The Fitchburg Housing Authority is preparing for its 5th Annual Block Party at the Green Acres community, led by Resident Services Coordinator Michael Chernoch, and invites local businesses, organizations, and community partners to help make this year’s event a success through sponsorships, donations, and participation opportunities.

The event will take place on Saturday, August 1, 2026, from 12:00 PM to 3:00 PM. This community is home to approximately 225 children ages 0–17, and the event brings families together for food, fun, and connection.

We are seeking donations of goods, services, or monetary support to help provide food, activities like a bounce house and face painting, and raffle prizes for both youth and adults. We also welcome local businesses to participate with a table to engage with residents and share resources.

As a Resident Services Coordinator, I work to connect families with essential supports and opportunities. Contributions from community partners like you help make events like this possible.

Any support is greatly appreciated. Charitable contributions to governmental units may be tax-deductible under Section 170(c)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code when made for a public purpose.

For more information or to get involved, please contact:
Michael Chernoch
Resident Services Coordinator, Fitchburg Housing Authority

Fidelity Bank today announced it has appointed Sean J. O’Connell to President in addition to his current role as the Bank’s Chief Lending Officer. As President, O’Connell will oversee all client-facing business lines, community engagement, and philanthropic initiatives, while helping to drive continued growth across all markets.

“Sean is a trusted and forward-thinking leader who understands what it means to build strong relationships – with clients, colleagues and our communities,” said Matt Burke, Chairman and CEO of Mutual Bancorp, Fidelity Bank’s parent company. “His ability to connect strategy with execution, combined with his deep commitment to community banking, positions him well to lead Fidelity Bank in its next chapter. We’re fortunate to have strong leadership in place with Sean, along with Tom Galvani, Chief Retail Banking Officer, and our entire team committed to serving clients and communities in our region.”

“Fidelity Bank has long been a cornerstone of the communities we serve, and I’m honored to serve as the next leader of the institution,” said O’Connell. “We have a tremendous opportunity to build on our legacy – expanding how we support local businesses, investing in our communities, and continuing to deliver the personalized, relationship-driven banking our clients value.”

With more than two decades of experience in community and regional banking, O’Connell came to Fidelity Bank in 2025 from UniBank, where he spent nine years in progressive senior leadership roles and oversaw lending operations supporting 13 retail banking locations. Earlier in his career, he held a variety of leadership and client-facing roles at Citizens Bank and Barre Savings Bank.

O’Connell earned a master’s degree in business administration from Nichols College, and a bachelor’s degree in business management from Westfield State College. He is also Omega Credit Certified and completed credit training from the Massachusetts Bankers Association.

He is actively engaged in the community and currently serves on the board