News from our members
ColBro First Aid & Safety Training, LLC provides comprehensive CPR, First Aid, and Choke-Save training solutions tailored to meet the needs of your staff. Their highly qualified instructors are available to conduct on-site training sessions at your convenience.
Learn More – https://www.training.colbro.com/
Live Music, Food, Drinks, and more are coming to Gardner on June 29th!
The concert will feature a live performance by the band 7 Day Weekend, who have made a name for themselves throughout New England for their energetic stage presence and crowd-pleasing covers of popular tunes from the 80s to the present. The band says they intend to create a lively atmosphere that will have attendees dancing and singing along. They will be performing on the front steps of Gardner City Hall from 7pm to 9pm.
Prior to 7 Day Weekend taking the stage, Brandon Furtado, a new, upcoming musician will showcase his talents from 6pm to 7pm.
Food and beverages will be available for purchase at the concert through the participation of several local food trucks, Tavern 13 who will have a full bar, and Moon Hill Brewing, who will be offering beer and wine. City officials said they intend to make the event a fun way to kick off the summer in the city.
“I’m really looking forward to having the community get together to kick off the summer in this new and fun way,” said Mayor Mike Nicholson, “This is sure to be a fun time for everyone who can join.”
Organizers of the event have advised people bring lawn chairs, picnic blankets, or anything they’d like to enjoy a fun time on the City Hall front lawn.
For more information about this event or future events in Gardner, visit www.gardner-ma.gov or follow us on Instagram @cityofgardner and Facebook, Gardner City Hall.
Through a competitively awarded Massachusetts Downtown Initiative (MDI) grant from the Commonwealth, the city of Fitchburg is collaborating with an economic consultant to better understand the habits, preferences and buying patterns of local residents citywide.
The project aims to generate current data that reflects post-pandemic shopping and dining activities taking place in Fitchburg, with a particular focus on the downtown. Once a series of surveys are completed, consultant Peg Barringer of Fine Point Associates will generate a summary report that analyzes the data and presents findings. This information will be useful to existing Fitchburg businesses who seek to better capitalize on local consumers as customers. It also will be beneficial to incoming new businesses or prospective future ones.
In 2017, Fitchburg first became aware of spending leakage by local consumers to surrounding areas, particularly for dining purchases outside the home, during a yearlong process that led to the city’s Economic Development Strategic Plan. Addressing that leakage by cultivating a stronger dining sector has emerged as an ongoing goal. During the nearly five years since that plan’s approval, the [2020-2022] pandemic period of time proved to represent an unprecedented shift in consumer behaviors. As Fitchburg businesses begin to navigate a post-pandemic landscape, a thorough understanding of local preferences and needs will be quite valuable.
If you are a Fitchburg resident, your input regarding the downtown is an important aspect of this project. By taking just 5 minutes to complete a Fitchburg Resident Survey, your feedback will guide economic development efforts moving forward. The survey can be accessed here – https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/downtownfitch.
The city strongly encourages all local residents to participate in this confidential, online survey.
The City of Fitchburg announces the Fitchburg Public Library will complete a robust renovation and expansion in a continuation of the next phase of the city’s redevelopment of the Main Street corridor.
The project is expected to begin later this year and will serve the city in new and traditional ways by providing a more flexible, welcoming, and sustainable facility for people to build a sense of community.
“The Fitchburg Public Library is the centerpiece of Main Street providing free enrichment to our residents for generations,” said Mayor Stephen L. DiNatale. “This project is ambitious and essential to the future of our city as a learning and innovation hub while drawing people downtown and providing economic, social, and cultural benefits to enhance the quality of life for all in the city.”
“Public libraries are recognized as the most trusted of institutions and are a key resource for enabling people to work and learn more efficiently while narrowing the digital divide by providing essential computer and electronic resources,” said Fitchburg Public Library Executive Director Deborah Hinkle. “The renovations and expansion will create an environment where programming for children, teens, and adults can take place simultaneously in a bright, comfortable, and safe space.”
The project will encompass two major changes, including the renovation of the existing Wallace Building, which was first built in 1967, and the creation of an entirely new and enlarged Youth Library and meeting room wing. The library will offer a Teen Room, a new Community Room to replace the current auditorium, several smaller meeting rooms, a Learning Lab, a Makerspace, improved access to the library collections, various seating areas throughout the building to study and engage, and more accessible, improved parking.
Funding for the $40 million project will be provided through a variety of funds, including a $12.5 million total grant award from the Massachusetts Board of License Commissioners (MBLC) through the Massachusetts Public Library Construction Program. Additional funding will come from a combination of the City of Fitchburg’s American Rescue Plan Act funding, which will provide $12 million, and the City of Fitchburg will provide $12 million as part of the city’s capital budget of which the library is included. The final $3.5 million will be provided via an upcoming capital campaign
All proceeds will benefit GAAMHA facilities, repairs and updates, to our buildings.
Enjoy a great day of golf and help support GAAMHA!
The tournament will feature:
Tournament round with prizes
Longest Drive and Closest to the Pin Contests
Raffles and Scratch Tickets
Lunch and Dinner provided
More surprises
We hope to see you all there!
JUNE 8 @ 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Join Northern Worcester County Landlord Association for our monthly meeting, this month we will hear from sponsor Attorney Mark Burrell, and explain what you need to know about 30-day non-payment regulations.
Mark Burrell is a seasoned Landlord/Tenant attorney and has the unique perspective to look at your situation from the eyes of the defendant’s attorney. In addition to knowing the ins and outs of what to look for in possible glitches to your legal process and documents that may trip us up as landlords; Attorney Burrell is a great storyteller and we are sure you will be entertained at this event.
Meetings are open to the public! Zoom tickets are $10. Zoom meeting information will be provided the day of the event. First-time in-person visitors can attend for $20 per person to “check us out,” with dinner included. If they decide to join, the $20 will be applied to an NWCLA membership, or sponsorship of choice, that night. Become a member and the annual dues pay for all 10 meetings a year!
Sue Christensen from the Fitchburg Health Department Outreach & Prevention welcomed the guests and introduced the following individuals who gave remarks: Elizabeth Walsh, Constituent Services Director, Office of Senator John J. Cronin; Rebecca Hess, Legislative Aide, Office of State Representative Michael Kushmerek and Sally Cragin, City Councilor and Director of BePawsitive Therapy Pets and Community Education. Member of the Fitchburg Police Department Community Outreach Team were also acknowledged.
The attendance by two therapy dogs from BePAwsitive Therapy Pets and Community Education was a highlight to the day. A resource table will remain in the lobby of City Hall through May 31, 2023. From 11am-1pm daily, a representative will be present to answer questions and provide resource information, courtesy of the Massachusetts Department of Mental Health, Compass Clubhouse and Community Health Connections. Compass Clubhouse has provided green ribbons that can be worn to symbolize support of mental health awareness and residents are encouraged to stop by and to pick up a ribbon.
Brent A. Mathews, Senior Vice President Commercial Lender, Main Street Bank
Main Street Bank is excited to announce Brent Mathews has joined the commercial lending team as Senior Vice President Commercial Lender, effective May 15, 2023.
In this role, Brent provides loans to businesses for growth and recapitalizations with special expertise in acquisitions by privately owned companies, private equity groups, family offices and independent sponsors.
“Specializing in supporting businesses through acquisitions and recapitalizations allows me to participate in the creation of significant personal wealth for business owners,” says Brent. “I enjoy being able to deliver focused, value-added solutions that allow businesses to transition between generations and types of owners.”
Since 2003, Brent has experience working across different credit products including factoring, private label credit cards, owner-occupied commercial real estate, and asset-based lending. Most recently, he led the Sponsor Finance team at BankProv financing acquisitions by lower middle market private equity groups across the United States. A graduate of the University of Virginia, Brent has a BS in Aerospace Engineering and an MBA from the Darden School. Brent resides in Norwood, MA with his wife and three children, and is a member of the Association for Corporate Growth and USA 500 Clubs.
For commercial lending-related questions or assistance, Brent can be contacted directly at 617-835-4812 or at .
About Main Street Bank
Main Street Bank is a locally run, independent mutual savings institution serving the MetroWest and northern Middlesex communities of Massachusetts. They are united under a culture that strives every day to contribute to our communities by providing customer-focused, innovative products and services for individuals, families, local businesses, and community organizations since 1860, with particular attention to education and financial wellbeing. With branch offices in the MetroWest and North Middlesex region, Main Street Bank provides an extensive array of financial services and products for all personal and business life stages. To learn more, visit BankMainStreet.com.
Winner of the Fran Longton Award for Volunteerism, Angele Goss (left), stands with Fran Longton, retired UWNCM Volunteer Center Manager and Tim Smith, Senior Vice President, CFO and Treasurer of Workers Credit Union.
Community Celebration Event recognizes efforts of community members and partners to strengthen North Central Massachusetts
United Way of North Central Massachusetts (UWNCM) recently recognized local individuals, businesses and organizations for making a difference in the region at their Community Celebration event on Wednesday, May 9. More than 150 guests gathered at Wachusett Mountain Ski Area to celebrate the UWNCM community network, which served over 170,000 individuals in North Central Massachusetts last year.
The event featured award and scholarship presentations, networking opportunities and games and activities. Event sponsors included Athol Savings Bank, Avidia Bank, Bemis Associates, Enterprise Bank and Trust, Fidelity Bank, NMDesignz, Rollstone Bank and Trust and Sterilite.
The award ceremony kicked off with the Legacy Partnership Award, given to 15 businesses that have partnered with UWNCM for more than 30 years to serve the local community.
Recipients included Anderson, Bagley & Mayo Insurance, Aubuchon Hardware, Banner Mold & Die, Bemis Associates, Enterprise Bank & Trust, Fidelity Bank, IC Federal Credit Union, Johnson Controls, Leominster Credit Union, Main Street Bank, Rollstone Bank & Trust, Sterilite Corporation, Unitil, Winchendon Furniture, and Workers Credit Union.
Next, UWNCM recognized winners of the Spirit of North Central MA Award for Corporate Leadership, given to businesses in three regions that exemplify charitable workplace excellence: Kimball Cooke Insurance Agency for the Athol/Gardner Region; the North Central Chamber of Commerce for the Twin Cities Region; and Workers Credit Union for the Nashoba Region.
Additionally, the Boys & Girls Club of Lunenburg received the award for Community Impact for their commitment to helping the most vulnerable members the our community by providing a continuum of services to children and families; and Angele Goss received the Fran Longton Award for Volunteerism in honor of her impressive volunteer efforts ranging from serving on the UWNCM Board of Directors to taking photos at the UWNCM Day of Caring.
Finally, two local students were presented with scholarships through the United Way Youth Venture program. Gray Dallaire and Kaitlyn Perrault, both seniors at Leominster High School, were recognized for their creative problem solving and leadership skills displayed while carrying out Youth Venture projects that tackled pressing problems in the community.
UWNCM President Kory Eng says that UWNCM was thrilled to bring community members together to celebrate their shared impact, stating, “We appreciate the opportunity to thank our corporate partners, volunteers, and our network of social services agencies for all they do to move our mission forward.”
The United Way of North Central Massachusetts serves the communities of Ashburnham, Ashby, Athol, Ayer, Devens, Fitchburg, Gardner, Groton, Harvard, Hubbardston, Leominster, Littleton, Pepperell, Lunenburg, Petersham, Phillipston, Royalston, Shirley, Templeton, Townsend, Westminster and Winchendon.
Left to Right: Suzanne Dupre, EVP Chief Human Resources and Diversity Officer; Jeff Tucker, EVP Strategy and Risk; Ellen Dorian, President and Chief Operating Officer; Walter Dwyer, Chief Executive Officer; Christopher Seidlich, EVP Chief Financial Officer
MARLBOROUGH, MA – Main Street Bank has announced that they will be upgrading their banking technology, performing branch renovations at select locations, and moving their back-office Operations center from downtown Marlborough to 26 Forest Street, Marlborough. These updates are in the interest of providing a better customer experience. Alongside these updates, Main Street Bank will be keeping all branch staff, including tellers, to provide exceptional in-person service combined with enhanced technology and updated buildings. All Main Street Bank locations will continue to offer personalized service, assistance from live bankers, and access to cash at the teller lines and ATMs.
The technology upgrade will give bank customers and employees access to an improved banking system, including updated online and mobile banking interfaces with enhanced services. Enhancements for customers will include: a simple and clean mobile and online banking look; a Personal Financial Management tool for budgeting; and a new rewards-based consumer checking account. Additionally, this upgrade will allow Main Street Bank the flexibility to build on new features and technology. Find more details about this technology upgrade by visiting www.BankMainStreet.com/technology-upgrade.
While unrelated to the technology updates, the changes in branch and office locations will allow Main Street Bank to better serve their customers and employees. The branch renovations in Pepperell, MA and Ayer, MA, will maximize the existing space while keeping all branch staff available to assist customers in person. Renovations are expected to be complete by early 2024. The move of the back-office Operations center in Marlborough is in response to the bank’s growth and expanding career opportunities for both current employees and new hires. As a result, additional space and flexibility is needed to accommodate our teams. This move will also allow the bank to keep certain departments working together in the same space to ensure a better overall customer experience.
The bank is committed to supporting downtown Marlborough through contributions to the Marlborough Public Library renovation project, the local food pantry, and the Mayor’s Charity Relief Fund. Additionally, Main Street Bank’s headquarters on 81 Granger Boulevard in Marlborough will continue to serve downtown Marlborough with the same access and hours, including Video Connect video banking that can be used from anywhere.
Main Street Bank employees come together to test and train on the newest banking technology to better serve our customers.
Main Street Bank continues to put the needs of their communities first: “By investing in the infrastructure of both our technology and our buildings, we are committing to being accessible to our customers and communities,” comments Walter Dwyer, CEO of Main Street Bank. “We are also keeping our most important resource – our people. You will continue to have direct access to our employees when you need them.”
For community banks, investing in technology and buildings is critical to continue meeting the evolving needs of consumers. In addition, improvements to infrastructure will benefit the surrounding communities, and provide a more efficient work environment for bank employees that will allow them to better serve their customers. Ellen Dorian, President and COO of Main Street Bank, elaborates on some of the reasons for the upgrade.
“Upgrading our technology allows for more efficiency for both our customers and employees. With gained efficiency, we can pass cost savings onto you and all our customers in the forms of faster service, improved products, and competitive interest rates. We pride ourselves on making every customer feel like our only customer, and we are committed to delivering that experience.”
Main Street Bank’s technology upgrade is scheduled for live release on May 8th, 2023. The back-office Operations center move is scheduled to occur between June and August 2023.
Main Street Bank is a locally run, independent mutual savings institution serving the MetroWest and northern Middlesex communities of Massachusetts. They are united under a culture that strives every day to contribute to our communities by providing customer-focused, innovative products and services for individuals, families, local businesses, and community organizations since 1860, with particular attention to education and financial wellbeing. With branch offices in the MetroWest and North Middlesex region, Main Street Bank provides an extensive array of financial services and products for all personal and business life stages. To learn more, visit www.BankMainStreet.com