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Fitchburg Supertintendent's Discussion on the State's Foundation Budget

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I joined in to Fitchburg State University tonight with fellow councilor Walsh and many other elected officials tonight for the Fitchburg Public SchoolsDiscussion on the State's Foundation Budget in the Community of Fitchburg.
I live tweeted the responses @samsquailia & I will copy the tweet/photos here and post stats below:
**349:490 Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents a gap of 141 teachers needed in Fitchburg Public Schools not able to be afforded due to high Special Ed and Health Insurance spending unaccounted for in the Foundation Budget
**384:504 Leominster has a 120 teacher gap in needed teachers per fndn budget unable to be funded due to high spending needs in health insurance and special education spending Leominster Public Schools
** Gardner Mass Superintendent "Arts & Music & Guidance Counselors often first to be cut from school programming due to limited resources req'd to be spent on Health Insurance and Special Education" "The budget should be driven by the education, but too often the education is driven by the budget" "Students that come from poverty need additional services" "Our largest issue is poverty"
** Lunenburg, MA Public Schools have a $2.3M gap in Special Ed Budget, and a $2.3M gap in Health Insurance budget, requiring cuts in teacher funding, books and other funds
** Winchendon, Massachusetts actual staffing needs for Special Education far exceeds the allotment by the Foundation Budget. Top right graphs.
**"When I see the resources wealthy communities can provide their students, I am disheartened...it's discriminatory what the State is doing" -Mother of 4 in Public Schools
**Call to action: "What emerges...is that the Commonwealth has a duty to provide an education for all its children, rich and poor, in every city and town...at the public school level, and this duty is designed...to serve the interest of the children..."
** Increase in Chapter 70 funding to our local school budgets with full funding of the FBRC: Heslth Insurance, Special Ed, ELL and Low Income subsidy. @FitchburgPS @FitchburgMass would receive $12.8M additional to our school budget

I highly recommend watching the Superintendent Forum on Education Spending ---and the discussion on the need in increases in the budget for equal education for students in Massachusetts.
School spending and need for additional resources were discussed and represented by Leominster, Fitchburg, Gardner, Lunenburg, Worcteser, Framingham, Winchendon, Clinton, Ayer-Shirley and more.

FATV recorded the event, you can watch it here:

Public Education Funding Information Update. January 8. 2019 Fitchburg State University

 
 

I discussed the Bill and the end of the session with Senator Tran a couple months ago for more background info, starts around 31:30 minutes:

 
 

Become a Fitchburg Police Officer!

Serve your community with Pride, become a Fitchburg Police Officer! Sign up to take the exam by February 5th, 2019 to avoid the late fee. Municipal police officer exam will be on March 23rd, 2019
You must be a US Citizen, HS Diploma or GED, be between 19-31 years of age, & must reside in Fitchburg between 3/23/ to 3/23/19.

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Civil Service examination schedule

Police, correction officer and firefighter exams, including entry level, promotional level and military makeup.
https://www.mass.gov/service-details/civil-service-examination-schedule?fbclid=IwAR0GwcUA6F7jVPb6eTaWBDuTzmEByOQmXvUQOtUqMFIFTdKYOhGZ8Fm2SlU

BYOB Discussion Continued

February 20th 2019
BYOB Update: On this week's agenda of the License Commission, once again, is a continued discussion of the proposed BYOB regulations.
Wednesday February 20th, 6pm at Fitchburg Fire Station Downstairs Community Room, 33 North St.

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Live Streaming of the 1.7.2019 License Commission Meeting

 
 

Some businesses that could be affected by proposed regulations that allow patrons to bring their own alcoholic beverages to drink on site are looking for answers at the Board of License Commissioner's next meeting, (Monday January the at 6pm at the Fitchburg Fire Dept downstairs mtg room, 33 North St. Open to the Public.)

"We would like information," said Stacey Sparrow, owner of Art on the Rocks studio at Parkhill Plaza. "We really have not been informed on the subject."
She said the proposed rules could close the business or cause it to relocate outside of Fitchburg.

Sparrow plans to come to a Monday meeting with questions for the commission, like what its members think about concerns from businesses and when regulations could go into effect.

The commission drafted an ordinance that would require businesses to obtain a $100 license for BYOB and set limits, including what type of establishments are eligible for a permit, when the practice would be allowed, type of alcohol, and size of drinks people can bring.

Only businesses with on-premise dining with table service and a wait staff that don't have an alcohol license would be eligible for a BYOB license under the regulations.

They would also require licensees to have liquor liability insurance and all employees of the licensed establishment to receive safe alcohol service training.

http://www.sentinelandenterprise.com/news/ci_32367978/thinking-drinks

Live streaming video of October 15th,2018 License Commission Meeting BYOB regulation discussion

Proposed Fitchburg BYOB Regulations compared to Boston’s current BYOB Regulations.

Oct 11, 2018: Police Related BYOB incidents in Fitchburg:
I submitted to the Fitchburg Police Dept a Public Records Request for the amount of incidents related to Alcohol in the past 10 years for BYOB establishments....and then all Alcohol related incidents for Bar/Restaurants with a pouring license. Here are the results for BYOB.
10 years...the amount of incidents related to BYOB establishments...2.
The amount of incidents at Pouring Establishments....445.

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Update from November 7th, 2018 Continued License Commission BYOB Discussion

I attended this evening's 11/7/18 License Commission meeting to be able to report the discussion on BYOB regulations after the public hearing was held a few weeks ago. I'll report random views and statements from Commissioners here.
📒Daniel Sarefield: "We've received some comments from the public, I wouldn't call them statistically significant, since only 20 people came...but they were a representative sample of certain individuals..."
"Many of the people that spoke were concerned about BYOB businesses that had a common victaullers license, that's an issue that is certainly up for discussion. In addition to that, the timeframe we had specified (5-11pm) and the amount of alcohol (64oz) and the types of alcohol (wine & beer only) were issues that were indicated to us in various communications" "The fee also is something we needs to pare down" 
They are also waiting on the City Solicitor for the suggestion on the required liquor liability.
📒 Donna Pawlak: She started by noting that she thinks most people thought the license fee was a fundraising measure...and she believes is not the case. She noted that while most people were supportive of the BYOB--that 2 people, that owned licensed pouring establishments, that refused to speak publicly because they were planning to speak against---but were 'overwhelmed with everything that was taking place", and wished to remain anonymous with Pawlak., spoke about how unfair it was that they had to pay for liability "it's a huge cost to them, and a huge cost to make sure their staff is TIPS certified...and they thought it was unfair that BYOB establishments didn't have to do any of that." She then notes that the police report showing 2 incidents in 10 years at 6 locations did not include 'the motorcycle place on Ashby state rd' or 'Saima park', "so i would agree with the chief that we need to have a list of places that are doing it, because we aren't even tracking those places...so if someone leaves Saima park...so those places should be added to the city of fitchburg statistics.." she then notes a former city employee telling her they do BYOB at Cleghorn House of Pizza....but she's not certain of that. So if someone leaves there...no one is thinking to stop them..."
📒Daniel Sarefield: "At face value, the info the Capt was able to gather indicated that there had been TWO instances (in 10 years for 6 establishments) at a BYOB business...you can't say nothings ever happened anywhere--that's simply false. The fact that we are not collecting info, and we are not regulating this in some way, I think there is a cause for us to be concerned about it, it's our obligation to address this and i think there are things that were conveyed at the meeting that were totally legitimate, we can make accommodations based on what we heard that make it possible for some of those business to continue to practice BYOB as long as it is done so in a legal manner--I think if we do nothing we continute to have the same problem that we have--that we don't know where this is happening, the police don't know where this is happening, and so if there are problems its going to take us that much longer to figure out where and what they are and that is a danger...it is our obligation and we cannot ignore it." 
🥂Daniel Sarefield: "I know that many of the folks who talked about the TIPS certification and how much it was going to cost them---frankly I'm not convinced by that-- the rest of these businesses that have to have certification, they pass that expense onto their employees---businesses don't pay for that, employees pay for that themselves, that's not a burden on them, if they need to be TIPS certified, they'll make their employees pay for that...and so the ONLY cost that is going to be involved here would be whatever amount would be necessary to process the info at the city clerks office and liability insurance which would protect them and the city if something went wrong"
--BYOB discussion to be continued to 1st meeting in January 2019.


10.15.18- Businesses to license board: Put a lid on BYOB proposal in Fitchburg

Residents and business owners packed a public hearing of the License Commission Monday to decry a draft policy to regulate "bring your own bottle" service in the city.

"BYOB is our bread and butter, it's how I pay my mortgage, and it's how I feed my children," said Stacey Sparrow, owner of Art on the Rocks, a business where patrons can bring their own alcohol beverages while taking art classes in groups.

Sparrow was one of over 20 people who said they oppose a draft policy released by the License Commission pertaining to BYOB.

Under the terms of the draft regulations, only restaurants that offer table service would be permitted to allow BYOB.

Currently, the city is home to at least six BYOB businesses, including some that do not serve meals like Putnam Street Lanes bowling alley and Sparrow's Art on the Rocks.

Sparrow told commissioners the proposed requirement to limit the practice of BYOB to restaurants with table service would put them out of business, as Art on the Rock's location in Parkhill Plaza doesn't have a commercial kitchen.


Read more:http://www.sentinelandenterprise.com/breakingnews/ci_32209372/businesses-license-board-put-lid-byob-proposal-fitchburg#ixzz5brAkqIYa

Fitchburg's newest Golf Business Birdies Golf Junior Golf Clinics

Fitchburg's newest Golf Business Birdies Golf is hosting Free Weekly Junior Golf Clinics (Ages 8-14) starting Sat Jan 12th at 10am and 11am.
Pre-registration is required, limit of 6 per clinic.
Pregister at golf-birdies.com or call 978-516-6985.
Located at 68 Airport Rd, @FitchburgMass

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How do I dispose of expired Fire Extinguishers?

Question from resident: How do I dispose of expired Fire Extinguishers? Does the Fitchburg Fire Department Accept Dropoffs?

Answer from the Fitchburg Fire Department: The Fire Dept does not accept dropoffs. You can wait for the free Hazardous Waste dropoff days, (4) per year in June/November. Or Liberty Supply Inc.​ at 195 Hamilton Street in Leominster will take old fire extinguishers. They charge $10.00 to dispose of them.

----Notes from the Board of Health:

If they are empty and they are open with no pressure, they can go in the trash.

Not empty they can go to the HHW waste day on June 22 at the landfill.

I would call Frank Sepiol in advance at WM (413)519-3916 if there is a charge for these at the event

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Curbside Trash Cart Overflow--- Working on solutions.

Question to Residents: Working on solutions to the curbside overflow trash cart problem. Curbside 64gal trash pickup is currently a free weekly service.
The current best option for overflow is an additional trash cart at $100/yr.
If the City lowered the cost of the 2nd trash cart to say $50/yr... would you opt for a 2nd cart to handle overflow?
--- Overflow bags (Yellow City Bags) were discussed as messy looking, easily breakable, and cost ineffective for automated trucks.
To compare:
---Fitchburg, MA offers Curbside 64gal trash pickup as a free weekly service & offers $100/yr for an additional 64gal trash cart for curbside pickup.
---Gardner, MA charges $200/yr. for Single Family/Apartment for trash carts and offers $3.50 overflow trash bags.
---Leominster, MA offers Curbside 64gal trash pickup as a free weekly service & offers $3.00 overflow trash bags.
---Westminster, MA has no municipal run curbside trash collection. Residents can bring trash to dispose at the Landfill at no charge.
---Lunenburg, MA charges per bag for curbside pickup. $1.25/13 gal, $2.55/33 gal, or $4.06/40 gal.
---Townsend, MA offers free curbside pickup of 64gal max trash bins and offers $3.50 overflow trash bags.
---Ashby has no municipal run curbside trash collection. Residents can bring trash to dispose at the ARCTS for $4.00 per 33 gal bag.
---Ashburnham has no municipal run curbside trash collection. Residents can must purchase stickers to place on their bags and bring to the Transfer Station at $5 per 32-35gal.

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Addiction Treatment Options

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For AA & NA Meetings at the First Parish Church, 923 Main St, Fitchburg See the January schedule here:

For AA & NA Meetings at the First Parish Church, 923 Main St, Fitchburg See the January schedule here:

Addiction Treatment Options: Do you have questions about addiction treatment?
Wednesday Feb 6th from 4-6:30pm at CHC 326 Nichols Rd, Fitchburg, MA
Free and Open to the Public
For more info call 978-829-1854
4:30pm Narcan training and distribution
****The next Narcan training and distribution to be held on Tuesday, January 15, 2019 at 5:30 pm at Community Health Connections. No pre-registration is required and all are welcome.

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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"