(Photo by JoJo Currier-Graniello)

Check out Queer Scouts Camp at the end of this month! There are day passes you don’t have to stay the whole weekend and no one is ever turned away for inability to pay

Hi everyone! We stopped by Fitchburg today (visiting from Fitchburg, WI)!

Listen, Fitchburg isn’t nearly as bad as some of you made it out to be. Not one person offered me drugs😤. In fact, parts of town are downright adorable. Some of those older houses are super cute!

We picked up our Fitchburg State University swag (can’t wait to confuse people at home), we saw the boulder and the war memorials, we drove all over town to look at as much as we could (ok but some of your intersections are wild, wtf guys), and we found a park to play in. I’m very sad we didn’t have time to eat, I wanted to try the Thirsty Robot (we have a Thirsty Goat in our Fitchburg!), but we were short on time. I’m glad we came!

Congrats on your road construction! I hope you enjoy your new roads when they’re all done.

If you’re ever near Fitchburg, WI come visit! We don’t have a giant boulder, or a university (UW-Madison being 15 minutes away kills that dream), and as far as I know Calvin Coolidge never visited, but we do have a SuperTarget, a cool park, and they’re building our second McDonald’s (but we do have a few great local restaurants and breweries too).

Fitchburgers Unite!

Dear Fitchburg Public Schools Families,

I hope you are enjoying a wonderful summer!

As we prepare for the new school year, I want to remind you that our new Cell Phone and Personal Electronic Device Policy will take effect this fall. The goal of this policy is simple: to reduce distractions, increase student engagement, and create the best possible learning environment for every student.

To help your family prepare, please see the attached resources. And, for more information, visit our website at: https://www.fitchburg.k12.ma.us/school-committee/cell-phone-and-personal-electronic-device-policy

We encourage you to review these materials with your child before the first day of school. Talking about these new expectations now will help students understand the changes and make for a smooth transition this fall.

Your child's school will send additional information outlining its school-specific procedures for implementing the new policy, including how the Doorman App will be used within the building.

Thank you for your partnership and support as we work together to create focused, engaging learning environments where every student can thrive. We look forward to welcoming everyone back for another outstanding school year!

Sincerely,

Jon Thompson
Superintendent
Fitchburg Public Schools

Single car off the road on Williams Rd at lower section near Ashburnham Hill. Driver arrested.

https://www.telegram.com/story/news/local/central-ma/2026/08/13/fitchburg-stuck-with-stormwater-flooding-after-epa-terminates-grant/91270145007/

When it rains in Fitchburg, water races down Spring Street, the steep hill next to Longsjo Middle School. As it flows, it picks up oils, animal feces and other pollutants that lay atop the asphalt and funnels them straight into a storm drain, and then the canals of the city.

There’s little vegetation to slow, absorb and clean the water. The area is densely developed with houses on both sides and mostly paved over. Yards are small, and the middle school doesn’t have an outdoor green space. For a time, residents looked forward to a plan to install a rain garden halfway down the hill – a plan that was expected to mitigate the worst of the flooding, which pushes bacteria into the drinking water system.

In September 2024, the Environmental Protection Agency awarded the Nashua River Watershed Association, a nonprofit climate resilience organization representing 32 towns throughout Massachusetts and New Hampshire, a $500,000, multiyear environmental justice grant for stormwater management.

The project would have created green space near the middle school, completed restoration of a public park and installed a small “pocket forest” in the southwest sector of the city, where runoff is increasingly common.
Six months later, EPA officials terminated the grant because it “no longer effectuates the program goals or agency priorities.”

More than a dozen environmental justice grants in Massachusetts – as well as hundreds across the country – were cut for being what new administration deemed “forced discrimination programs.” In total, the Bay State lost more than $90 million for projects like home remediations to combat asthma triggers in Springfield, restoring tree canopies in Chelsea to cool heat islands and mitigating flooding in Fitchburg.

These communities “all had recurring flooding issues or issues with drainage and a lack of urban green space that we were hoping that these projects could tackle,” said Ryan Hennrikus, senior land and climate associate at the Nashua River Watershed Association.

Longsjo Middle School was built nearly 100 years ago and is the only public school in Fitchburg without any outdoor recreation space. The students take recess in the gym.
In recent years, Fitchburg has seen more damage to the city’s hilly and largely paved terrain. In 2023, massive flooding clogged drains, damaged houses and collapsed roads. The city’s vulnerability has become more difficult to ignore in recent years. According to one study, roughly 14.7% of all properties in Fitchburg – over 1,200 – are at risk of flooding over the next 30 years.

With the city’s 2026 budget already showing a deficit in its wastewater, stormwater and drainage funds, and with those departments receiving less money than the previous year, the loss of EPA grants leaves a widening gap between the city’s infrastructure needs and its ability to pay for them. As storms worsen, the city was relying on EPA funding to help mitigate some of the worst outcomes.

When the grants were first announced in 2023, then-Fitchburg Mayor Stephen DiNatale noted that “for years, the water quality in the Nashua River suffered as a result of the city’s booming industry.” This project, he said, “serves as a continuation of efforts to address the negative impacts of urbanization on the river, improve the health of the waterbody, and restore the pristine natural ecosystems along its banks. Doing so will undoubtedly help the City address the issue of climate change through improved climate resiliency and enhanced quality of life for residents.”
His successor, Mayor Sam Squailia, lamented the lost grant. “We had a great resilience project with Nashua River Watershed Association that was unfortunately cut,” she said.

A spokesperson for the EPA did not answer questions directly related to the grant being rescinded, but said in a statement that the Biden administration’s focus on DEI programs and environmental justice was “wasteful.”
“Unlike the previous administration, we fully understand that ensuring clean land, air and water for all Americans requires us to spend precious taxpayer dollars wisely,” the statement continued.

The grant would have included a rain garden – a shallow, planted depression in the ground designed to collect runoff water. A rain garden is typically filled with native plants, flowers, grasses and decorative rocks or mulch, designed to filter out pollutants in the water as it flows. Beyond its environmental function, the garden would have also included outdoor classroom space for the students at Longsjo Middle School.

“It’s small, but it would give some space to the school,” said Jeremy Roche, assistant superintendent of finance and operations for the Fitchburg Public Schools.

The grant also included funding for stream bank restoration along a section of Sand Brook in Parkhill Park. For decades, portions of the brook have been confined within stone and mortar walls, forcing water to move quickly in a straight line. The proposed restoration would have removed sections of those artificial walls and regraded the banks to restore a more natural meander that would slow water flow during storms, reduce erosion and allow more water to seep into the surrounding soil rather than surge downstream.

Another key part of the project was replanting native vegetation along the banks to further stabilize soil, provide shade to cool the water and create habitats for wildlife.

A third component of the grant targeted Bartley-Nolan Park, where the Nashua River Watershed Association planned to install a dense “pocket forest” with native vegetation planted closely together to mimic a New England hardwood forest. The trees, shrubs and other plants would help to clean runoff water and restore soil health while supporting the natural biodiversity of the area.

The three projects would not have eliminated flooding entirely. But they were intended to function as distributed buffers – small interventions placed strategically in neighborhoods that experience recurring runoff and have limited green space.

Much of the work on the projects was completed before the grant was revoked.

“We had all of the projects identified. Most of the work was done. And that’s where it gets like, ah, what a shame, we’re that close,” said Cliff Simmonds, executive director of the Nashua River Watershed Association. “Implementation is oftentimes one of the easier pieces of a project.”

With the grant money terminated, the Nashua River Watershed Association is shifting its focus to raising funds from private donors and local community members, putting all three projects on hold until funding needs are met.

Despite the setback, the school district intends to move forward with the rain garden on its own, still in collaboration with the Nashua River Watershed Association and the state Department of Conservation and Recreation, Roche said.

The district is planning to budget roughly $100,000 to develop the vacant lot, which would be enough to turn it into usable green space for students and the surrounding community. The restoration project is being targeted for fiscal year 2028.

“These were impactful projects,” Simmonds said. “And I think by not walking away from them, by continuing to push for getting these projects to the implementation phase, we’re really sending that message that no, the impact hasn’t changed because the funding’s not there.”

UPDATE on continued enforcement on illegal and dangerous motorcycle, dirt bike and ATV activity in our Twin Cities... 8 illegal or dangerous operators now taken off our streets.

AMAZING work being done by the Fitchburg Police Department, together with the Leominster Police Department, to address the illegal operation of motorcycles, dirt bikes, mopeds and ATVs on our streets.

This has been an ongoing concern from residents...groups of riders operating illegally, sometimes without licenses, insurance or properly registered vehicles, weaving through traffic and creating dangerous situations for drivers, pedestrians and neighborhoods.

Our departments have been working together behind the scenes as well as out on the roads... gathering information, identifying repeat offenders, sharing intelligence and coordinating enforcement efforts across both cities.

Over the past several days, Fitchburg Police have continued heavy enforcement actions involving multiple vehicles, with criminal charges being pursued where appropriate, including unlicensed operation, negligent operation and illegally attaching plates. Several motorcycles, scooters and dirt bikes have also been removed from our streets.

Legal and responsible motorcycles or recreational vehicles riders are NOT being targeted. This effort is targeting the dangerous and illegal operation on public roadways that puts everyone, including the riders themselves, at risk.

The Fitchburg and Leominster Police Departments are also asking residents to help by reporting activity when you see it. Useful information includes:

📍 Exact location
🕐 Time observed
➡️ Direction of travel
🏍️ Bike color or description
👕 Rider clothing or helmet description
🏠 Locations where the bikes are regularly stored or seen
📸 Photos or video, only when they can be obtained safely

Please do not chase, follow, confront or attempt to stop riders yourself.

☎️ Call 911 for an emergency or an immediate public safety threat.

📱 Tips can also be submitted: Text us at 847411 with the message: LPDMATIP and text the information FPD/LPD need to know.

Check your voter registration status:

https://www.sec.state.ma.us/VoterRegistrationSearch/MyVoterRegStatus.aspx

Register to vote online:

https://www.sec.state.ma.us/OVR/

If you have a signature on file with the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles, you can register online. You can also:

✔️ Pre-register to vote
✔️ Update your address
✔️ Update your name
✔️ Change your political party designation

Have questions? We're here to help! Contact the Fitchburg City Clerk's Office at (978) 829-1820.

From Mayor Squailia:

2026 ROAD PAVING STREETS UPDATE
Good morning, Arn-How Farm Road!
A much smoother ride to Fitchburg High School is on the horizon...

Crews completed full-depth reclamation, rebuilding and stabilizing the roadway base before the new pavement went down. The project also includes drainage adjustments, driveway apron work, curbing, ADA pedestrian ramps, guardrail replacement, pavement markings and other improvements along the corridor.

This follows last year's work repairing the retaining wall supporting the roadway, and comes ahead of MassDOT's planned work on Ashby State Road in 2027.

And Arn-How is just one piece of a very busy paving season across Fitchburg...

🛣️ WARD 1: FAIRBANKS, MUNROE, BIRCH & HEYWOOD
These streets have received their first leveling/base course of pavement. Crews are continuing curb resetting and pedestrian ramp work before the final 2-inch surface course is installed.

🛣️ WINTER STREET & BEACON STREET
Full-depth reclamation has been completed. PJ Albert is completing base course, structure adjustments and curb ramps, with final paving to follow.

🚶 JOHN FITCH HIGHWAY & SUMMER STREET
New ADA pedestrian crossing improvements are underway near Coolidge Park and the Wallace Civic Center, along with several locations on Summer Street near Boutelle Street.

🚂 RAILROAD STREET
Western Earthworks is preparing structures for the upcoming full-depth roadway reconstruction, part of a larger project that also connects with our Twin Cities Rail Trail improvements. The Twin City Rail Trail bridge is also being constructed... the Patch area looks much different!

🌉 RIVER STREET BRIDGE replacement project is currently projected tentatively for a reopening by Labor Day... we are hoping sooner. Final paving was completed Wednesday August 12th now we are buttoning up the final touches.
The River St bridge replacement project began in June 2024 and the original contract opening date was June 2027.

🛣️ MAIN STREET (WEST SIDE by Greek Church)
Ashburnham Hill Rd to River St Roundabout with new Paving and sidewalk extension and improvement planned after the Greek Festival 2026

🛣️ STONEYBROOK ROAD
Rindge Rd to Village Crossing new Paving planned 2026

🔄 ELECTRIC AVE / ROLLSTONE ROAD Roundabout
Complete Streets Sidewalk additions and new paving planned 2026

✈ Airport Road work was completed earlier 2026

🛣️ASHBY STATE ROAD:
Planned work to begin 2027

CAUSEWAY STREET, ROLLSTONE STREET, MT ELAM ROAD:
Planned work to begin 2028. Causeway Street, the remaining lanes of Rollstone Street, & Mt Elam Rd with Safe Routes to School funding & Chapter 90 funding

🟣 2026 to 2028, MAIN STREET
Main St corridor from River Street Roundabout through downtown, plus the Broad St / Circle St connection area... Water line work expected to be completed late 2026, storm/sewer work expected to continue through 2027, final paving expected 2027-2029
We are also Repairing the Traffic Signals on MAIN ST at ACADEMY ST & ROLLSTONE ST now.

🔵 2026 to 2027, NORTH OF MAIN (WEST)
CSO 032 & 045 Separation / Rehabilitation
Flat Rock Rd
View St
Mechanic St
Marshall St
High St
Elm St
Simonds St
Academy St
and nearby connecting streets

🟢 2027 to 2028, MORAN SQUARE
We are applying for grants for the final phase of this project which includes Main St, Summer St, Holt St, and the Moran Square area

🩷 2026 to 2029, MassDOT Water St Bridge Improvements
Water St bridge area at Main St, plus the Walnut St / Route 12 connection area and the roadway in between the bridges (2027-2029)

🟡 2027 to 2029, NORTH OF MAIN (EAST)
CSO 045 & 083 Separation / Rehabilitation
Mount Vernon St
Taft St
Garnet St
Pleasant St
Prichard St
Academy St
and nearby neighborhood streets off Main St

There is a LOT of road work happening...and a lot more still to do. We have more than 180 miles of public roadway in Fitchburg, so rebuilding the network is a long-term effort... but we are working on getting out of our road condition deficit and moving to the future 🚧➡️🛣️

Questions or Concerns about City paving projects can be directed to DPW Engineering at 978-829-1915 or mayor@fitchburgma.gov

As always, schedules can shift because of rain, temperatures, equipment, utility conflicts and field conditions...but the work keeps moving.

From now on, every Tuesday will be our POC GAME NIGHT! (People of Color) starting at 6pm! We have a nice selection of Board/Card & Video Games created by People of Color to celebrate and enjoy!

Students: $15 / Adults: $20
But on Tuesdays for the rest of The Summer, One Adult Day Pass will allow you to bring one friend with you for FREE!

As usual Drinks & Snacks will be available for purchase with BYOB incorporated & parking is behind our building in the garage underneath.

ANYONE is free to come indulge in POC Game Night, This is no way by any means an exclusion of others, but more of a spotlight for some! We can’t wait to see you all there, because at Multiplayer Gaming Center & Lounge, “We’re all Fam!”