steward, this too was horribly mismanaged.” “Yet notwithstanding that there are experienced professionals overseeing and leading the process, certain parties, including the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, have elected to lodge completely unsubstantiated criticisms about the Debtors’ sale process,” Steward’s lawyers wrote. “Although frustration with the Debtors’ financial circumstances and the need to commence these chapter 11 cases is understandable, filing unfounded and unsubstantiated pleadings at a time when a team of experienced and independent professionals and directors have been and are continuing to run a process (and who have managed similar processes across multiple venues in a myriad of complex chapter 11 cases) that will benefit all stakeholders, is neither appropriate nor will it be tolerated by the Debtors.” Campbell’s office said that the Executive Office of Health and Human Services here was informed by potential buyers “that they were being excluded from participating and the separate processes made it difficult for any single bidder to bid for all of the hospitals.” Steward’s latest filing contended that the company “encouraged bids from all interested parties and did not exclude any parties from the process, nor preclude any potential transaction structure.” Massachusetts was the only state that had its officials (the attorney general’s office and the Executive Office of Health and Human Services) listed as “interested parties” in Steward’s bankruptcy case until Tuesday, when the Texas Health and Human Services Commission filed an appearance in the case. Officials in other states are beginning to pay closer attention to the floundering health system as well. On Friday, Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes announced that she was launching an investigation into the circumstances leading up to Steward’s bankruptcy filing and is considering intervening in the court proceeding “due to its potential negative effects on Arizona patients, providers, healthcare workers, and vendors.” “Arizonans deserve to know more about the circumstances that led to Steward’s bankruptcy filing. I am deeply concerned about the potential impact this could have on Arizona patients and medical providers,” Mayes said in a statement. “No matter who ultimately ends up owning and operating these facilities, I am committed to ensuring that no Arizonan is harmed by this bankruptcy, and I will fight to ensure that these hospitals remain open at all times to care for patients without any degradation of service.” Steward operates four hospitals and numerous medical practices in Arizona. Mayes’ office said the Democrat “will also fight to ensure that prospective buyers do not take advantage of Steward’s bankruptcy to acquire hospitals or medical practices when those buyers would otherwise be barred from acquiring them due to the antitrust laws.” In Massachusetts, Steward operates St. Elizabeth’s in Brighton, Carney Hospital in Dorchester, Good Samaritan Medical Center in Brockton, Holy Family Hospital in Methuen and Haverhill Hospital in Haverhill, Morton Hospital in Taunton, Nashoba Valley Medical Center in Ayer, Norwood Hospital, and St. Anne’s in Fall River. More on Steward Health Care Boston Business Journal May 7 What's next in the Steward Health Care bankruptcy? Steward Health Care May 8 Steward Health Care says it is selling the 30+ hospitals it operates nationwide
- Amazon's ‘net-zero' Seaport tower first to use Somerville startup's low-carbon cementby Greg Ryan on May 16, 2024 at 2:24 pm
Four years after it was founded, Somerville startup Sublime Systems has the first commercial application of its low-carbon cement: Boston’s largest “net-zero” building, the new Amazon.com Inc. tower that’s going up in the Seaport District. Contractors for WS Development poured concrete that contained roughly three tons of Sublime cement at One Boston Wharf Road last week. Amazon has leased the 17-story tower, which is expected to open later this year, to complement another tower next door that it opened in 2022. More on this story from Boston Business Journal
National News
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- Justice Alito's home flew flag upside down after Trump's 'Stop the Steal' claims, report saysby Lindsay Whitehurst on May 17, 2024 at 1:53 am
An upside-down American flag, a symbol associated with former President Donald Trump's false claims of election fraud, was displayed outside the home of Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito in January 2021, The New York Times reported Thursday.
- Kim Jong-un's sister denies North Korea has supplied weapons to Russia: 'The most absurd paradox'by Hyung-Jin Kim on May 17, 2024 at 12:58 am
The influential sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un again denied Friday that her country has exported any weapons to Russia, as she labeled outside speculation on North Korea-Russian arms dealings as "the most absurd paradox."
- Every WNBA team to begin using charter flights by May 21on May 16, 2024 at 10:41 pm
Every WNBA team will start using charter flights to travel to games by May 21.
- Sailor killed in Pearl Harbor attack finally identified, laid to rest at Arlington National Cemeteryby Mike Glenn on May 16, 2024 at 10:22 pm
U.S. Navy veteran Frank Hryniewicz was buried with full military honors Thursday at Arlington National Cemetery, more than 80 years after the Massachusetts native was killed when Japan launched its Dec. 7, 1941, attack on the Pearl Harbor naval base in Hawaii.
- Trump: My only crime was beating Hillary Clintonby Tom Howell Jr. on May 16, 2024 at 10:08 pm
Former President Donald Trump relished a "very interesting day" after his defense team roughed up Michael Cohen, the star witness in the hush money case against the presumptive GOP nominee.
NPR News
NPR Topics: News NPR news, audio, and podcasts. Coverage of breaking stories, national and world news, politics, business, science, technology, and extended coverage of major national and world events.
- Arrests at the U.S. border fall in April, bucking usual spring increaseby The Associated Press on May 16, 2024 at 11:14 pm
U.S. officials have largely attributed the decline to more enforcement in Mexico, including in yards where migrants are known to board freight trains.
- Biden ending new leases in America's top coal regionby Kirk Siegler on May 16, 2024 at 8:20 pm
Citing climate change, federal land managers are moving to end new leasing for coal in the country's top producing region.
- The Dow Jones hits 40,000 for the first time. What to know about this major milestoneby Rafael Nam on May 16, 2024 at 8:15 pm
Stock markets received a boost from new data showing inflation is easing. Lower inflation has raised hopes about the U.S. economy — but there are still a lot of unknowns.
- 1,500 college applicants thought they were accepted. They soon learned it was an errorby Jonathan Franklin on May 16, 2024 at 7:24 pm
Georgia State University says the students were not sent an official acceptance letter but "communication" from a department welcoming those who intend to major in a specific academic area.
- How Does Israel's Military Investigate Itself?by Rob Schmitz on May 16, 2024 at 7:04 pm
While Israel's government has strongly rejected the idea that the International Criminal Court could prosecute Israeli's accused of war crimes in Gaza, many in Israel say the military doesn't do an adequate job holding it's own soldiers accountable. Our correspondent looks into how the Israeli military polices itself. For more coverage of all sides of this conflict, go to npr.org/mideastupdates
North County MA News
- Editorial: Hold accountable drivers who ignore school bus stop signsby Editorial on May 17, 2024 at 4:23 am
One of the most critical rules of the road concerns the safety of schoolchildren and the risk posed when motorists ignore a school bus stop sign and that flashing light warning. As previously reported, many of the state’s police departments have posted notices on social media about the consequences of not stopping for school buses.
- Community Church of Pepperell welcomes interim ministerby Cheryl A. Cuddahy on May 17, 2024 at 4:12 am
PEPPERELL — Members of The Community Church of Pepperell were delighted to welcome Rev. Dr. Sheila Rubdi, as Interim Minister, beginning April 1. Rubdi comes to Pepperell with 36 years of ministry experience serving churches in Vermont, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts, and five years of Intentional Interim Ministry at churches on Cape Cod. In 1987,
- Local roundup: Bernardians roll past Fitchburgby Staff Report on May 17, 2024 at 12:36 am
The St. Bernard’s girls lacrosse team took care of business against a cross-town foe on Thursday. The Bernardians had no problem dispatching Fitchburg High, winning 18-2 at Game On Fitchburg. The win lifts St. Bernard’s to 6-7 on the season, while the Red Raiders drop to 0-15. Chelmsford 14, Nashoba 5: The Wolves fall to
- Recipe: Steven Raichlen’s Italian-inspired Grilled Artichokesby Kate Bradshaw on May 16, 2024 at 8:35 pm
This artichoke recipe was inspired by grilling expert and cookbook author Steven Raichlen's travels in Cagliari, Sardinia.
- Biden overrules FEMA, approves flood reliefby Colin A. Young on May 16, 2024 at 8:32 pm
President Joe Biden overturned a Federal Emergency Management Agency denial of a major disaster declaration for the strong storms that flooded parts of Massachusetts in September, though the new federal action appears to still fall short of what Gov. Maura Healey had sought.The White House announced late Wednesday that Biden had determined “that a major
Northeast MA News
- Editorial: Hold accountable drivers who ignore school bus stop signsby Editorial on May 17, 2024 at 4:23 am
One of the most critical rules of the road concerns the safety of schoolchildren and the risk posed when motorists ignore a school bus stop sign and that flashing light warning.As previously reported, many of the state’s police departments have posted notices on social media about the consequences of not stopping for school buses.Aside from
- Thursday’s high school roundup: Nashoba Tech girls lacrosse team nets 12th win to set program recordby Staff Report on May 17, 2024 at 1:58 am
The Nashoba Tech girls lacrosse team did more Thursday afternoon than just defeat Whittier, 16-3, in dominating fashion. The Vikings (12-4) established a program record for a wins in a season.
- Colleges: Dracut’s Timothy Picard receives another golf honorby Staff Report on May 17, 2024 at 1:35 am
Bentley University placed a Northeast-10 Conference-high two players on the 2024 Division II PING All-East Region team with senior Timothy Picard (Dracut) and junior Evan Desjardins (Salem, N.H./Salem HS) earning the recognition from the Golf Coaches Association of America.
- Recipe: Steven Raichlen’s Italian-inspired Grilled Artichokesby Kate Bradshaw on May 16, 2024 at 8:35 pm
This artichoke recipe was inspired by grilling expert and cookbook author Steven Raichlen's travels in Cagliari, Sardinia.
- Men accused of threatening to rob Tewksbury resident at gunpointby Aaron Curtis on May 16, 2024 at 8:32 pm
TEWKSBURY — Allegations of threats made against the life of a Tewksbury man via phone and video calls led to the arrest of two men and the seizure of a 9mm handgun.
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