Blog — Elect SAM

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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Poll: Should the City of Fitchburg raise the age to 21 for Tobacco & 'Nicotine Delivery Products'?

Should the City of Fitchburg raise the age to 21 for Tobacco & 'Nicotine Delivery Products'?
The BOH is currently accepting written comment until October 31, 2018 regarding raising the age to 21 for Nicotine Delivery Products and Tobacco purchases sales in the City of Fitchburg. Please submit comment to 166 Boulder Drive, Suite 108 or scurry@fitchburgma.gov.

Cannabis Retail Outreach Mtg- John Fitch Hwy

Cannabis Retail Outreach Mtg- John Fitch Hwy
The company looking to open a recreational pot shop at 143-145 Water St. is eyeing a second location in the city.

The second location proposed by Avon-based Green Era LLC is a currently vacant building at 371 John Fitch Highway.

Green Era Manager Jack Carney said the approximately 3,000 square-foot parcel was attractive for its proximity to a busy roadway and for being a ways away from schools and neighborhoods.

"There's a large population in this region, so we thought that it would be a popular location," he said.

Carney said Green Era's "original goal" was to open a second shop in Leominster, but discussions with the city stalled. Leominster adopted zoning that governs where cannabis companies can and cannot locate last summer.

So the company instead decided to pursue a second retail establishment in Fitchburg, he said. Green Era is also among a slate of companies vying for the chance to apply for a cannabis shop in Worcester.

Carney expects to sign a "host community agreement" for the Water Street dispensary with the city this week. He expects another such agreement related to the John Fitch Highway will be finalized a few weeks after that.

Green Era is tentatively calling its proposed Water Street location Colonial Cannabis, though Carney said the name may change. For that location Carney said he will seek a special permit at a Nov. 14 Planning Board meeting.

http://www.sentinelandenterprise.com/news/ci_32239077/company-eyes-2nd-pot-shop-fitchburg

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Monty Tech Vet Science Center Ribbon Cutting

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Ribbon Cutting today for the new Monty Tech Vocational High School Vet Science Center! I toured it when it was under construction a few months back...and WOW does it look amazing today! They even have a horse in the classroom ;-) Amazing resource for our community and students at Monty Tech.
So great to have Governor Charlie Baker join us for the ceremony! as well as Congressman Jim McGovern, Senator Dean A. Tran and Representative Stephan Hay (with the ribbon cutting photo credit!).

Ribbon Cutting for Research Results

Started off the day with a Ribbon Cutting to celebrate the Research Results, Inc. new Fitchburg Headquarters Building on South Street...also housing my fellow Councilor Anthony Zarrella, Councilor-at-Large and my fellow Longsjo Classic Board member John Zarrella!
---The building is all decked out, inside and out, in RED and GREY. It's pretty fabulous ...Fitchburg theme galore! I love it! Great views of Brandon Funeral Home too...
Thanks for committing to Fitchburg!
Thanks again also to Rep Hay for another great Ribbon Cutting Photo 😃👍

Ribbon Cutting for Research Results

Simonds International Tour

Had an awesome tour this morning by CEO Ray Martino of Simonds International of the Fitchburg Simonds Saw Museum! Started in 1832 and still running today, Simonds in Fitchburg created the first WINDOWLESS factory in the 30's--and people would come from all around to wonder at our marvel of manufacturing architecture =)
Today they make all the cutting supplies needed for the wood industry....and a bit more than that (metal, fibers, paper etc)! Fitchburg has such an amazing History.
Thanks to the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce for organizing!

Community Outreach Meeting: Green Era LLC

Notice of Community Outreach Meeting

Please let this serve as notice for a community outreach meeting that will be held by Green Era LLC at 5:30pm on Tuesday, October 30th at the Fitchburg Public Library located at 610 Main St, Fitchburg, MA. The purpose of this meeting will
be to discuss a proposed cannabis retail establishment that will
be located at 371 John Fitch Hwy, Fitchburg, MA.

During the course of this meeting the following topics will be
discussed (but will not be limited to):

- Explain the type of marijuana establishment (retail) and
how it will operate – what to expect

- Site Security
- Plans to prevent underage use
- Plans to positively impact the community
- Provide information to show the establishment will not
be a nuisance to the community.
- Take any questions the public may have

The public is invited to attend the meeting to ask any questions
they may have and receive more information on the topic.

Notice has been issued in the Sentinel & Enterprise (will go live on Oct. 23rd) and has also been sent to abutters within 300ft of the establishment, residents, and city departments & authorities from a list acquired from the Assessor.

Thank you,
Management, Green Era LLC

Fitchburg Wastewater Beginning Design of Major Sewer Infranstructure Project

Beginning on November 1st, the City’s Engineering Consultant, Weston & Sampson, will begin investigative and survey work for the City as the first step in the design progress of of Consent Decree in that the City eliminate Combined Sewer Overflows (CSOs) to the Nashua River. The first step will include Sewer Smoke Testing. The smoke testing is anticipated to be performed over an approximate two week period, and is expected to be completed by Friday - November 16th. “Smoke testing is a non-toxic industry-standard technique to locate problems in the sewer collection system that allow non-revenue groundwater and rain water to enter the sewer system,” said Mr. Maressa,
“Although the smoke is non-hazardous to humans, pets, or material goods, residents can still minimize the chance that smoke will enter buildings by running a few gallons of water into plumbing traps within their homes or businesses to ensure they’re filled with water. A plumbing trap that is filled with water will prevent smoke from entering homes and buildings provided that the proper plumbing is installed and functioning properly.”

TDI - Transformative Development Initiative walking tour

TDI - Transformative Development Initiative walking tour through downtown with MassDevelopment Officials, Senator Dean A. Tran, Representive Hay, Mayor DiNatale and Councilors Beauchemin, Donnelly, Walsh and I...and city officials. Great to discuss our strategies for connecting developments and promoting commercial development in this area (shown in the circle on the map).
Contact Francisco Torres if you are considering commercial property:
Francisco Torres
Transformative Development Initiative Fellow
MassDevelopment
E: ftorres@massdevelopment.com
C: (857) 295-2603

Nutrishop Fitchburg Fall Challenge

I just signed up for the Nutrishop Fitchburg Fall Challenge! Free to sign up...now until Sunday...you download a free fitmanager app....then use their fancy weight/body analysis machine to calculate your exact weight, body fat, and lean muscle mass....(among other calculations!).
Check in every 2 weeks...and the challenge ends Dec 17th! Easy...fun way to track your progress on the path to fitness ✊🏊‍♀️⛹️‍♂️🏋️‍♂️🧘‍

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Rainworks project with Ms Robillards Art Class at Longsjo

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I joined with the students and we started in on the #Rainworks project with Ms Robillards Art Class at Longsjo Middle School! Thanks to a grant from the Fitchburg, MA Cultural Council!
When it rains... the FHS Raider and the Longsjo Olympian will start to appear around Longsjo Middle School! Working on more with the kids this week!
It took a few tries to get it right.... but I think we have it down pat!