News from our members
This April 19th Westborough, MA Retailer Summit will reinforce that brick-and-mortar will remain the dominant revenue-generating channel. But you’ll need to identify and respond to the shoppers’ needs. Learn what you need to do as a retailer to stay relevant to your customers and be a profitable, vital retail business. CLICK HERE to Register
The Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) has issued a Request for Expressions of Interest (RFEI) for four historic properties located across the Commonwealth that have been made available as part of the agency’s Historic Curatorship Program. The program offers the unique opportunity for private entities seeking to partner with the state to rehabilitate, reuse and maintain a historic property in exchange of a permit or long term lease. The properties include the 1847 Gatehouse at Lake Cochituate State Park in Wayland, the c. 1800 Farmhouse and Barn at Lake Wyola State Park in Shutesbury, the 1903 Superintendent’s House at Mt. Wachusett State Reservation in Princeton*, and the 1903 Officer’s Quarters at Ft. Revere in Hull.
“The Historic Curatorship Program demonstrates an innovative and entrepreneurial approach to preserving the history and culture of our park system,” said DCR Commissioner Leo Roy. “These four properties are significant to the agency, their local communities, and the Commonwealth. Lack of an active use and damage caused by vandalism and the elements threaten these important resources, and through the Historic Curatorship Program, DCR hopes to find partners with the right combination of expertise, resources and passion to bring these landmarks back to life.”
DCR is not calling for formal proposals at this time, but is issuing a Request for Expressions of Interest (RFEI) to present the four properties and the program to the general public, gauge general interest in the potential opportunity, and collect information to guide the development of formal Requests for Proposals. DCR looks to use this solicitation to identify creative reuses that will provide, first and foremost, for the preservation of the historic resource, but also encourages creative ideas that balance practical concerns with historic preservation standards. While the program requires public access to the property twice a year, DCR encourages reuse ideas that include other public benefits beyond the twice annual requirement.
Responses to the RFEI are due on Wednesday, March 9, 2016 by 3:00PM.
The properties represent a broad range of architecture, significance, and settings: The Greek Revival Cochituate Gatehouse is a small granite structure that marked the starting point of Boston’s pioneering regional water system; the Shingle-style Wachusett Superintendent’s House was one of the first buildings built by the State for park use and sits in the shadow of one of Massachusetts’ iconic peaks; the Queen Anne Officer’s Quarters at Ft. Revere was part of a nationwide military construction program designed to fortify America’s coasts; and the Federal-inspired Farmhouse and Barn at Lake Wyola served travelers and guests as a nineteenth century inn, and later as a vacation resort.
The RFEI describes the submission requirements and provides information on the properties and the program, including an estimate of rehabilitation costs that would fall under the responsibility of a future user. Responses to the RFEI should briefly describe the respondent’s proposed reuse concept, experience, and feasibility plan. Respondents will be added to the mailing list in anticipation of the release of a formal Request for Proposals.
Established in 1994, the Historic Curatorship Program matches some of the Commonwealth’s significant historic resources with outside partners interested in providing rehabilitating and maintenance services in exchange for a long-term lease. Since the program’s inception, over $16 million in private funds has been leveraged toward the preservation of some of the state’s unused but significant historic properties. This total represents $7 of private funding for every $1 of state funds invested. The program has become a national model, inspiring other government entities to add this innovative public-private partnership to their preservation toolbox.
To date, nineteen properties have been preserved under the program, from the mountains of Berkshire County to the urban streets of Dorchester, from the banks of the Merrimack River to the shores of Cape Cod. Current uses for the properties include single-family homes, artist lofts, nonprofit groups, and events and lodging facilities. Successful curators are able to leverage their own ‘sweat equity’ towards the preservation and management work.
For electronic copies of the RFEI, as well as more details on the Historic Curatorship Program, visit DCR’s website. For hard copies of the documents or more information on the program, send an e-mail to HCP.Requests@state.ma.us, call 617-626-1361, or write to Historic Curatorship Program, Department of Conservation and Recreation, 7th floor, 251 Causeway St., Boston, MA 02114.
*Estimated baseline project costs for the 1903 Superintendent’s House at Mt. Wachusett State Reservation are $400-500K with a 30-40 year building lease. The cost of the historic renovations will replace payments for the lease.
Leominster Credit Union, Phoenix Park and Workers’ Credit Union have stepped up as early sponsors for the upcoming “Dueling Pianos” on April 1 to help raise funds benefiting the projects of Habitat for Humanity North Central MA.
First a fundraiser to help support a building project under way in Ayer that is co-led by the Ayer Local Project Committee, the Friday evening event at the Bull Run Restaurant in Shirley also promises much fun, laughter, and a general good time.
With generosity, LCU has pledged sponsorship of the evening’s reception and Workers’ Credit Union and Phoenix Park are community partners for the event.
To purchase tickets or for more information about becoming a sponsor for the event, please visit Habitat’s website at www.ncmhabitat.org. Tickets are also available through the Bull Run Restaurant’s website. The Bull Run Restaurant is located at 215 Great Road, Rte 2A in Shirley.
Tickets are $65 per person for Dinner and the Show -OR- $30 per person for the show only. The Dinner and Show package includes a three-course plated dinner with choice of Prime Rib or Pan-seared Salmon, premium seating for the show and a cash bar. Dinner will be served at 6:00pm. A Cocktail Hour with cash bar for “Show Only” patrons will begin at 7:00pm. The show starts at 7:30pm. In addition, a silent auction will be offered at the start of the evening and winners will be announced during the show’s intermission.
Habitat for Humanity NCM offers a hand up, not a hand out, to hard-working, low-income central MA families seeking affordable homeownership. Celebrate April Fool’s Day with a night of entertainment while supporting a great cause. All proceeds from the event will benefit the work of Habitat for Humanity North Central MA, bringing affordable housing to those in need throughout the organization’s 25 towns and cities in the region.
A special Journey for a Cure Event will be held to support the American Cancer Society Relay For Life®. The event will be held in Clinton MA and will provide everyone the opportunity do their part and take personal action in the fight against cancer.
Entertainment will be provided by The Great Escape, A Journey Tribute Band. Learn more about the band at http://www.thegreatescapemusic.com Tickets are $15.00. Advance tickets maybe purchased 2 for $25.00 and they include food/snacks. We will also have raffles, t-shirts, and luminaries for sale throughout the night.
Last year Leominster Credit Union Warriors and Willie’s Warrior’s were one of top Fundraisers and raised over $5,000.00 for the event. The event will be held at Breakaway Billiards in Clinton MA on Saturday, April 9th at 8pm.
Anyone desiring to “fight back” may do so by participating in our event or by visiting our website at www.willieswarriors.org Many local business have reached out supporting this cause. Events like this cannot happen with out their help. Please visit our website for a list of our sponsors. Attending the event or making a donation helps the American Cancer Society achieve its mission of saving lives by helping people stay well, by helping people get well, by finding cures, and by fighting back against the disease.
The event will be hosted by Willie’s Warriors. An organization created by Lydia Vazquez Long who currently resides in Boylston MA. She created the group to remember her father, Wilfredo Vazquez- Pol who lost his 10 year battle against cancer on April 8, 2010. This event marks the 6th year anniversary of his death. Several other “Warriors”, all local members of the community, are remembered through this group.
See our website and facebook page to learn more about our Willie’s Warriors. Information about purchasing tickets is available by calling 508-414-7421, Online, at Breakaway Billiards in Clinton, Leominster Credit Union Main Office in Leominster or Ciccone Family Fitness in Clinton MA. Tickets can also be purchased from any Willie’s Warrior Team Member.
pss is happy to announce that Pioneer Motor Group and Gardner Five Star Auto went live on March 1, 2016 using our NightOwl product. Welcome to the NightOwl Family!
For more information, visit www.pssmobilety.com
Aspiring scientists, medical professionals, engineers and mathematicians were among the crowd of area high school students who attended Mount Wachusett Community College’s third annual STEM Awareness Day promoting academic programs and careers in the fields of science, technology, engineering and math.
Nearly 90 high school seniors from Fitchburg, Leominster, Oakmont, Montachusett Reginal Vocational Technical, Gardner, North Middlesex and Mahar high schools attended the half-day event on March 4. Activities included a hard hat tour of the college’s new STEM building, which opens this fall, an experiment creating DNA necklaces from their own saliva, an overview on healthcare careers and academic programs, and presentations on fire science technology, manufacturing, and college success.
Janice Barney, Dean of MWCC’s School of Business, Science, Technology and Math teamed up with Associate Vice-President of Facilities Management Jon Wyman to lead groups of students through the new building. The 44,000-square-foot addition to the main campus will house state-of-the-art classrooms and science laboratories that will be central to academic programs such as allied health, biology, biotechnology, chemistry, medical laboratory science, computer information systems, natural resources, nursing, physical therapist assistant, physics and pre-engineering.
While cycling through the stations, many of the students shared their excitement and experiences through social media, posting photos and comments on Twitter using the college’s #MWCC hashtag and the event hashtag #takeiton.
That’s how Twitter followers learned that Oakmont senior Jon Chernock will graduate high school this spring with a full year of college courses already completed as a dual enrollment student at MWCC. “I’ll have one year of classes done, then complete my degree in physics at MWCC before transferring to UMass to major in physics,” he said.
In addition to showcasing academic and career opportunities, the event served to raise awareness about the college’s STEM Starter Academy, funded through a grant from the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education, and the STEM SET scholarship program, funded through a grant from the National Science Foundation.
The college is currently recruiting students for its seven-week STEM Starter Academy summer program, which begins July 5. Participating students will receive up to two free college courses, textbooks, up to $1,200 in stipends, academic support and tutoring, and will attend industry field trips and MWCC’s Summer Leadership Academy.
MWCC’s STEM Starter Academy students have gone on to transfer to public and private colleges and universities to continue on for their bachelor’s degrees, including Carnegie Melon, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, University of Massachusetts campuses, MCPHS University, and others.
For more information about the STEM Starter Academy and academic programs at MWCC, visit http://mwcc.edu/takeiton or contact the admissions office at 978-630-9110 or admissions@mwcc.mass.edu.
The Mount Wachusett Community College Foundation will honor Douglas J. Petersen, president and CEO of Workers’ Credit Union, as the 2016 Harold E. Drake Jr. Citizen of the Year for his leadership and service in the community. He will be recognized during the foundation’s annual celebration on May 25 at MWCC’s Gardner campus.
The Citizen of the Year Award is presented in memory of Harold E. Drake, Jr., treasurer and former president of Royal Steam Heater Co. and Lynde Hardware & Supply, Inc. The award recognizes community members who exemplify Harold Drake’s extraordinary commitment to the North Central Massachusetts region.
“Doug Petersen contributes a tremendous amount of his time, energy and expertise serving the North Central Massachusetts community,” said MWCC President Daniel M. Asquino. “His leadership benefits the residents of our region in numerous ways, and we are proud to honor him as our 2016 Citizen of the Year.”
Mr. Petersen is involved in many professional associations, business ventures and community causes. He serves as chairman of the boards for the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce and the United Way of North Central Massachusetts, and is also a member of the MWCC Foundation board of directors and a member of the HealthAlliance President’s Council.
He said he is honored to be selected to receive an award that has recognized many “important people who have given to the community and been an inspiration to us all. I’m very excited to be a part of that.”
A prominent figure in North Central Massachusetts business circles since joining Workers’ in the mid-1990s, Mr. Petersen was appointed to the top position of the nonprofit financial institution in 2011. The sixth oldest credit union in the country, Workers’ was established in Fitchburg in 1914 to assist Finnish immigrants and has expanded over the past century to 86,000 members. In December, Workers’ announced it reached $1.3 billion in assets under Mr. Petersen’s leadership.
“Workers’ is so active in the community and part of our heritage is to give back to our members,” he said. “One of the ways to give back is to help strengthen the community. From that standpoint, it’s an honor to be able to lend a hand in different areas. It’s very rewarding to help out different organizations that all basically have the same goal of helping others. I’m fortunate to be able to do this because of the tremendous support I receive from the Board of Directors and our 280 employees. Also, it corresponds with who the credit union really is. The credit union is here to improve the daily lives of our members. That’s our core purpose. The opportunity I have to help in the community helps many of our members directly, and all of our members indirectly.”
Among his professional affiliations, Mr. Petersen is the vice chairman of the board of directors for the National Association of Credit Union Service Organizations, and a member of the Massachusetts Advocacy Committee, the board of directors for Student CU Connect LLC, and the board of directors for Member Gateways LLC.
Mr. Petersen earned an MBA in finance and a bachelor’s degree in accountancy from Bentley University. He and his wife, Lisa, live in Brookline, NH and have two children and one grandchild.
Tickets to the annual foundation celebration are $100 per person. The event begins at 5:30 p.m. Reservations are required and may be made by contacting Carla Zottoli at 978-630-9276 or czottoli@mwcc.mass.edu.
