Athol MA

Athol MA Local News and Community Information

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• Heywood Stakeholder Meeting

  

  

  Listen to the Stakeholder Meeting on any device. CLICK PLAY.

  Heywood Healthcare Holds Stakeholder Meeting and Moves to Next Chapter

  The October 3, 2024 meeting concerned the road forward for Heywood Healthcare as it exited Chapter 11 on September 30^th. It was noted that Heywood achieved what only 5 percent of similar healthcare systems are able to do – coming out of bankruptcy as a stand-alone organization.

  

  MC was Dawn Casavant who introduced everyone and later spoke about Heywood’s Community Services. Speakers were: Heywood President and CEO Rozanna Penney, Undersecretary Chris Harding of EOHHS , Kirby Lecey Division of Community Health, Jake Mastrandrea, Outreach Director for Congresswoman Lori Trahan, State Senator Peter Durant, State Representative Jonathan Zlotnik, – President of the Health and Hospital Association Steve Walsh, Gardner Mayor Michael Nicholson, and Chairman of the Heywood Board of Directors Robert Chauvin. Listen on any device, CLICK PLAY.

  Heywood Healthcare is stronger with less debt, restructured commitments to achieve savings, and renegotiated payor agreements. During the next 6 months, Heywood is expected to negotiate a successful agreement with the developers regarding the incomplete Surgical Pavilion. During the past year, Heywood has added medical professionals and staff with a total of 100 new hires. It has made investments in the Obstetrics Infrastructure and restored the Mental Health Unit to full capacity. Heywood’s deep engagement with the community was also highlighted with 30 employees dedicated to delivering services outside the hospital walls such as school-based health centers, telebehavioral health services, and a myriad of community programs.

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• Cleanout Kings

  

  Spring Means Clean Out – These Guys are the Kings

  We keep seeing information about Cleanout Kings on Facebook, so our curiosity got the best of us. We interviewed Eric Olson, the Cleanout King at Cleanout Kings. Apparently, they do small jobs to big jobs. Listen on any device. CLICK PLAY

  Olson explained how empathy is important in his business as sometimes he deals with hoarders. Olson stated, “I started my business three years ago. We do junk removal, everything from single item pickup all the way up to commercial cleanouts. We also specialize in hoarding situations and deal with estate sale or estate cleanouts.” All of his reviews on Google are 5 star, the best you can get. This may be why as he stated, ” We try to be as understanding as we can and try to guide people and work with them even if it takes a while and we have to really be patient.“

  Contact information: Facebook, CLICK HERE. Telephone: (978) 790-5081 SPRING FLYER, CLICK HERE.

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• Athol 2-17-24

  

  Athol MA Proud of Its Water and the Community – Athol Update

  Upcoming election information: Presidential Primary information and information on the Annual Town Election April 1, 2024. Complete Upcoming Athol Election information on printable pdf, CLICK HERE.

  Athol January Properties for Sale Report, CLICK HERE for pdf. For lease report, CLICK HERE . Athol document on why I should locate a business in Athol, CLICK HERE.

  The Waterwise Newsletter of April 2023 is prominently showcased on the website of the town of Athol. In it, Athol beams with pride over its water stating, “The Super Says….Drink Athol’s water: it’s better than bottled.” Read the 8 page Waterwise Newsletter on pdf, CLICK HERE.

  The town of Athol has every reason to be proud as it won recognition in a Taste Test. Second Place was awarded to Athol on September 14, 2022 in the Seventeenth Annual Water Taste Competition by the Rural Water Association.

  Here is a convenient Government Contacts Directory for the town of Athol, CLICK HERE.

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• Athol Election

  Nomination papers are available for the April 1, 2024 Annual Town Election. Nomination papers are available in the town office. Deadline to return nomination papers is Monday, February 12 by 5pm. For more details, CLICK HERE.

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• K9 Rocky Tee

  

  Support the K9 Program in Gardner MA by Getting a Rocky Tee shirt

  On his very first day, K-9 Rocky helped catch a burglar with his unique skills and has continued to be an asset in keeping the City of Gardner safe. The K-9 program needs continued support. By special arrangement with Shoe Fly graphics, the Gardner PD along with Athol PD and Orange PD are making tee shirts available.

  According to the Gardner PD, “When you purchase a shirt, $10 from the purchase goes to the respectable K9 program. Shirts are $20 each until September 30th, then go up to $25 each.”

  Purchase can be made online at this secure link. CLICK HERE. To support Gardner, be sure to choose Rocky in your checkout options. Otherwise, choose the Athol or Orange K9 options.

  Rocky says thank you!

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• Small vs. Bigger

  

  Smaller Athol Hospital Wins Rating Contest Within Heywood Healthcare Family

  With 159 hospitals in the state of Massachusetts, most get a 3 star rating from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, just like Heywood Hospital. However, Athol Hospital got 5 stars in 2023, an honor only 11 other hospitals in Massachusetts and only 482 other hospitals in the entire country received.

  The CMS star rating system is the gold standard for measuring quality and safety. The ratings, from one to five stars, summarize a variety of quality measures across five areas: mortality, safety of care, readmission, patient experience, and timely and effective care. “This is a testament to the dedication of our physicians, nurses, clinical staff, patient facing staff and all those who work behind the scenes to provide exceptional care to our community. “ – said Tina Griffin, Vice President and Chief Operating Officer for Athol Hospital

  Complete Press Release, CLICK HERE.

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• Athol 2023 Election

  The Annual Town Election in Athol will take place Monday, April 3, 2023 at the Town Hall. Polls will open at 10:00am and close at 8:00pm. Offices to be elected are as follows: Moderator – 1 year, 2 Selectmen for 3 years, 2 members of the Athol-Royalston Regional School Committee from Athol, 1 member of the Athol-Royalston Regional School Committee from Royalston, 2 Library Trustees, and Constable

  Registered voters who are interested in running for office may pick up nomination papers in the Town Clerk’s Office. Nomination papers must be returned no later than Monday, February 13, 2023 by 5:00 p.m. In order to appear on the ballot, a candidate must obtain thirty-seven (37) signatures of registered voters in Athol for Town Offices and fifty (50) signatures for School Committee.

  Incumbents up for re-election are: Moderator, Lawrence P. McLaughlin; Selectman, Alan D. Doge and Rebecca J. Bialecki; Athol-Royalston Regional School Committe from Athol, Lee E. Chauvette and Mitchell R. Grosky; Athol-Royalston Regional School Committee from Royalston, Nancy D. Melbourne; Library Trustee, John R. Greene; and Constable, Randy L. Mitchell.

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• Electricity 23

  

  Electric Bill High in Greater Gardner MA? There may be something cheaper…

  EnergySwitchMA.gov allows you to shop for an electric supplier for your home or business. You put in your zip code and a list of suppliers and rates pops out.

  Electric Angst in the Toytown of Winchendon

  For example, the basic service rate in Winchendon MA may be as high as 34 cents. However, at the site there’s a supplier under 17 cents (saving 50%) and several others in the 17 to 20 cent per kilowatt hour range. Click here.

  Electric Frustration in the Chair City of Gardner MA

  In Gardner, basic service has a supply rate of about 34 cents. The City of Gardner negotiated rate is just under 24 cents. However, there’s a supplier for 17 cents and a number well under 20 cents per kilowatt hour. Click here. For example IGS Energy offers a 16.99 cents per kilowatt hour with a 12 month contract or a 17.99 cents per kilowatt hour rate with a 36 month contract. Click here.

  For your community, go to EnergySwitchMA.gov, select Home or Business, put in the zip code, and get the results instantly. CLICK HERE.

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• Mosquitos

  

  Mosquito Control Team Back Again to Greater Gardner MA

  The Central Massachusetts Mosquito Control Project is sending its team to the area on August 4, 11, 18, 25, and September 1.  Dates are tentative and weather permitting.   Requests for service may be recorded by calling  the CMMCP office at (508) 393-3055 between 7am and 3:30pm weekdays.   For more info visit the website.  CLICK  HERE.

• Storm

  

  Severe Thunderstorm with Tornado Warnings Hit parts of Worcester County including Greater Gardner MA on July 21, 2022

  Orange Airport had a wind gust of 58 miles per hour. Athol MA had a storm producing up to 1 inch hail. Route 2 West near Warwick MA closed due to trees falling across highway. The storm passed over many of the towns in the Greater Gardner area including the City of Gardner. A tornado warning was in effect until 4:15pm, having been issued an hour earlier. Tornado Warning now expired. Severe Thunderstorm Warning Eastern Worcester County and Southern New Hampshire until 4:45pm

  Strong storms are expected in other areas of Massachusetts including Middlesex County and Southern New Hampshire until early evening. It is unknown at the time of this report whether a tornado actually touched down. In Eastern Franklin County there were downed trees and some power outages.

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