North Central MA News – Week of June 14, 2026
The region this week is defined by sharp fiscal contrasts, significant infrastructure modernization, and emerging public health challenges.
While the City of Gardner has maintained a stable budgetary footing without requiring a tax override, neighboring Templeton and Phillipston are grappling with severe funding deficits and the resulting service reductions.
Regionally, the approval of a $474 million National Grid transmission project marks a major milestone for electrical infrastructure, though residents face immediate environmental pressures from extreme heat and mandatory water restrictions.
Notable shifts in the healthcare sector, including the closure of Community Healthlink and its associated layoffs, are tempered by positive statewide trends in declining opioid-related deaths.
Municipal Fiscal Status and Governance
Budgetary Stability and Deficits
Municipalities across North Central Massachusetts are navigating divergent financial paths following recent town elections and budget sessions.
- Gardner: Mayor Michael Nicholson confirmed that the combined city and school budget is currently before the City Council. Notably, Gardner will not seek a Proposition 2 ½ property tax override this fiscal year.
- Templeton: Following the rejection of a $4 million tax override, the town is implementing deep cuts to balance a $3.5 million deficit for FY2027. Reductions include:
- Public Safety: Elimination of two full-time police personnel and a 50% reduction in fire department training and maintenance.
- Infrastructure: Layoffs of two Highway Department staff and cuts to seasonal field maintenance.
- Recreation: Program fees are projected to increase by up to 65%.
- Phillipston: A Special Town Meeting was convened to address a $208,000 education funding gap. This additional appropriation is required to align Phillipston’s contribution with the Narragansett Regional School District budget; failure to pass it could lead to 13 regional staff cuts or state intervention.
- Royalston: Voters approved a $3.3 million budget for FY2027, including a $350,000 debt exclusion to replace a 2002 DPW dump truck.
- Petersham: A $6.2 million budget was passed. While the assessment for the Mahar Regional School District rose to $1.05 million due to higher enrollment, the town achieved a milestone by fully paying off loans for the Petersham Center School and Mahar Regional buildings.
Administrative and Legislative Updates
- Elections and Appointments:
- Gardner Mayor Michael Nicholson secured over 500 signatures for the 2nd Worcester District State Representative seat.
- Hubbardston held its Annual Town Election on June 9.
- Royalston continues its search for a new Chief of Police.
- Regional Advocacy: The North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce is testifying on Beacon Hill for passenger rail improvements and relief for rising business health insurance rates.
- Intermunicipal Agreements: Templeton renewed its agreement with Winchendon, allowing residents to use the Winchendon Transfer Station through June 2029 for an annual fee of $95.
Infrastructure and Environmental Management
Utility and Grid Modernization
The Massachusetts Energy Facilities Siting Board has approved a massive $474 million upgrade to the regional electricity grid.
- A1/B2 Transmission Line Project: National Grid will modernize 47 miles of transmission lines dating back to 1909. The project spans several communities, including Royalston, Winchendon, and Gardner, replacing over 570 structures to prevent outages and expand capacity.
Environmental Restrictions and Public Health
| Town | Restriction/Status | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Gardner | Mandatory Water Ban | Instituted due to drought and heatwave trends. |
| Ashburnham | Mandatory Conservation | Odd/even schedule; no non-essential use 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM. |
| Fitchburg | Mandatory Restriction | Triggered by North Nashua River flow rates; through Sept 30. |
| Westminster | PFAS Evaluation | DPH/DEP evaluating birth weights and cancer data 4 years after well contamination. |
Public Safety Infrastructure
- Gardner: The Building Department is now fully staffed, reducing permit review times, though the Fire Department faces a resignation and delays for a new ladder truck.
- Fitchburg: A severe sinkhole on Princeton Road required a full daily closure (7:00 AM – 3:00 PM) from June 16 to June 18 for repairs.
- Hubbardston: A 24/7 Heavy Commercial Vehicle Exclusion is now strictly enforced on Brigham Street (Main St to Evergreen Rd).
Public Safety and Legal Developments
Criminal Justice and Homicides
- Barre Homicide: 71-year-old Robert Leger was arraigned for the murder of his neighbor, Michael Hannon, on Town Farm Road.
- Fatal OUI Case: Faith O’Rourke faced a court hearing regarding a crash on Route 62 in Barre that killed passengers Connor Post and Michael Publicover.
- COVID Fraud: The sister of former State Senator Dean Tran was sentenced to two years of supervised release and a $40,000 fine for pandemic unemployment fraud.
- Leominster Litigation: The City of Leominster filed a federal class-action lawsuit against fire truck manufacturers, alleging an illegal price-fixing scheme.
Public Safety Alerts
- Wildlife: A significant increase in black bear sightings has been reported across Fitchburg, Ashburnham, Hubbardston, and Barre. Officials urge residents to secure trash and remove bird feeders.
- Winchendon Fire: A three-alarm fire on June 10 heavily damaged a two-family home and attached garage on Benjamin Street; all occupants evacuated safely.
- Dangerous Dog Hearing: Winchendon officials held a contested hearing regarding a dog named “Titan” following complaints from residents.
Healthcare and Human Services
Facility Closures and Layoffs
- Community Healthlink: UMass Memorial Health announced the closure of this regional mental health provider, resulting in 127 layoffs across Central Massachusetts and a reduction in behavioral health resources.
Public Health Milestones
- Opioid Trends: For the first time since 2013, annual opioid-related overdose deaths in Massachusetts have dropped below 1,000.
- Health Equity: A new partnership in North Central Massachusetts is piloting a multigenerational housing model to support grandparents raising grandchildren and parents under age 25.
Education and Youth
District Policies and Academic Milestones
- Cell Phone Bans: The Fitchburg School Committee is considering a district-wide ban on personal devices during school hours, requiring secure storage starting in the 2026-2027 school year.
- Graduations: Commencement ceremonies were held for Murdock High School, Gardner High School, and Mahar Regional High School (87 graduates).
- Extracurriculars: Leominster Little League announced it will not defend its District 3 title this summer due to a lack of player turnout.
Business and Community Life
Economic Transitions
- Gardner: City Music is closing permanently and running a clearance sale. Conversely, local staple Gabby’s Place has undergone an aesthetic transformation.
- Leominster/Fitchburg: New commercial developments include the opening of Tavern in the Square, with Crumbl Cookies, Chick-fil-A, and Starbucks in the pipeline.
- Grants: The United Way of North Central Massachusetts received a $250,000 grant to support early childhood and food security programs.
Community Events and Traditions
- Greater Gardner Relay for Life: Held at Mount Wachusett Community College under the theme “Colors, not Cancer,” the event targeted a $170,000 fundraising goal for the American Cancer Society.
- Winchendon 250th Anniversary: The town received a congratulatory letter from the White House (President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump) regarding its 250th milestone.
- Juneteenth Observances: Closures were announced for June 19 (Gardner) and June 18 (Ashburnham).
- Memorials: Hubbardston is mourning Select Board Chairman Jeffrey L. Williams, a prominent local educator and theater founder who passed away on June 2.
Upcoming Regional Events (June 17–20, 2026)
- June 17: Echoes of Nature (Multimedia performance), Levi Heywood Memorial Library, Gardner (6:00 PM).
- June 17: 15th Annual DPW Day, Coolidge Park, Fitchburg (2:00 PM – 5:00 PM).
- June 18: Summer Concert Series, Winchester Park, Ashburnham (6:30 PM).
- June 20: Moon Hill Brewing SOULstice Party & Beer Breakfast, Gardner (8:00 AM).
