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Groundbreaking Ceremony for KFIT Fitchburg Municipal Airport Runway expansion project

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I attended the Groundbreaking Ceremony for KFIT Fitchburg Municipal Airport Runway expansion project this morning with a majority of my fellow councilors!
This is a $15.4M dollar project that is funded 90% from the Federal Aviation Administration, 5% from MassDOT, and 5% from Fitchburg ($768k).
We are eliminating the lesser used cross runway 20/02 and rebuilding the main runway 14/32 from 4500ft to 5001 ft. This allows for larger commercial jet traffic to land safely meeting insurance thresholds.
John "Jack" Naylor Sr was honored with a plaque at the Airport for his years of dedication and service to the city and the airport commission. Vice-Chair Peter Kettle spoke of the work we have done to get to this point, as did MassDOT regarding the future of air travel and how Fitchburg will be at the forefront of the transportation future.
The Finicky Fork Catering Company catered and had little cupcakes with shovels for the groundbreaking 😆

Friends of Fitchburg Abolitionist Park

Working with the Friends of Fitchburg Abolitionist Park creating a park on Snow St that will commemorate abolitionists who lived in, or had close ties to the Community of Fitchburg; provde an educational space where visitors can learn about anti-slavery (abolitionist) movement, and serve as a symbol of equality, diversity, and the most fundamental of human rights: Freedom.

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Fitchburg State Falcons Football game vs Framingham Rams

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Attended the Fitchburg State Athletics Falcons Football game today at beautiful Elliot Field in Fitchburg! The foliage was so gorgeous today and no wind so really comfortable fall day... Fitchburg Falcons lost to the Framingham Rams 56 to 7 so it was quite an exciting game :) FATV was there covering as always.
Joined my new friend Annika from Germany (staying at a Fitchbirurg AirBnB) who had to take her boyfriend to an Amercian football game 🇺🇸🇩🇪
🏈 Next home game is the homecoming game on Sat Oct 26th at 12pm versus Westfield State. Admission is $6.

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North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce Congressional Luncheon

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Representing Fitchburg here with one of my favorite 💙 Leominster city councilors, Mark Bodanza, at the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce Congressional Luncheon today at Great Wolf Lodge featuring discussions about current happenings in Congress with Congressman Jim McGovern and Congresswoman Lori Trahan. They discussed the president's impeachment proceedings, the need for Infrastructure spending, earmarks, their support for Voter Choice for Massachusetts Ranked Choice voting, trade with North America and China and much more. Thank to Fitchburg State University for sponsoring 🦅

FSU FALL/WINTER WALKING AND JOGGING CLUB

FALL/WINTER WALKING AND JOGGING CLUB- Free for Fitchburg Residents!
The Fitchburg Recreation Department is pleased to announce the 2019-2020 Walking and Jogging Club registration is now available. The Walking and Jogging Club is a partnership between the City of Fitchburg and Fitchburg State University which allows local residents to escape the cold and wet winter months and jog/walk inside at the Fitchburg State University Recreation Center’s jogging track, at 130 North St, Fitchburg, which is suspended above the gymnasium on the second floor. Minors must be accompanied by an adult.

To enroll in the Walking and Jogging Club residents must visit the Fitchburg Recreation Department Office at 1000 John Fitch Highway Landry Arena, Fitchburg, MA to receive a club pass and then submit a consent and release form to Fitchburg State University on their first visit.

The Winter Walking and Jogging Club runs from Oct. 1, 2019 through April 1, 2020.

Club Hours:
Monday - Friday 6:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Saturday 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM
Sunday 3:00 PM to 10:00 PM

FAQs:
**I am not a Fitchburg resident, can i use the track?
If you are Alumni, or related to a student you may be eligible for membership. The the cost schedule here:
https://www.fitchburgstate.edu/…/recreation-ser…/membership/
**Can use a stroller?
Strollers ARE allowed, but they ask that the wheels be cleaned off before they use them. Children are allowed, but parents need to fill out a consent and release form, and the children must be with the parent at all times.
** Where can I park?
As far as parking is concerned, you either have to be a student, staff or alumni to obtain a parking permit and they are obtainable from Housing and Residential Services (located in in Aubuchon Hall) between the 8am & 5pm. However, if you are not affiliated with FSU you will have to park on the street.
**What type of track is this?
This is a suspended, 2 lane cement track.

fsu track.jpg
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FItchburg Public Schools Extended Program at Fitchburg State University

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I was invited to visit the FPS Extended Program in partnership with Fitchburg State University this morning... I got to chat with the students and teachers and check out their amazing classroom at McKay school. What an incredible asset we have here in Fitchburg for our students with special needs.

🗓This program is for Fitchburg Public Schools students with intellectual disabilities, age 18-21. They focus on functional academics, vocational skill development, all while giving students a college experience they wouldn't otherwise have.

🖊 After the classroom visit, we walked over to Anne Howard's college classroom which had many students in Education and Special Education and Meryl Higgins, the FPS Special Education Teacher/Program Coordinator gave a presentation to the FSU students on what they do and how to get involved.


The students in the FPS extended program get to learn:

💵Money management: banking, Budgeting, How to be an employee and what the pay looks like

🧹Independent Living: How to travel, get to work, read labels, go grocery shopping, do laundry and general house duties.

🤸‍♂️Health and Wellness: Hygiene, Internet Safety, Fitness

they get 2 days a week to use the FSU Rec center for Fitness activities. They get a cooking class twice a month to learn how to cook for different occasions, and making healthy food.

👥 Community Service is a part of the program: making Thanksgiving Baskets, Painting kindness rocks, making baby blankets, gift wrapping, valentine's day treats and more.

⌚️Vocational Training: Internships and real jobs are very important to the students as they age out of the program and transition to living more independently. They learn job skills, get ServSafe Training, and get to do internships working real jobs to see their skills in action and help them learn to choose a job for their career. Partners in the program have included Hannaford Supermarkets (Lancaster St, Leominster, MA), The Hair Loft, 31 Hair Studio, Petco (Leominster), FPS Nutrition Services, Summer St. Cafe, The Gardener's Spot, T.J.Maxx (Leominster, MA), Fitchburg State University Police Program and more.

The program is actively seeking more businesses to partner with for their students, and advocate that these students will grow into valuable, reliable employees for many of our local businesses.

🦇Falcon Friends--- this is a program/club at FSU with the FPS Extended program which is like a best buddies organization; the college students get paired up with a student and meet up with their “Best Friend” at least once a week. They text, talk on the phone, go to movies, play sports on campus, and sometimes attend socials with one another. Secretary of the club Emma gave a moving speech about how she started thinking she was helping the FPS students, but really they ended up really helping her.

Amazing program... so honored to have been included and invited to visit <3

CAUGHT...reporting city issues! =)

While I was out putting out more SAM signs on lawns... a homeowner stopped me on the street and asked if I could help get this DEAD tree 🌳 taken care of... while I was reporting it the fabulous Real Estate 🏘 Photographer Jermane Stephinger caught me in action with this candid photo 😎
Here's a picture of the tree in question...and a few other city issues I saw along the way to report to my favorite city officials to fix 🚧 STOP sign upsidedown or POTS sign rightsideup? 😁
#councilorduties #campaignduties #dualduty #alwaysworking

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McHay Day at McKay Elementary!

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🎃 Thank you McKay Arts Academy PTO for inviting me to judge the costume contest at this year's McHay day with Fitchburg Fire Department Engine 4 crew!
Cutest: Crayon, Funniest: Leprechaun & Pot of Gold, Most Creative: Tank, Scariest: Pennywise.
They had make your own caramel apples, games, raffles, arts and crafts, bouncehouse and more. We had fun

New Probate & Family Court Satellite Registry opening in FITCHBURG!

New Probate & Family Court Satellite Registry opening in FITCHBURG!
I attended the opening reception for the Probate and Family court today in Fitchburg. Register of Probate Stephanie K. Fattman and Register of Deeds Kathleen Daignault spoke about the services now offered here that previously our residents had to travel to Worcester for.
They will be open the first Wednesday of the Month here fro 9-1pm to start---if they are busy they will expand hours.
Community Legal Aid was there as well and discussed collaboration of services.
----Services include:
👩‍⚖️LAWYER FOR THE DAY: Schedule a session to meet with a lawyer for both Probate and Deeds matters
👩‍⚖️DEDICATED TRAINING: Training for attorneys from magistrates regarding complex court filings
👩‍⚖️GUARDIANSHIP CLINIC: Schedule a private session to receive information about filing a guardianship
👩‍⚖️ACCESS CASES: Access cases and receive paperwork for filing
👩‍⚖️FILE: File pleadings –payment by check or money order
👩‍⚖️MAGISTRATE HELP: Dedicated information line serviced by court magistrates
👩‍⚖️INFORMAL PROBATE: Walk-in informal probates for allowance

Virginia Thurston Healing Garden

I was invited to visit and tour the The Virginia Thurston Healing Garden​ at 145 Bolton Rd, Harvard, Mass for lunch today--an 18 minute drive from Leominster.

The Healing Garden has a beautiful, relaxing vibe which compliments their focus of cancer healing support with a holistic, integrative treatment approach.

Meg (left) the Executive Director and Maddie (right) the Development Director told me about how their nonprofit here relies on fundraising, grants and private donations for providing cancer treatment services to a wide range of people from 165 cities and towns in the Commonwealth.

They offer services on a 'sliding scale' to serve a wide socioeconomic range of patients---as so many in long term treatment end up exhausting their savings.

Art therapy and group therapy looked like a large part of programs offered...and the works surrounding were very calming and serene.

They told me how the Sentinel & Enterprise​ did a cover story about their Sunday Walk&Ride fundraiser and a Fitchburg couple already came by to inquire about services <3

Here is the article:

https://www.sentinelandenterprise.com/2019/09/30/perennial-walk-and-ride-to-benefit-virginia-thurston-healing-garden-cancer-support-center/

They were interested to come to Fitchburg and do a discussion on Discussing Fitchburg Now on FATV​ on the benefits of adding integrative & holistic cancer treatments and support to traditional therapies.

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Heritage park is finally full of flags!

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Heritage park is finally full of flags!
🇨🇮🇳🇱 We are still taking orders for 2020/2021 Flag season!
We get a discounted bulk rate on the best Quality 3x5 flags we can buy from Central Flag thanks to Operation service.
🇺🇾 How do I get my Flag?
1. Comment HERE on this post if you would like to donate for a flag (or message me) and I'll let you know how much $ to donate. Flags are between $20-60.
2. Flag donations will be made to Operation Service, a 501c3 Organization. Note "Heritage Park Flag: (Name of country)" on the check or online donation.
3. All flags fly on an alphabetical, rotating basis, usually for 1 season they fly (April-November).
4. There are approx 20 flagpoles, so we cannot guarantee exactly when your donated flag will fly (should be 2020/2021)
5. Current list of donated flags to fly:
Armenia (x2)
Brazil
Canada
Chile
China
Colombia
Italy
Finland
France
Macedonia
Norway
Philippines
Poland (no eagle)
Qatar
Sweden
Uruguay

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MMA Legislative Breakfast in Fitchburg

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Thank you to the Massachusetts Municipal Association for holding your Legislative Breakfast at Fitchburg State University on this beautiful Fall Friday morning! 🍂🍁
Great to represent Fitchburg as always and hear about what is happening at the State level with the MMA that affects the city of Fitchburg. Nice to see our Mayor, Representative, Procurement Officer and our DPW Commissioner attend as well.
🏫 We went over pending bills that will affect Fitchburg such as the Student Opportunity Act--which they anticipate to pass-- that will increase our school funding and benefit Fitchburg as a community with higher Special Needs students, English as a Second Language Learners and low-income population students. The MMA recommended to contact Senator Dean A. Tran for his take on exactly how that will affect us---as we will get more money for education, but this also will affect our Net School Spending requirements (we'll likely have to contribute more).
🌱 We discussed update to the Marijuana allowances for Community host Agreements---and how they may have to change.
🚗Thanks to surplus revenue we are getting another increase of 20% in Chapter 90 Road funding (from $200M to $240M), same increase as last year--- but the MMA stressed how this is still woefully inadequate---as we know very well in Fitchburg.
Many other important updates at the State level that will directly affect us legislators in Fitchburg... if you have any questions let me know.... I'm always grateful to have these opportunities to represent our people and their concerns.

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Coggshall Swan Necropsy Results & Update:

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Coggshall Swan Necropsy Results & Update:
I discussed with the Parks Director and was given a copy of the Autopsy Report for our ill-fated 1st Coggshall Swan that passed away on August 4, 2019.
➡️The synopsis of the report was that the Swan's cause of death was due to 'peracute sepsis' (Sudden or Violent onset of Sepsis) to an infection from a 'common' bacteria in birds/animals they believe to be Pasteurella multocida septicemia.
➡️ Was the Swan sick already?
Per the Parks Director's discussion with the Veterinarian; they cannot conclusively state whether the Swan was sick before it arrived to the Park (July 30th), or if the moving of the Swan to Coggshall park may have 'shocked' its system and allowed this common bacteria to cause a peracute sepsis.
➡️ The second Swan
There was no necropsy performed on the second swan that passed away on August 16th, as its death was clearly indicative of an animal attack.
➡️ Are we getting new swans?
There are no plans in place to acquire new swans at this time.

coggshall swan.jpg

Restoration Recovery Grand Opening & Ribbon Cutting

Attended Restoration Recovery Center Inc. for their Grand Opening Celebration ribbon cutting today at 40 Fairmount St. So honored to represent Fitchburg for needed organizations like this with owners Mark and Julia Armstrong. My fellow elected official also always there representing us was Senator Dean A. Tran. 🇺🇸
...plus...I won SO MANY raffles... because I am very lucky 🍀😁

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Legislative night at the Chocksett Inn 2019

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Great time chatting with fellow elected officials, business leaders and candidates for office tonight at the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce Legislative night at the Chocksett Inn 🇺🇸 Saw my favorite city councilors from Fitchburg, Leominster and Gardner...and beyond to Ashby and Westminster! Great event to be able to regionally discuss our successes and challenges ... thanks to Mount Wachusett Community College for sponsoring!

Dog Park Orientation Training Programs!

Our first Small Dog Park training program just concluded with Champion K9 Services at the Fitchburg Dog Park and it went very well!
We learned about what to do before you get to the dog park, what to do when dogs are being too aggressive, how to greet new dogs, basic obedience skills to practice with your dog at the park (and at home!), how making your dog be able to "come/heel" is the most important thing for the dog park....and more.
Actual examples of dog behavior at the park worked great. Large dog park training starts next :)
Hugo half posed with me for a doggie selfie 🤣😍