Mediation Services of North Central MA seeks community input through a new survey aimed at understanding how you experience and handle conflict.
The confidential survey will help this non-profit organization better serve local communities through their conflict resolution programs. All responses will be aggregated, ensuring individual privacy.
How to Participate
Complete the survey by sharing your honest experiences with conflict in your community. Your insights will directly inform how Mediation Services develops and adapts their programs to meet community needs.
Mediation Services of North Central MA, Inc. (MSI) is part of a statewide initiative working in cooperation with the Massachusetts Office of Public Collaboration to provide free mediation services to landlords and tenants in order to help people in the Commonwealth remain stably housed.
HOUSING AT RISK?
Those struggling with:
Rent
Living Conditions
Getting along with landlords, tenants or others in your building
Are you concerned about speaking directly to others involved? Have you tried communicating, but nothing has gotten resolved? Are you worried about homelessness?
IF SO MSI MAY BE ABLE TO HELP FOR FREE!
ABOUT MEDIATION
Mediation is a VOLUNTARY and CONFIDENTIAL conversation with the assistance of trained neutral mediators The mediators manage the process that gets the parties to focus on what is important to them and how they want to move forward to meet those needs and explore ideas that might work for ALL parties to resolve the conflict.
OTHER INFORMATION:
Referrals are accepted from other agencies, local government, friends, family, individuals in crisis, etc.
Mediations are held either via Zoom or in person and scheduled at a time convenient to the parties.
We DO NOT provide legal advise or representation
Referrals to other resources (i.e. legal aid or financial assistance) may be provided in advance of the mediated conversation
If an agreement is not reached through mediation, legal remedies are still available.
Our agency is a non-profit and has been working with community members for over 30 years providing mediation services and trainings throughout North Central Massachusetts.
Ginny’s Helping Hand is proud to support hundreds of families in need through our Holiday Food Basket program. Each basket is thoughtfully prepared with essential items to help make the holidays special. While the contents may vary, most baskets include a frozen turkey or ham, stuffing, gravy, carrots, potatoes, onions, cranberry sauce, butter, rolls, and ingredients for pie.
How You Can Help
1. Nonperishable Donations: Attached is a graphic listing the nonperishable items we’re collecting for these baskets. To simplify donations, I’ve created an Amazon Wishlist available at https://tinyurl.com/GHHAmazon. Donors can select items to be shipped directly to us, or they can drop off donations at our location: 52 Mechanic St., Leominster.
2. Monetary Donations: If you’d prefer to contribute financially, donations can be made at https://ginnyshelpinghand.org/donate. Every dollar counts and goes directly toward filling these baskets.
3. Distribution Support: To help distribute the baskets—a deeply moving experience for all involved. Key distribution days are November 23rd and December 21st, both from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.. If you’re available, please sign up: https://forms.gle/4UMbqx3ig6C1E2sc8.
4. Food Drive Pickup at Fall Brook Elementary: Fall Brook Elementary School has organized a major food drive to support our efforts! We’ll be picking up their donation on November 22nd at 1:30 p.m. If anyone would like to assist with this pickup, it would be greatly appreciated.
On Friday, November 8, 2024, at 9:00am Mayor Nicholson, State Representative Jon Zlotnik, City Council President Elizabeth Kazinskas, Members of the CAC Board of Directors and other local officials will be meeting at 62 Waterford Street for the Gardner Community Action Committee “CAC” to sign their new lease at the future Community Center on Waterford Street.
In October of 2022, the City’s Administration announced a plan to convert the former Waterford Street School into a new community center to house several non-profits in the City to help improve and expand both the services offered to residents and the collaboration between organizations. Since then, the City, State, and Federal Government have invested in improvements to the building and the construction work at the site in at a point where tenants are now able to enter into lease agreements with the City and begin fitting out their spaces.
The lease provided to the CAC is a Grant Agreement Lease where the City is providing the space to the CAC as an in-kind grant in recognition of the services they provide to the area’s residents in need. The City Council voted to approve this lease at their October 7ta Meeting. The City’s Administration and the CAC have completed negotiations and are ready sign the lease.
The remaining spaces in the building are being advertised for RFP for their use.
The City of Fitchburg announces the renewal of its Fitchburg Community Electricity Aggregation (Fitchburg CEA) program, with new prices for the period December 2024 through December 2027. Fitchburg CEA is a group purchasing program, operated by the City since 2023, which provides electricity supply options to help residents and businesses manage costs and increase renewable energy use. Current participants do not need to take any action to remain in the Fitchburg CEA program and receive the new pricing.
The City is pleased to have secured lower rates for our Fitchburg Community Electricity Aggregation products through December 2027. All products will cost less than the current Unitil’s Basic Service residential supply when the new prices go into effect.
All new Fitchburg CEA prices will be fixed for 36 months, from December 2024 through December 2027. The Fitchburg CEA Program will continue to be served by the supplier, Constellation:
Over 14,000 accounts in City, which includes the vast majority of residents, use the Fitchburg Standard option. They will meet the state renewable energy requirements starting in December 2024. You may switch to another Fitchburg CEA option at any time. To switch options, call our program’s current electricity supplier, Constellation, at (833) 943-0160, or submit a request at FitchburgCEA.com. Income-eligible customers can receive a 40% discount on their entire electricity bill, including the Fitchburg CEA supply prices. You can find a link to sign up for this discount at FitchburgCEA.com.
No action is necessary to receive the new pricing for your current Fitchburg supply option, if listed above. For example, if you currently use Fitchburg Plus, you will automatically receive the new price for Fitchburg Plus listed above. However, if you are currently on the Fitchburg 5 product, it will not be offered in the new contract. Such customers will be automatically transferred to the Fitchburg Standard product, unless they affirmatively select another product.
To check what Fitchburg CEA supply option you currently use, look at the Supply section of your Unitil electricity bill. If you participate in the program, it will include the “Old Price” listed above, or if you use the discontinued Fitchburg 5 product, it will show 17.467 ¢/kWh. FITCHBURG CITY HALL, 718 MAIN STREET, FITCHBURG, MA 01420 | TEL: 978-829-1801 | New prices take effect on your December meter read, which for most of the community is on December 6. The first bill to show the new Fitchburg CEA pricing will be the bill you receive showing usage from your December meter read to January meter read. Most customers can expect to receive this bill in early January 2025.
The City’s current electricity contract has offered fixed prices since March 2023, providing multiple years of price stability. Most participants use the Fitchburg Standard, which has saved about $130 for the typical residential customer over that time. As a reminder, Fitchburg CEA prices only apply to the Supply portion of your electric bill and take effect on your meter read date. Unitil will continue to set the charges on the Delivery on your electric bill and will repair outages and manage all billing. Fitchburg CEA has no impact on any solar benefits, low-income discounts, or budget billing plans.
If you are not currently participating in Fitchburg CEA, you can join any time. To join, submit a request at FitchburgCEA.com. Fitchburg CEA participants may leave the Program at any time, without penalty and return to Basic Service supply with Unitil. To leave the Program, call Unitil at (888) 301-7700, or submit a request at FitchburgCEA.com.
Image Credit: Walter Iooss, Blue Dunk, Lisle, IL, 1987, archival pigment print. Gift from Andrew King, 2020.151.26.
The Fitchburg Art Museum invites the public to attend The G.O.A.T. Gala on Saturday, November 16, 2024.
A Night at the Museum provides support for FAM’s community initiatives, exhibitions, and special programs. This year’s celebration is inspired by the iconic sports photography of Walter Iooss. The Fitchburg Art Museum’s G.O.A.T. Gala celebrates our FAMily and embraces team spirit. Surrounded by photographs of some of the greatest athletes of the 20th century, this lively sports-themed evening is set to be the Greatest of All Time!
To kick off this special evening, the Red Raiders Marching Band and the FHS Cheer Squad will be welcoming attendees in the outdoor FAM Courtyard from 6 to 6:30 pm greeting guests as they arrive. Guests are encouraged to wear cocktail attire in their favorite team’s colors and can pose with props in our FAM photo backdrop. Finicky Fork catering will serve a menu of playful sports–themed appetizers and specialty cocktails will be served (cash bar with each guest receiving one complimentary drink ticket). There will be a Silent Auction where guests can bid on game tickets and sports memorabilia, and a DJ will be playing music in the galleries.
The Museum thanks the G.O.A.T. Sponsors: Country Bank, and Enterprise Bank; M.V.P. Sponsors: Fitchburg State University, ACHLA Designs, Cabot Wealth Management, and Peter Laytin & Paula Callanan; and Rookie of the Year Sponsors: Michael DeMarco & Livia Umpierre, and Legends Grille & Sports Bar for supporting this gala.
Tickets are $40 for Members & $50 for non-members in advance, and $50 for Members & $60 for non-members at the door.
MEM Dance Theatre presents The Nutcracker, a beloved holiday performance that transports audiences of all ages to the enchanting Land of the Sweets. Join Clara, the Sugar Plum Fairy, and a cast of talented local dancers in this timeless production. Performances are on December 7th at 6:00 PM y December 8th at 2:00 PM. Tickets go on sale October 30th at 6:00 PM.
In addition to the public performances, MEM Dance Theatre will offer free showings for local school children, supporting arts education and access within our community.
For those interested in supporting the arts, we also have advertising opportunities available in our Nutcracker program book, distributed to more than 1,500 audience members. This is a unique chance to connect with the community and show support for local arts.
Learn more and secure your ad space by visiting our Message & Ad Form.
The Boys & Girls Club of Fitchburg, Leominster, & Gardner is thrilled to announce the appointment of Natalia Oliver as the new Director of Development. Natalia, an immigrant from Uruguay, brings an extraordinary blend of leadership experience, public service, and event management expertise to the role, where she will focus on advancing the organization’s development efforts.
Natalia’s journey from her early days as an Uruguayan immigrant to becoming a key player in Fitchburg’s civic leadership highlights her commitment to community-building and advocacy for inclusive spaces. Most notably, she served as Chief of Staff for former Fitchburg Mayor Stephen L. DiNatale, where she was instrumental in managing the city’s strategic initiatives, public relations, and community outreach efforts. Natalia’s deep-rooted understanding of collaboration and fundraising in the public sector will be invaluable in her new role at the Boys & Girls Club.
“We are ecstatic to have Natalia join us as Director of Development,” said Elizabeth Coveney, CEO of the Boys & Girls Club of Fitchburg, Leominster, & Gardner. “Her background in public service and event management, along with her ability to connect with diverse stakeholders, will be pivotal in helping us strengthen our relationships with donors and increase our impact across the communities we serve.”
As Chief of Staff to Mayor DiNatale, Natalia played a key role in securing resources for major city projects, spearheading fundraising campaigns, and representing the Mayor’s office at community events and city councils. She brings with her a rich history of cultivating partnerships and managing complex projects. “I am honored to take on the role of Director of Development for the Boys & Girls Club of Fitchburg, Leominster, & Gardner,” said Natalia Oliver. “As an immigrant, I know the importance of having supportive, empowering spaces like the Boys & Girls Club. I am excited to engage with our donors and community partners to ensure that we can continue providing exceptional programs and opportunities for the youth in our area.”
In her new role, Natalia will oversee all aspects of fundraising and donor relations, helping to secure the resources needed to advance the Boys & Girls Club’s mission of empowering youth through education, leadership development, and community engagement.
The Montachusett Regional Planning Commission (MRPC) is compiling information for both the Leominster and Fitchburg Digital Equity Plans. In an effort to reach the business community, we are holding a lunchtime focus group meeting from 12:30-2:30 pm on November 6, 2024. (light lunch will be served) at 464 Abbott Avenue in Leominster.
The City of Gardner was recently awarded the final $3.5 million necessary to complete the reformative Rear Main Street project through the State’s new HousingWorks Grantprogram.
This funding represents a significant achievement for the City’s long-term vision to enhance infrastructure and promote housing growth in our community. This final phase of the Rear Main Street Revitalization Initiative accounts for the construction of a new residential structure, extending utilities to support the residential building, parking infrastructure for the project and additional green space. This initiative is a reflection of the City’s commitment to sustainable growth and improved living conditions for our residents.
“This project is going to make a big difference, not just in the downtown, but across Gardner,” said Gardner Mayor Mike Nicholson. “The Housing Crisis facing Massachusetts is no stranger to us in Gardner. We have seen a substantial increase in the demand for housing in the City over the last few years- leading to a substantial increase in housing costs as the supply simply did not meet the demand. This project meets that concern head on by providing new, market-rate housing for people looking to re-settle in the City or call Gardner their new home.”
The HousingWorks Grant program, which operates quite similarly to the MassWorks grant program, is designed to support infrastructure initiatives that encourage residential growth and developments. The Rear Main Street project has been a collaborative effort from all of our partners at the state and local level.
“We’re thrilled to continue state support for this project,” said State Representative Jon Zlotnik. “As we’ve said all along, this project will be transformative for downtown Gardner. It has taken a lot of time and a lot of work by many people, but we’re in the final stretch now and I can’t wait to see this built out, and the positive impact it will have on the area.”
HousingWorks provides municipalities with grants for a variety of infrastructure improvements that spur housing development and preservation. This year, the administration is awarding grants to 12 communities to create over 1,550 new housing units and preserve over 690 units of housing. The $3.5 million awarded to Gardner was one of the largest grants awarded this year by Governor Healey and Lt. Governor Driscoll. This is in addition to the $4.1 million that was originally awarded for Phase 2 of this project.
“These funds will allow the City to complete the public sector infrastructure improvements to support the private sector housing project along Derby Drive, which is the last phase of a $20 plus million public / private partnership in the Rear Main Corridor” said Trevor Beauregard, Director of Gardner’s Community Development and Planning Department.
Over the last five years, the City has invested millions of dollars into revitalizing the downtown to breathe new life into the area. From improvements to roadways, sidewalk and lighting replacements, recreational facilities, building renovations, and other projects.
“Our receipt of the Phase 3 funding marks a pivotal moment for Rear Main Street,” said City Council President Elizabeth Kazinskas. “Years of hard work and collaboration have led to this significant milestone, as Rep. Zlotnik and our State partners have continued to recognize Gardner’s serious investment in this project. The stage is now set for a fully revitalized Rear Main St. area that encourages growth and pride within our community. We are incredibly fortunate to receive this award.”
Several local business owners have also expressed their excitement about this project coming to fruition.
“Having been business owners in Downtown for 61 years and property owners for 50 years we are excited to see the Rear Main Street Project beginning to move forward.” said Anne and Alan LeBlanc, owners of John’s Sport Shop. “It will bring much needed parking for this area as well as greatly improving the appearance”
Similarly, Sean and Nancy Brey, owners of Downtown Gardner’s newest business, Diamond Hearts Art Studio, echoed this sentiment. “When Mayor Nicholson first met with us about locating our business in Gardner, one of the things that sold us on the City was this exact project and how much vitality it was going to bring to the area – and that’s what sold us,” said Nancy Brey. “We are so excited to meet our new neighbors.”
“If Gardner is as welcoming to these residents who will live there, as they have been to us, they’re going to love living here,” said Sean Brey.
“It’s been so exciting for me, as someone who has been in business for 37 years downtown, to watch this project happening,” said Patti Bergstrom, owner of the Velvet Goose. “This project has all the elements we need to make our downtown, and our City, even more successful and more fabulous- housing, parking, new businesses, old businesses.”
Through this round of the One Stop Grants, the Executive Office of Economic Development received 756 applications from 510 organizations with projects in 229 communities across the state. The Executive Office of Economic Development estimates this round of One Stop awards will help create more than 18,000 new units of housing, including 4,000 new affordable units, 31,000 new permanent jobs, and more than 14 million square feet of new commercial development statewide.
“This is a very exciting time for the city of Gardner and we have seen so many positive changes to our city over the past few years. I know that this Rear Main street project has taken much hard work and effort to get this to materialize. So, thank you to all who have made this happen” said Ward 4 Councilor Karen Hardern.
This project comes as the third and final phase of the Rear Main Street Revitalization Project. Beginning in 2015, the City of Gardner worked to obtain the properties along Rear Main Street, leading to the construction of the new street on Derby Drive in 2018. Phase 2 began with the groundbreaking of the public parking and plaza space earlier this month. While there is still some time before shovels will hit the ground on this latest phase, the potential for the area is already being felt.
“The Rear Main Street Revitalization Project has been a top priority for the Gardner Redevelopment Authority for quite some time, and I’m happy to see us reach this milestone,” said City Councilor Paul Tassone, who also serves as the Chair of the Gardner Redevelopment Authority. “In order to grow our business base, we need a population to support the businesses who are opening their doors and investing in the City- and in order to have that population base, we need places for these individuals to live. This project, combined with the project we just broke ground on last week, are huge for Gardner. This takes an area that was once dead, and will transform it into the heart beat of the City.”
“These projects don’t happen on their own,” concluded Mayor Nicholson. “This project is a perfect example of the way things get accomplished when local officials partner with officials at the state and the private sector to build a stronger community together. I’d like to thank the Healy-Driscoll Administration, Rep. Zlotnik, Director Trevor Beauregard of the City’s Community Development Department, and our partners at the state level and the Gardner Redevelopment Authority for making this plan a reality. I’m truly looking forward to seeing the ways this project brings new life into our downtown and benefits the City for generations.”
