Blog — Elect SAM

Overloaded Trash and Recycling Carts is a "major" problem in Fitchburg.

Overloaded Trash and Recycling Carts is a "major" problem in Fitchburg.
I have some examples of carts that were recently refused as they were so overloaded that dumping them in the truck would cause refuse to dump in the street. 
-----> Here is the general system per the Fitchburg Board of Health:
1. If the cart is overloaded Waste Management drivers will call it in and the resident gets a warning. 
2. After 2 warnings the resident will get a fine (1st $50, 2nd $100, 3rd $200, 4th and subsequent $250)
3. If the cart is so overloaded WM cannot get it in the truck without 'making a mess', they take a picture and refuse the stop. WM "has been a lot more lenient around the holidays", but in reality if the lid is open they are supposed to refuse it.

No Evil Project Opening Reception Video

Our opening reception at the Fitchburg Art Museum featured a panel discussion of various members of the Fitchburg, Massachusetts community including Kenisha Lilliane-Nicole, Wil Darcangelo, Mary Heafy, Irene Rodríguez-Hernandez, Lieutenant Jeffrey J. Howe, and Furqan Mehmud, and moderated by Sam Squailia. It's an hour long, but a lot of great stories and thoughts. So pull up a comfy chair and see another way we're bringing people together to start productive conversations about differences.

Christmas Tree Collection 2019

Christmas Tree Collection ***Curbside & Landfill: This holiday season's curbside collection will be Monday January 7th through Friday January 11th on your regularly scheduled collection day. 
If you have a recycling permit (available for free to residents), you can bring your Christmas tree to the landfill without having to wait for curbside collection. 
Trees in plastic or contained ornaments/tinsel will not be accepted.
***Farm for Goat & Horse Feed: 
---Recycle your Christmas tree into a goat treat! The goats and sheep at Carraig Farm and Apothecary nibble on both the bark and needles while the tree gives them needed fiber during the winter months. Drop off at the farm, 179 West Rd, Ashby (no tinsel/hairspray/ornament wire please), and Happy New Year!
--- Shay's Showbirds Flock of fun farm is asking for your Christmas Trees to feed the Goats and Horses. Trees can dropped off at 188 Fitchburg Road, Townsend MA. No tinsel, ornament wire or hairspray-treated trees.
***Tree not picked up? 
Report at https://en.seeclickfix.com/fitchburg_2 or call the BOH at 978-829-1870 or email me at ssquailia@fitchburgma.gov

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NewVue Community Stewards Graduation

Was proud to join as our at-large Fitchburg City Councilor and welcome our new *Community Stewards* graduating from the NewVue Communitiesprogram last Thursday: Angaw Kahassai, Anwar Arenas, Beatrice Kabaya(getting pinned in the picture!), Brianna Dyment, Marta Albizu, Molly Murphy, Pastor Tim Robinson, Quenton Chestang-Pittman, Sacha Marie Arenas & Tim McLaughlin.
Great to have a new list of volunteer leaders to help us in strengthening our Community in Fitchburg!
Great to have Ward 5 Councilor Marisa Fleming and Lt. Jeff Howe of the Fitchburg Police Dept to welcome our stewards as well!
Thank you Francisco Ramos for the lovely ceremony (& dinner!). Listening to the graduates speak about their experience makes the program's results already seem fantastic... Can't wait to see more!

BICYCLES TO BORROW

BICYCLES TO BORROW
THE LIBRARY HAS BICYCLES THAT FITCHBURG RESIDENTS OVER 18 CAN BORROW FOR ONE WEEK. 
To borrow a bike, bring in your library card and proof that you live in Fitchburg, such as a picture ID with your current address, or a piece of mail addressed to your current address. You must sign a liability waiver, and then you can borrow the bike for one week. We also have helmets to lend.

After you return the bike, you must wait 24 hours to borrow another, to allow others an opportunity.

Bring it back on time—there’s a $5/day fine if you’re late.

Bike Rentals paused for Winter.... & start again in the spring...April 1st.

Question: What if you get a flat?
When the bike is returned to the Library we will have it repaired.

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What to do with all that Wrapping Paper??

What to do with all that Wrapping Paper??
Standard Christmas and other Holiday Wrapping Paper should be thrown in the trash cart. Many coatings and inks used in these papers make them non-recyclable and or too expensive to recycle.
---Try alternatives to expensive disposable wrapping papers that cannot be recycled: 
Decorative boxes, gift bags, and tins can be reused.
Use paper bags, brown paper or newspaper to wrap 
your gift and then use a reusable ribbon, bow, twine or natural sprig of evergreen to decorate it. 
Other ideas:
Use old gourmet or home and garden magazines to wrap a gift for someone who likes to cook (or eat!) or garden. A traveler might like a gift that is wrapped in maps you no longer use. The Sunday comics wrapped around the gift gives great color and they’re fun to read. Wrap a sports fan’s gift in a sports magazine. A quilter would enjoy a gift
wrapped in a piece of fabric that you might have at home and never used. Wrap a child’s gift in a brown paper bag and add a small box of crayons for the little artist to create a brown bag masterpiece. Empty (or full) seed packets make a colorful gift tag. String, yarn, and even the one odd shoestring in the junk drawer can bring a unique touch to a gift package. Once you have given the gift, the person who receives it can recycle the wrapping!

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Does Monday have a normal trash schedule?

Does Monday have a normal trash schedule?
YES it does... put your trash & recycling carts out as normal.... BUT Tuesday's Christmas Holiday causes a delay... So Tuesday's pickup will occur Wednesday, Wednesday's pickup will occur Thursday...Thursday pickup will occur Friday....Friday's pickup will occur Saturday.
I usually suggest to put out the normal day also... just in case ;-)

WINTER WALKING AND JOGGING CLUB- Free for Fitchburg Residents!

WINTER WALKING AND JOGGING CLUB- Free for Fitchburg Residents!
The Fitchburg, MA Recreation Department in partnership with Fitchburg State University Recreation Services is pleased to offer Fitchburg Residents a free winter Walking and Jogging club at the Fitchburg State University Recreation Center jogging track. 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. 15, 2018 through April 1, 2019.

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-se…/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.

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Why can't the City use Bank of America for Ward 5 Voting?

Question:
Why can't the City use Bank of America (700 Main St) for Ward 5 Voting?
Answer from City Clerk:
"Counselor, historically the city of Fitchburg has housed the voting locations for all precincts in a particular ward in one location. While the bank of America address could serve as a precinct for 5b it could not serve as the precinct for 5A because it is not adjacent.
As you know the designation of polling locations is by city Council vote. If the city Council chooses to split up the voting locations for the Two ward five precincts then the additional expense should be considered.
The Bank of America building will be under construction shortly through calendar year 2019. Although it could be considered as the voting location for Ward 5B in the future I don’t believe it is wise to consider it during the construction phase. I have been in contact with Rollstone Congregational Church on the lower Main Street which could serve as a voting location for both 5A and 5B because it is adjacent to both precincts That discussion has been postponed temporarily due to the fact that I am out with an injury. It is my intention to resume that discussion when I return.
The council will be seeing more communication from me on this when I return. 
Anna"

Help reduce litter! Stop the OVERFLOW!

Help reduce litter! Stop the OVERFLOW!
In an effort to reduce litter in the city, our hauler and the Health Department have teamed to enforce city ordinances regarding overflow of trash and recycling carts.

If the holidays are producing more trash and recycling or you just cannot seem to stay within the limits of the carts, do not overflow your carts at curbside or they will be rejected.

Arrangements for additional disposal options are available and can be arranged by calling the Health Department at 978-829-1870.

Lets work together to keep our great city clean and free of litter and debris!

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Tobacco 21 is here in Fitchburg

Tobacco 21 is here in Fitchburg

Effective January 1, 2019 ,you must be 21 to purchase Tobacco and Nicotine Delivery Products in Fitchburg as per unanimous vote of the Fitchburg Board of Health.

Although the Commonwealth of Massachusetts regulation contains a Grandfather Clause, which allows anyone 18 years of age by January 1, 2019 to purchase these products, the Fitchburg Board of Health recognized the confusion that may be created by this legislation and voted to impose no Grandfathering. 

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Concern for Ward 5 Polling Location at Saima Park

There has been concern regarding the new Ward 5 Polling location at Saima Park on Scott Rd in Ward 5A.
Concerns have included distance to travel, cost of rental (we pay $800/election), transportation to the election location etc.
Please see this correspondence regarding evaluation of alternative sites and reasoning why these sites were not chosen. If you have further suggestions, please share...and for more info, see the entire document packet here.

on WPKZ with Hank Stolz Experience talking Tax Rates & more

Missed yesterday's K-Zone lunchbox with The Hank Stolz Experience and Sam Squailia, Fitchburg City Councilor-at-Large? They discussed everything from voting in Fitchburg, Fitchburg vs Worcester, and new business development. A full community-based hour!

Check it out on our soundcloud here: https://soundcloud.com/k…/12-18-18-the-hank-stolz-experience

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Extreme Weather Advisory - Emergency Shelter Notice

Extreme Weather Advisory - Emergency Shelter Notice 
Due to extreme weather conditions, in the event that all applicable shelter resources are not available, temporary EMERGENCY shelter may be available to individuals who qualify*. 
This service will be in effect for the following time period: 
Begin at 12pm on: Tuesday, December 18, 2018 
End at 10am on: Wednesday, December 19, 2018 
During normal, non-holiday hours, the following agencies are authorized to qualify individual(s)' and provide shelter during this time period:

o Our Father's House 978.345.3050
o MOC Housing & Communlty Services 978,343.5706
o Salvation Army, Fitchburg 978.345.3200
o Gardner CAC 978.632.8700
O Athol Area YMCA 978.249.3305 
o Athol Salvation Army 978.249.8111

•For individuals with minor children

Weeknights after 4:30 pm or on weekends: 
o Our Father's House 978-855·5184

The funding for these services are provided by non-public monies and are provided through the designated entities only.

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ALFA (Adult Learning in the Fitchburg Area) Open for Spring Semester

ALFA (Adult Learning in the Fitchburg Area) classes are open for the spring semester, and there is one winter, too.

You can also become an ALFA teacher if you have something wonderful to offer!

Sign Up here: https://www.fitchburgstate.edu/offices-services-directory/alfa/?fbclid=IwAR0d5oeQJ0_8d_MzZfKwpMnrRloCHiHGHSQ6Dd2ynWo4hYR2Y0rcsF2Okto

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