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Coggshall Park Crosswalk Engineering Study Results - Petition 195-18

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🌲🌳🚶‍♀️🚶‍♂️🚕 The results from the Engineering Study for our petition 195-18 for the Coggshall Park crosswalk across Electric Ave to Drake Road is complete and deemed to be safely accommodated. 
📃 Summary of Results: "It is TEC's (The Engineering Corp) assessment that a pedestrian crossing is safely accommodated at this location based on the maximum speeds allowable to maintain sufficient stopping sight distance along the Electric Avenue approaches. It is recommended that the crossing is reconstructed to include ADA/AAB compliant ramps and advanced warning signage, as necessary." 
🎨 Rendering depicts approx location 😉

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Small Business Saturday 2018

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Our Small Business Saturday Event was a nice success! The Sentinel covered the event, and we heard good things from the local businesses.

Nearly 30 businesses will participate in Small Business Saturday this weekend to encourage people to buy local and to kick of the holiday shopping season.

See the event here for all the business promotions: https://www.facebook.com/events/198313224400937/

23 Gift Ideas for Shop Small! Shop Fitchburg. Nov 24, 2018 
Let's show our support our #Fitchburg small businesses on Saturday November 24th for #smallbusinesssaturday. 
-->See the event link above for more details on the deals:

1. Exercise Class Gift Certificates at Studio Q ( Fitchburg Mass )
2. Art Class Gift Certificates at Art on the Rocks, Fitchburg
3. Calendars, Fitchburg & beyond photo prints, Photo session gift certificates at Ashley Green Photography 
3. Personalized Wood gifts at RusticCraft 
4. Wood Gifts & Solid Wood Furntiture at Wilbur Davis Studios
5. Supplements & fitness gear at Nutrishop Fitchburg 
6. An experience Gift Certificate for Curious Escape Rooms 
7. Art Gifts, prints, sculpture & more at Gallery Sitka West
8. Musical Instruments and Gift certificates for lessons at Eddy's Music
9. Custom Journals at Pen & Anvil Press
10. Gift Certificate to join ILoveKickboxing
11. A fun Saturday out at Putnam Street Lanes Fitchburg
12. Smoking Accessories at Higher Standards Smoke Shop
13. Unique gifts for the home at Windmill Florist & Susan Bates Home and Garden
14. Skateboards and accessories at Acid Reign Skateboard Company
15. Gifts for the Furbabies at Fitchburg Preppy Pet
16. Fitchburg paintings and more at The Boulder Art Gallery
17. Clothes / Shoes at Urban Flow La Moda
18. $99 for a year membership to the new Global 24
19. Plant gifts and beyond at debonis & davin florist inc.
20. Coffee lovers gifts at Strong Style Coffee
21. Remote Control Cars and more at R/C Excitement, Inc 
22.5 Fitchburg themed gifts and more at Mill No. 3 Farmstand
22. Candles, Smoking & vaping accessories at Rebel Smoke
23. Tattoos, piercings and unique artwork gifts at Red House Irons


Let's show our support our #Fitchburg small businesses. Saturday November 24th is the official #smallbusinesssaturday.

We'll use this event to promote #shoplocal #shopfitchburg with events, specials and info on our own city's small business!
Click 'going' on the event for business updates.

Check here for a list with Fitchburg Small Business specials.
*note to check with local businesses for complete info.
*If you are a small business with a special...let us know!
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Studio Q ( Fitchburg Mass ) 509 Electric Ave, Fitchburg
Open House for Small Business Saturday Weekend with Free Classes on Saturday and Sunday! See Studio Q FB page/event for details!
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Art on the Rocks, Fitchburg 76 Franklin Rd, Fitchburg
Follow art on the rocks on Facebook for small business Saturday gift card deals!
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Ashley Green Photography online: www.ashleygreenphoto.com
Coupon code ETSYCYBER2018 good for 15% off my entire shop Nov 20-26, working on something separate for Small Biz Saturday See etsy shop here ---> www.etsy.com/shop/ashleygreenphoto
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RusticCraft online: www.rusticcraftdesigns.com
To celebrate Small Business Saturday... RusticCraft is offering a 10% off coupon code. Use the code SHOPSMALL in the cart screen to save 10% on your order Saturday & Sunday! Or click this link:
https://www.etsy.com/shop/rusticcraftdesign?coupon=SHOPSMALL
Handcrafted and hand engraved personalized wood gifts made in @Fitchburgmass
**For pickup orders in the Fitchburg area, we will refund shipping costs
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Wilbur Davis Studios online: www.wilburdavisstudios.com
5% off and free shipping/delivery on wilburdavisstudios.com
Use coupon code SHOPSMALL to save 5% off your order on Saturday and Sunday!
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Nutrishop Fitchburg 18 John Fitch Hwy, Fitchburg
Participating in #smallbusinesssaturday with a 20% off promotion all day on any non-sale purchase at Nutrishop! 
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Curious Escape Rooms 359 Main St, Fitchburg
Give the gift of adventure and puzzle solving with friends, family, or for team building! (Designed for adults. Players must be 12 years old and older)
Currently on Exhibition: The Dollhouse & The 90s Video Store.
Open year round!
Virtual gift certificates available online at www.CuriousEscapeRooms.com

Physical gift tickets available in store. Contact us at (978)696-5136 for details.

General admission: $28 per person
Local Residents and Students: $25 per person w/ promo code "FITCHBURGROCKS"
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Gallery Sitka West 454 Main St, Fitchburg
Support small, local businesses like us during Shop Small Saturday! Gallery Sitka West is offering 20% off all art and pottery during this event. Don't miss out on this great opportunity to help support the arts!
https://www.facebook.com/events/2035237439848359/
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Eddy's Music, 18 Mill St, Fitchburg, MA (978) 855-4678
on Small Business Saturday Eddy's Music will be offering 20% off anything in the store except consignments. Always free intro lessons too. Thanks!
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Pen & Anvil Press, online: http://penandanvil.com/
Brilliant! "Fitchburg and Fitchburg-area residents who make a book or journal issue purchase from http://penandanvil.com/catalogue on 11/24/18 are eligible to receive a 15% refund. To initiate your refund claim, please email press@penandanvil.com/"

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Fitchburg - ILoveKickboxing’s humble roots mean BIG savings! 
24 John Fitch Hwy, Fitchburg, MA (978) 627-3096
Celebrate Small Business Saturday with all of our franchise owners for sleek arms, toned legs, and a fat wallet.

1-Day Flash Sale! 50% OFF 3 Fitness Kickboxing Classes + Free Gloves, Just $9.99 (Regular: $19.99)! Use Promo Code “SBS” at checkout: ilovekickboxing.com

#smallbizsaturday #ILKB #deals #sale #local

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Putnam Street Lanes Fitchburg, 14 Putnam St, Fitchburg, MA 
(978) 343-9664
Small Business Saturday promotion at Putnam Street Lanes, Saturday Nov 24th --- Bowl 1 game, Get 1 game free!

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Higher Standards Smoke Shop, 360 Main Street, Fitchburg, MA (978) 627-3331
For the Small Business Saturday. These are the deals at Higher Standards Smoke Shop. Final sales over $50 we will take 5% off. Final sales over $100 will save 10%. Final sales over $200 will save 15%.
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Windmill Florist, 448 Mechanic St, Fitchburg, MA (978) 342-2347
Small Business Saturday deal: 20% off at Windmill (will exclude prior purchases and live arrangements). That's 20% off all antiques, jewelry, furniture, and all holiday silk arrangements and wreaths. 
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Susan Bates Home and Garden, 54 Fitchburg State Rd, Ashby, MA (978) 340-7869
Small Business Saturday deal: 20% on all EGM tags at Susan Bates Home and Garden at 
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Think Tank Academics, 348 Lunenburg St, Fitchburg, MA (978) 821-9209
Free academic assessment on November 24 for any child grades 1-10.
facebook.com/thinktankacademics
Appointment must be made at least 48 hours in advance by calling 978 821 9209 or emailing thinktankacademics@gmail.com

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Acid Reign Skateboard Company, 168 Lunenburg St, Fitchburg, MA (978) 549-2415
10% off promotion on Saturday Nov 24th when you mention Small Business Saturday!
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Fitchburg Preppy Pet, 147 John Fitch Hwy, Fitchburg, MA (978) 345-0444
We will be offering 10%off everything in our retail store on small business Saturday!
We are also having a big holiday party Saturday December 1st! There will be vendors, free samples and a raffle table with 100% proceeds going to local animal rescues!

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The Boulder Art Gallery, 960 Main Street, Fitchburg, MA (978) 345-7000
Boulder Art Gallery is offering 15% off all purchases..............store wide, on Saturday, November 24th.
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Urban Flow La Moda, 6 Summer St, Fitchburg, MA (978) 627-3798
Free shipping on orders $75+
10% off Clothing and Accessories on Small Business Saturday
& Buy one shirt get one free off the sale rack on Saturday!
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Global 24
Global 24 will be offering a $99 access membership, single club, one year, unlimited on demand Fitness classes . In club or online joining. 😊 
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debonis & davin florist inc.
For Small Business Saturday Nov 24th Debonis & Davin Florist will be offering a 20% discount on all store items, excluding cut flowers and wire out orders. Thank you!

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Strong Style Coffee
For Small Business Saturday November 24th:
take 25% off all Merch (shirts and mugs!)
Also...Get an extra $5 bucks added to any gift card purchase (that's free money yall.)

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Zedas Fitchburg, MA
Small Business Saturday Nov 24th PIZZA deal! (2) Large Plain Cheese Pizzas for $13.99! No substitutions.

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R/C Excitement, Inc, 208 Bemis Rd, Fitchburg 
Black Friday Open House! We will be doing demonstrations and test drives that day, and it's all free.
Small Business Saturday Nov 24: $20 gift card with any purchase of $250+, $50 gift card for $500+ purchases! VIP Savings & Discounts!
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Mill No. 3 Farmstand
Join us for a unique shopping experience! We will have food & wine tastings. Spend $50.00 and be entered into a gift basket raffle including some of our favorite things!!!
#ShopSmall #ShopLocal #MillNo3
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Rebel Smoke Fitchburg
Offering 15% discount on #smallbizsaturday & a special card in store with more discounts!
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Red House Irons 
Offering a free 'Fitchburg Sucks' t shirt with $100 purchase for Small Business Saturday. .....PS Fitchburg Rocks ;)

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That's Entertainment- North! (Fitchburg)
20% off almost everything on Thanksgiving Weekend, including Small Business Saturday! See Flyer in event for more details!

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FHS at LHS Thanksgiving Game

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Our rivalry game was featured on WBZ | CBS Boston 11pm news  :) 
Here's my favorite D 'Fence' crew and I on the news!
Watch the segment here: https://boston.cbslocal.com/video/3982396-another-large-high-school-rivalry-football-game-played-wednesday-night/?fbclid=IwAR0oXIgM_5MXndp0L6sKc2Yt2WMREkS4R6DXEbdt-nx2KP9Z9PXzdBzw-8c

Congrats to Leominster on their Thanksgiving game victory 36-0...

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Trash & Recycling- Dumping in the same truck?

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Regarding Trash & Recycling pickup:
In the last year, I've gotten a number of complaints about drivers dumping both trash and recycling in the same truck--at the same time.
When I went on the recycling audit, I brought this up to the WM Public Sector Solutions Rep... and discovered WM is able to look up the truck used on the route with date, location and time. I'm told the administrators take this issue seriously.
SO---if you happen to SEE trash and recycling being dumped in the SAME truck at the SAME time... let me know address and time and I would be happy to forward this to WM and confirm if it was a split body truck---or if this was an infraction of the driver.

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Building Opportunities for People in Transition

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Construction underway for transitional housing facility in Fitchburg to help people in transition of North Central Massachusetts.

Building Opportunities for People in Transition

Community Foundation of North Central Massachusetts' 3-year funding commitment will help GAAMHA, Inc. creative supportive sober housing for up to 40 people. "I can't overstate the importance of organizations like Community Foundation," says Shawn Hayden, COO of Gardner Athol Area Mental Health Association. "We have a lot of ideas about how we can help people, but without Community Foundation's generosity we could never bring them to fruition."

Established in 1967, an essential part of GAAMHA's mission is to help people recover from drug and alcohol addiction. A key resource in the process that is sorely lacking in North Central Massachusetts is transitional, supportive sober housing.

"People need a place where they can get up every day, and go to work or go to school, knowing that they are in a place free of drugs and alcohol; where there is a Case Manager available to them 24/7," says Hayden.

Thanks to a $227,000 commitment over the next three years from Community Foundation's Endowed Fund for Critical Needs, GAAMHA will be able to begin construction on a sober living facility in Fitchburg, in fall of 2018. The end result will be the creation of 10 apartments designed to house four individuals each, as well as a retail facility that will provide employment opportunities for the building's residents.

GAAMHA hopes to have the facility operational by 2019, and self-funded by 2021. "For people in recovery, long-term connectivity to care has proven to have a very positive impact on outcomes. Thanks to Community Foundation's generosity we'll be able to do more positively impact the lives of individuals, and our community," said Hayden.

http://www.cfncm.org/LearniAboutCFNCMi/News/ViewArticle/tabid/96/ArticleId/90/Building-Opportunities-for-People-in-Transition.aspx?fbclid=IwAR019KQjp0dNzbySGKcLNa7h-49rrk51Z43gonhKLieiVmr1KukmN2fXlrU

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Week 2 of Nutrishop Fitchburg Challenges! 

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Week 2 of Nutrishop Fitchburg Challenges! 
I'm not doing so great compared to the other challenge participants as you can see by my percentiles...😂 
This store is pretty fabulous though... knowledgable, friendly and helpful staff...and all kinds of fancy supplements from vitamins to protein powders to weight loss supplements to essential oils...I took a few pics of their offerings here.

Twin City Memory Cafe with Fitchburg Dog Park & TheraPaws

Myself & Fiona the therapy dog with her humans Helen and Theresa visited the Twin City Memory Cafe at the Leominster Senior Ctr for a lunchtime meeting of the monthly support group. I spoke all about the Fitchburg Dog Park, everyone loved Fiona, and we spoke about Be Pawsitive's work in the community and the role that our Therapy Pets are playing in the community from Children at schools, to students at college, to seniors at assisted living centers and more.

The Twin City Memory Café Committee is a group of individuals dedicated to promoting social opportunities through community gatherings for individuals with dementia and their care partners.

Twin City memory cafe meets the 1st Wednesday of every month from 1 to 3 p.m., at the Leominster Senior Center, 5 Pond St.

All those in attendance must be accompanied by a care partner.

This is a free program, but registration is required by calling Diane Reed at 774-272-2259.

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*pic by Ashley Green for S&E

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Fitchburg Police Clothing Drive 2018

Fitchburg Police Clothing Drive: FPD will be collecting Men's or Women's apparel such as winter coats, fleece shirts, hats, gloves, winter boots, etc. to benefit those in need. We teamed up with ACTION Health Services and Girl Scout Troop # 30713 of Fitchburg.
We will all be accepting donations on November 17, 2018 (Saturday) from 9:00 am until 12:00 pm. We will be at the Central Plaza parking lot located on Water Street.

UMass Leominster Hospital Listening Session

Attended a 'listening session' at the UMass Leominster Hospital this morning to discuss changes with their facilities and issues brought up by residents. I'll note a few points discussed:
1. The new Emergency Room Expansion is expected to be complete sometime soon after the new year. They will have a separate ER area for those patients with 'mental health/drug concerns', and are increasing their available ER beds from 24 to 37. They estimate 8-10 beds a day are taken up by Mental health/drug related patients.
2. Credit Cards for Urgent Care: They are still working with the Carewell Urgent care, as an affiliate, to remove the restriction for a Credit card on File for care....but they have not been able to reach agreement yet.
The Leominster UMass Memorial Urgent Care Center does not have a Credit Card on File system, and thus will treat all patients at that facility. For non-acute concerns that you would feel comfortable going to your Doctor for, but cannot wait for an appt---this is where Urgent Care may be able to assist you the quickest. To contrast, for non-acute issues, your wait time in the ER might be very long.
3. Fitchburg Burbank Campus: The future plans for this Campus for the Simonds-Sinon Regional Cancer Center sound very exciting for Fitchburg. We were told that they have received "the biggest donation they have ever received' and plan on expanding our Cancer Center into "The Dana-Farber of Central Massachusetts", when asked how many square feet of the existing facility they were using for the new cancer center---they said "most of it". That timeline is "a few years out"...but are currently renovating a portion of the old Bullock Campus they recently tore down into a new "Community Room" to offer more services and events for the community. A press release will be forth coming.
4. If residents have any concerns or questions about our hospital structure, services, plans or anything else... they offered an open door for more questions or a tour or whatever...so I'd be happy to note concerns and try to reach out to the Hospital for answers.
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I was joined this morning by fellow Fitchburg councilors Beauchemin and Donnelly, Leominster Councilor Challifoux-Zephir, Fitchburg State Rep Hay, & Leominster State Rep Higgins, Lunenburg Fire Chief and Leominster Police Chief among other hospital execs and officials. So can reach out to any of them with questions as well

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