Wallace Towers $10M MODPhase Grant - with Cake!

So glad I could attend today to support our The Fitchburg Housing Authority!! With this money the director said we'll be able to gut many units, provide better heating and modernize our units to allow our elder population to age in place---providing more accessibility for our residents and better living conditions!
Plus---again---there was cake =) 🍰🎂

Fitchburg's Wallace Tower, on Wallace Ave across from the YMCA is getting approx $10.1M from State grants from MODphase (Modernizing Public Housing And Supporting Elders initiative) which launched in 2016 to improve and preserve public housing around the commonwealth.

“It’s a great nexus of public housing and health care,” said Fitchburg Housing Authority Executive Director Douglas Bushman. Bushman said the money will help jump-start several rehabilitation projects that address capital needs and improve accessibility for aging-in-communities at Wallace Tower. “It’s a program that’s going to help senior citizens that live in public housing age in place,” he said. “So they can live their lives in the communities that they love, surrounded by their friends and family.”

The Fitchburg Housing Authority will modernize the 130-unit, high-rise elderly development built in 1973, including upgrading 13 accessible units to current code.

Fitchburg plans to coordinate existing health care programs with new nutritional and socialization programs to promote aging-in-community in this downtown development with access to local amenities.

This year, the state awarded $23.5 million grant funding to housing authorities in Amesbury, Beverly, Chelmsford, Fairhaven, Fitchburg, Lexington, and Lowell.

https://www.sentinelandenterprise.com/2019/12/19/fitchburg-housing-authority-receives-10-million-for-wallace-tower-upgrade

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Salute to outgoing Councilors Clark, Donnelly & Kaddy

At Tuesday's Council Meeting we honored outgoing councilors Clark (absent) Kaddy and Donnelly with clapping and speeches and special proclamations ---and this spiffy group photo =) Combined they had 40+ years of service and experience to the city; Clark serving '06-'20, Donnelly '00- '08 and '16-'20, and Kaddy serving '04-'20. Thanks to them for their service to our city

Crafts with Cops at Art on the Rocks, Fitchburg

Crafts with Cops at Art on the Rocks, Fitchburg with the Fitchburg Police Department!
I painted the Boulder Rock ❤🎄I may have been the oldest kid there 😂
Ornaments courtesy of FPD while supplies last--- til 2pm! Parkhill plaza. Other cool crafts to make for Xmas too.

Breakfast with Santa at McKay

Supported McKay Arts Academy PTO this morning at their Breakfast with Santa event! Had blueberry pancakes, hash browns, sausage, apples, donut and coffee $5 :)
I won a sweet robot lizard from the raffle and got to hear xmas carols and see Santa! Great event 🎄

40th Anniversary celebration of the CJ Durkin Apartments & $500k Grant Award Announcement

I attended the 40th Anniversary celebration of the CJ Durkin Apartments at 50 Day St Fitchburg this week-- What a great gathering of people and a great event ---and bonus... there was cake =D
We celebrated our 40th anniversary of the Durkin Apartments---which are operated by The Fitchburg Housing Authority​ for our Seniors and Disabled population; and 6 family members of CJ Durkin came -- with grandson Judge Thomas Durkin from Vermont and son Thomas H Durkin from Falmouth.
The Housing Authority board attended, Disability commission as well as a representative from MOC, myself as a city councilor and the mayor.
We also celebrated a grant of $500k for the Durkin apartments from DHCD to remodel 9 units for ADA Accessibility, remove hallway barriers and more.

Fitchburg Access Television (FATV)​ attended and recorded the event for broadcast here: https://videoplayer.telvue.com/player/yycCAZPb0NN3zj2o5qio-YFMNC43NjCG/media/531392

"Clarence J. Durkin was born in 1896 and was involved in a plethora of organizations for many years.

After enlisting in the Volunteer Militia in 1913 and later serving in World War I, Durkin married Katherine Shea and had six children.

Durkin served as a commissioner and as chairman of the Fitchburg Housing Authority from 1948 to 1978. As the Labor Representative he was instrumental in establishing that the FHA was to serve veterans, their families, the elderly and disabled of Fitchburg.

He assisted with organizing the Fitchburg Civic Days and its Parade Committee, for which he served as Chief of Staff and Grand Marshal, and was named Fitchburg Citizen of the Year in 1970.

Thomas H. Durkin, Durkin’s son, said his father was both a proud and humble man who never stopped caring about others.

He recalled a winter day when he was 10 years old and his father took him to help a neighbor. After fixing the neighbor’s wood furnace, and on the way home, his father told him about the importance of helping people who are in need.

“This dedication to family, community, and country was a hallmark of his entire career,” he said.

Honorable Judge Thomas Durkin, C. J. Durkin’s grandson, said his grandfather was a leader to his family and to the world. He said there was always a lesson to be learned when you were with him."

Sentinel Article: https://www.sentinelandenterprise.com/2019/12/12/celebrating-40-years-at-c-j-durkin-apartments-with-500000-grant/

Saturday December 7th in Fitchburg

Downtown trees are lit for the season 🎄

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Fitchburg Art Museum Fitchburg Farmers Market vendors farmers and kids ornaments ❤ Grabbed a pic with the girls and Paul DePalo running for our Governors Council. Senator Edward J. Markey joined so tons of people came too 🎉

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St. Joseph Christmas Fair today! I got a Christmas Cactus and got a bunch of raffles I'm soon to win 🍀

Caldwell Home Extended Care Elder Care Services at 10 Prospect St

Today I visited the open house for the Caldwell Home Extended Care Elder Care Services at 10 Prospect St in Fitchburg---right behind First Parish Church of Fitchburg near the Upper Common!
I got the tour of the home from owner Marlaine Young who took a pic with me =) This gorgeous home serves as an extended care living facility---with a more personal approach than a typical nursing home facility.
The rooms are spacious, bright and WARM with gorgeous views to Prospect St and the downtown Fitchburg towards Rollstone Hill. Homecooked meals are provided by the staff and they try to accommodate to the residents tastes---talking about the different spices and ingredients they use to try to relate to their residents memories of their homes.
Residents can bring their own furniture---or the house is fully furnished as no extra charge. They administer medication with a nurse on staff, have dieticians available and practice wound care management. Chair lifts make going up and down the stairs easy--or there are 4 rooms on the first floor available as well. The kitchen is spacious and welcoming.
Caldwell House provides a safe home environment---that does not feel like a hospital---for any senior that is not safe to be home alone, those with dementia or alzeimers, or those in need of hospice or respite care.
The city has recently required many expensive upgrade to the home--including a new fire alarm system with egress lighting and notifications--- and the work is now complete and they are advertising again to offer their services to more residents in the community. They have capacity for 6 more residents. Contact them for a tour if you are interested in a space for your loved one knowing they will be well cared for.

Their website with more information is located here:
https://www.caldwellresthome.com/
(978) 345-5827

About Caldwell Home
Residents of CALDWELL HOME enjoy all the amenities of refined living along with the security of a highly professional and courteous staff. One low monthly rate provides each person with 24 hour personal assistance. There are no hidden or additional charges for extra services, and all of the following services are included:

Medication Administration
24 hour Personal Care, including bathing and dressing
Nutritious, Complete Meal Service
Assistance with Ambulation, as needed
Social and Religious Activities
Laundry Service
Short Term Respite Care
Hospice
Wheelchair Accessible

Our spacious private rooms, some with fireplaces, are available to be furnished with personal items if desired. Family fare is served in our dining room where each residents personal tastes are considered in the planning of our weekly menus. We also feature a wrap-around patio where our residents enjoy the pleasures of outdoors with security and safety.

Our most impressive quality is our size. By serving only 10 residents, we ensure that each person receives ample attention to his/her needs for assistance and socialization. Each resident can feel secure that our caregivers will anticipate his/her personal desires, and keep his/her best interests in mind.

You are invited to call for a personal tour of CALDWELL HOME. Our Administrators/Owners will be happy to discuss your personal needs and our accommodations with you.

Privately Owned and Operated by:
Alice Jercha, R.N.
Marlaine Young

10 Prospect St.
Fitchburg, MA 01420
TEL: (978) 345-5827
FAX: (978) 345-5681

$3M Massworks grant for changing Main Street

Presentation this morning announcing Fitchburg award of $3M Massworks grant for changing Main Street and Boulder Drive to Two-way, one-lane each direction.