North Central MA News – Week of 6-28-26
June 2026 was characterized by significant fiscal friction, infrastructure milestones, and shifts in municipal leadership across North Central Massachusetts.
The region faced a dual challenge of managing internal budget crises—most notably a 50% cost overrun in Gardner’s school infrastructure—and navigating high-stakes legal matters, including a $1 million federal fraud investigation and a class-action lawsuit against emergency vehicle manufacturers.
While public safety remained a point of contention in Fitchburg due to staffing protests, the regional medical infrastructure saw a major upgrade with the opening of a new helipad at Heywood Hospital.
Leadership transitions in the private and non-profit sectors, specifically within the Chamber of Commerce and local media, signaled a renewed focus on agricultural business and community engagement.
Municipal Governance and Fiscal Oversight
Gardner Locker Room Project Crisis
The city of Gardner is currently navigating a transparency and budgetary crisis regarding the renovation of the high school locker rooms.
- Budgetary Deficit: Originally budgeted at $2 million, the project costs ballooned by 50%, exceeding $3 million.
- Cause of Overrun: Mayor Michael Nicholson attributed the escalation to “scope creep,” a justification that has drawn severe criticism from both the City Council and the School Committee.
- Leadership Impact: Amidst the scrutiny, the city’s Building Commissioner resigned, leaving a critical vacancy in local zoning and project oversight.
Fitchburg Salary and Staffing Disputes
Mayor Sam Squailia exercised executive veto power to maintain fiscal consistency within the city government.
- City Clerk Compensation: The Mayor vetoed a City Council order that would have granted a special pay increase to the City Clerk.
- Public Safety Friction: Tensions between the administration and emergency services escalated as Fitchburg firefighters rallied against planned staffing cuts. The department warns that these changes will negatively impact emergency response capabilities.
Leominster Regulatory Actions
Leominster officials are taking a cautious approach to industrial growth and municipal procurement.
- Data Center Moratorium: The city is exploring a proposed moratorium on new data centers and massive battery storage facilities to evaluate existing zoning and infrastructure limits.
- Price-Fixing Lawsuit: Leominster has filed a federal class-action lawsuit against fire truck manufacturers, alleging a price-fixing scheme that artificially inflated the costs of emergency vehicles.
Public Safety and Emergency Infrastructure
The region experienced a mix of infrastructure advancements and critical emergency incidents during the month of June.
Emergency Medical Enhancements
| Facility | Project | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Heywood Hospital (Gardner) | New Hospital Helipad | Officially opened to facilitate rapid, life-saving air transports and cut critical transfer times. |
| Regional Response | Medical Airlift (Fitchburg) | A pedestrian involved in a severe accident at John Fitch Highway and Route 2A was successfully airlifted to UMass Memorial Medical Center. |
Fire and Emergency Services
- Structure Fire: Fitchburg fire crews successfully suppressed a heavy fire on the porch of a multi-family home on Summer Street. No injuries were reported as tenants were safely alerted by the smell of smoke.
- Staffing Advocacy: Firefighters continue to publicly urge city leaders to reconsider department cuts, citing direct threats to public safety and response times.
Regional Economic and Leadership Shifts
North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce
The Chamber held its 42nd Annual Business Meeting on June 11, 2026, at the Great Wolf Lodge in Fitchburg.
- Keynote Address: Governor Maura Healey addressed the regional business community.
- New Leadership: Allie Catlin, co-owner of Smith’s Country Cheese in Winchendon, was elected Chair of the Board of Directors for the 2026–2027 term. Her appointment is expected to bring an agricultural focus to the region’s economic strategy.
Media and Federal Investigations
- Media Transition: After 31.5 years of service, Carol Courville retired as the Executive Director of Athol-Orange Community TV (AOTV). Liz Walber has assumed leadership of the organization.
- SNAP Fraud Case: A federal investigation uncovered a $1 million Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) fraud scheme involving local businesses. The fallout from this case has created significant social and fiscal ripples throughout municipal frameworks.
Community and Environmental Initiatives
Public Health and Philanthropy
- Relay For Life: The annual American Cancer Society event held at Mount Wachusett Community College has raised over $150,000 for cancer research and patient services.
Urban Improvement
- Free Trees Program: The Mass Urban Canopy and Growing Places initiatives launched an outreach program in Fitchburg and Leominster. The program offers free landscape trees to property owners to increase neighborhood shade and enhance property values.
