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Fitchburg Department of Public Works

After 27 years, St. Bernard’s Cemetery superintendent retires

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FITCHBURG — Ray Spagnuolo recently retired as superintendent of St. Bernard’s Cemetery after 27 years of dedicated service.

Spagnuolo was 27 years old when he accepted a job as laborer at the cemetery on Goodrich Street. Under the tutelage of then Superintendent Steven Schaff, he was trained for preparing graves and understanding the layout of the cemetery and individual lots. During that time, Spagnuolo was promoted to assistant superintendent and after leaving for a few years to pursue another career opportunity, he moved back home and accepted the superintendent job.

His excellent work was appreciated by local funeral homes and families through the years and Spagnuolo served in the superintendent position with distinction until his retirement in June. Kevin Mack and Larry Brandon of Brandon Funeral Home presented Spagnuolo with a certificate of appreciation last month along with best wishes for a long and healthy retirement.

“I considered myself very fortunate to have the opportunity to work under Fr. H. Edward Chalmers and recently for Fr. Joseph Dolan. They have both been the greatest mentors of my life, learning many life lessons from their everyday problem solving,” Spagnuolo said. “During my time at the cemetery, I have met and serviced many wonderful families. To have someone enter your office crying and distraught and seeing them leave content is very fulfilling.”

Taking over as superintendent of the cemetery is Jason Baldini, whom Spagnuolo met when Baldini was managing the Montuori Oil Delivery gas station on Boulder Drive.

“Watching Jason carry himself at Montuori’s made me realize he would be a perfect fit to fill my position,” Spagnuolo said. “I consider myself very fortunate to have had such a wonder career and to be under the guidance of two great men, Fr. H. Edward Chalmers and Fr. Joseph Dolan, and always the kind generosity of Brandon Funeral Home who donated our lovely office furniture at the cemetery office. Thank you all and best of luck to Jason Baldini.”

Baldini’s father and grandfather both worked for the Fitchburg Department of Public Works. He said he is happy to “have taken a similar position but in the private sector” at the cemetery.

“I worked for Mr. Michael Montuori in Fitchburg for 26 years, managing the gas stations, delivering tires, and delivering oil,” Baldini said. “Mr. Montuori taught me how to be with customers and how the public needed to be treated. I have taken that knowledge and life skills and am now the superintendent at St. Bernard’s.”

Baldini praised his predecessor and said he will do his best to carry on that legacy of steadfast service to the community.

“Ray Spagnuolo has done an amazing job over his tenure, and I am looking to continue that for the rest of my career in the cemetery,” Baldini said. “Being able to help people in their time of need fills my heart with joy and it makes me feel better as a human being.”

Sally Cragin contributed to this story.

Fitchburg DPW Alerts: Week of Aug. 28, 2023

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FITCHBURG – The Department of Public Works advises residents of the following work that will be done, weather permitting, during the week of Aug. 28, 2023.

Road Construction

Monday-Friday, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Expect road closures, delays and detours.

• MassDOT will be contine reconstruction and rehabilitation of the Circle Street Bridge. Due to construction, the bridge is closed to vehicle and pedestrian traffic until further notice.

Combination Sanitary Sewer/Storm Drain Separation Project

Monday-Friday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Expect detours, lane shifts, road closures, and traffic delays.

• Ongoing combination sanitary sewer/storm drain separation project: Contractor will be continuing Sewer Infrastructure work on Main Street at the intersection of River Street, Goddard Street at Chestnut Street and Caldwell Place and Bond Street. The contractor will work with residents to maintain access to their property at all times. Residents and business owners, please be advised the Main Street at River Street Detour is now in place. Please follow all traffic and detour signs. The Fitchburg Police Department is available for any traffic or detour questions.

Minor traffic impacts

Monday-Friday, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.

• Storm cleanup will continue. Residents, please be patient as crews are diligently working though impacted areas restoring the City utilities and road way infrastructure(s). Residents and business owners should continue to report all unsafe conditions on See-Click-Fix. Work will be prioritized and attended to as crews become available.

• Pothole repairs citywide.

• Sidewalk repairs on the Court House side of Elm Street.

• Repair water gate boxes at various locations throughout the City.

• Unitil will be conducting natural gas pipeline replacement projects in the areas of: Mount Vernon St, Apple Tree Hill, Prichard St from Main St to Elm St, Pleasant St from Spring St to Davis St, Pinard Ave, Pleasantview Ave. Contractors Neuco, S. Fors, Feeney Brothers and O.G. Croteau, plan to work 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday thru Friday. Expect detours, temporary road closures and delays. Residents will be given notice on any planned service interruptions associated with the gas work.

• Unitil will be working on services on South Street from Whalon Street to Rte 2 and Pierce Ave. Traffic will remain open or be detoured so minor delays should be expected.

• Asplundh will be trimming on Westminster Hill Road south of Ashburnham Street and on Scott Road off of Rindge Road; Lewis will be trimming on Airport Road; Stanley will be trimming on Route 31 north of John Fitch Highway.

• Pine Ridge Technologies (PRT) will finish installing streetlight bases and begin installing replacement aluminum light poles on various streets throughout the City.

• Arcadis will be conducting stormwater infrastructure inspections in the following areas: Milk Street, Bilotta Way, Burma Road, Liberty Circle, Sanborn Street, and Kaysha Drive. Expect minor delays, road closures, and/or detours. Please note that the inspection of the infrastructure may include the use of dye and residents should not be alarmed. The contractor shall work with residents if temporary access to their property is needed.

Hydrants

Hydrant maintenance city-wide.

• Monday through Friday – Hydrant flushing on the High Water System (hydrants with red tops) on Wanoosnoc Road, Canton Street, and South Street areas.

Use SeeClickFix to report maintenance requests or concerns including potholes, sidewalks, signs/signals, lights, parks, catch basins or manholes. Please call the DPW Dispatcher at 978-829-1900 with any immediate request including weather related events (snow, wind, ice, flooding) or sewage backups.

Fitchburg DPW Alerts: Week of July 31, 2023

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FITCHBURG — The Department of Public Works advises residents of the following work that will be done, weather permitting, during the week of July 31, 2023.

Road construction

Monday-Friday, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Expect road closures, delays and detours.

• MassDOT will be continuing their reconstruction and rehabilitation of the Circle Street Bridge. Due to construction, the bridge will remain closed to vehicle and pedestrian traffic until further notice.

Combination sanitary sewer/storm drain separation project

Monday-Friday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Expect detours, lane shifts, road closures, and traffic delays.

Ongoing Combination Sanitary Sewer/Storm Drain Separation Project:

• Contractor will be starting Sewer Infrastructure work on Main Street at the intersection of River Street, Goddard Street at Chestnut Street and Caldwell Place. The contractor will work with residents to maintain access to their property at all times. Residents and business owners, please be advised the Main Street at River Street Detour will be in place starting July 24th. Please follow all traffic and detour signs. The Fitchburg Police Department is available for any traffic or detour questions.

Minor traffic impacts

Monday-Friday, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.

• Storm cleanup will continue. Residents, please be patient as crews are diligently working though impacted areas restoring the City utilities and roadway infrastructure(s).  Residents and Business owners should continue to report all unsafe conditions on SeeClickFix. Work will be prioritized and attended to as crews become available.

• Repair water gate boxes at various locations throughout the City.

• Unitil will be conducting natural gas pipeline replacement projects in the areas of: Bailey Street, Upton Street, Apple Tree Hill Road, Mt. Vernon Street, Taft Street, Highland Avenue from Ross Street to Holman Street, Prichard Street from Main Street to Elm Street, Pinard Avenue, Whalon Street, Shea Street and Lee Avenue. The contractors Neuco, S. Fors, Feeney Brothers and O.G. Croteau, plan to work 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday thru Friday. Expect detours, temporary road closures and delays. Residents will be given notice on any planned service interruptions associated with the gas work.

• Unitil will be working on services on South Street from Whalon Street to Rte 2 and Pierce Ave. Traffic will remain open or be detoured so minor delays should be expected.

• Asplundh will be trimming on Westminster Hill Road south of Ashburnham Street and on Scott Road off of Rindge Road; Lewis will be trimming on Airport Road; Stanley will be trimming on Route 31 north of John Fitch Highway.

• Pine Ridge Technologies (PRT) will finish installing streetlight bases and begin installing replacement aluminum light poles on various streets throughout the city.

• Arcadis will be conducting storm water infrastructure inspections in the following areas: Milk Street, Bilotta Way, Burma Road, Liberty Circle, Sanborn Street, and Kaysha Drive. Expect minor delays, road closures, and/or detours. Please note the inspection of the infrastructure may include the use of dye and residents should not be alarmed. The contractor shall work with the resident if temporary access to their property is needed.

Hydrants

• Hydrant maintenance Citywide.

• Monday through Friday – Hydrant flushing on the Low Water System (hydrants with red tops) in the Madison Street, Daniels Street, Clarendon Street and Beech Street areas.

Use SeeClickFix to report maintenance requests or concerns including potholes, sidewalks, signs/signals, lights, parks, catch basins or manholes.

Please call the DPW Dispatcher at 978-829-1900 with any immediate request including weather related events (snow, wind, ice, flooding) or sewage backups.

Main Street section closed for three months

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FITCHBURG — The city will close down a northern section of Main Street for over three months due to a sewer construction project that is intended to prevent stormwater runoff from entering the sanitary sewer system.

Mandated by the city’s federal court settlement with the US Environmental Protection Agency, the project will be solving an issue that had caused raw sewerage to overflow to the Nashua River during rain events.

From July 24 to Nov. 15, Main Street will be closed between the upper common near Caldwell Place to the River Street roundabout. The city is asking residents to plan accordingly and seek an alternate route. All local traffic will be rerouted to Rollstone Street and Kimball Street.

Specifically the Fitchburg Department of Public Works (DPW) Wastewater Division will be starting the construction of a sewer and drain separation project in the area north of the western end of Main Street. Contracted for the project, Weston & Sampson will have a resident engineer on site inspecting the construction project.

Eastbound truck routes will be redirected from River Street to Kimball Street to Rollstone Street and to Main Street. Westbound truck routes will be redirected from Summer Street to Fifth Street to Water Street to Laurel Street an to Kimball Street.

While one section of Main Street section is now closed the city has reopened all of the roads that were closed due to the July 16 rain event.

Wasterwater Alert

Due to the July 16 weather event that caused widespread flooding, the DPW also released a wastewater alert to residents on July 21, asking them to avoid contact with the North Nashua River for 48 hours due to a combined sewer overflow.

The overflow occurred at the Easterly Wastewater Treatment Facility at 24 Lanides Lane and caused what was likely to consist of untreated or partially treated sewage and waste to overflow into the North Nashua River. The city suggests avoiding contact with the North Nashua River for 48 hours after the discharge or overflow ceases due to increased health risks from bacteria and other pollutants.

Find out more information on the City of Fitchburg’s website.

Fitchburg DPW Alerts: Week of July 24, 2023

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FITCHBURG – The Department of Public Works advises residents of the following work that will be done, weather permitting, during the week of July 24, 2023.

Road Construction

Monday-Friday, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Expect road closures, delays and detours.

• MassDOT will continue reconstruction and rehabilitation of the Circle Street Bridge. The bridge will remain closed to vehicle and pedestrian traffic until further notice.

Combination Sanitary Sewer/Storm Drain Separation Project

Monday-Friday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Expect detours, lane shifts, road closures, and traffic delays.

Ongoing Combination Sanitary Sewer/Storm Drain Separation Project:

• Contractor will starting Sewer Infrastructure work on Main Street at the intersection of River Street and on Caldwell Street at the Vicinity of Caldwell Street Park. The contractor will work with residents to maintain access to their property at all times.

Residents and business owners: The Main Street at River Street Detour will be in place starting July 24. Please follow all traffic and detour signs. The Fitchburg Police Department is available for any traffic or detour questions.

Minor traffic impacts

Monday-Friday, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.

• Storm cleanup will continue. Residents, please be patient as crews are diligently working though impacted areas restoring the City utilities and road way infrastructure(s). Residents and Business owners should continue to report all unsafe conditions on SeeClickFix. Work will be prioritized and attended to as crews become available.

• Repair water gate boxes at various locations throughout the City.

• Unitil will be conducting natural gas pipeline replacement projects in the areas of: Bailey Street, Upton Street, Apple Tree Hill Road, Mt. Vernon Street, Taft Street, Highland Avenue from Ross Street to Holman Street, Prichard Street from Main Street to Elm Street, Pinard Avenue, Whalon Street, Shea Street and Lee Avenue. The contractors Neuco, S. Fors, Feeney Brothers and O.G. Croteau, plan to work 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday thru Friday. Expect detours, temporary road closures and delays.

• Residents will be given notice on any planned service interruptions associated with the gas work.

• Unitil will be working on services on South Street from Whalon Street to Rte 2 and Pierce Ave.  Traffic will remain open or be detoured so minor delays should be expected.

• Asplundh will be trimming on Westminster Hill Road south of Ashburnham Street and on Scott Road off of Rindge Road; Lewis will be trimming on Airport Road; Stanley will be trimming on Route 31 north of John Fitch Highway.

• Pine Ridge Technologies (PRT) will finish installing streetlight bases and begin installing replacement aluminum light poles on various streets throughout the City.

• Arcadis will be conducting storm water infrastructure inspections in the following areas: Bilotta Way, Burma Road, Liberty Circle, Sanborn Street, and Kaysha Drive. Expect minor delays, road closures, and/or detours. Please note the inspection of the infrastructure may include the use of dye and residents should not be alarmed. The contractor shall work with the resident if temporary access to their property is needed.

Hydrants

Hydrant maintenance City-wide.

• Monday through Friday – Hydrant flushing on the High Water System (hydrants with red tops) in the River Street, Westminster Street and Beech Street areas.

Use SeeClickFix to report maintenance requests or concerns including potholes, sidewalks, signs/signals, lights, parks, catch basins or manholes. Please call the DPW Dispatcher at 978-829-1900 with any immediate request including weather related events (snow, wind, ice, flooding) or sewage backups.

Sunday storm ravages Fitchburg; damage across the city

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FITCHBURG – Damage from a torrential rainstorm over the weekend that led to flash flooding has wreaked havoc across the city.

“Receiving heavy rains within a short amount of time, homes and streets were overwhelmed creating sinkholes, washouts, and flooded basements,” Mayor Stephen DiNatale posted on Facebook on July 16 following the storm. “Our first responders and DPW have been working and will continue to work around the clock. Our efforts have been focused on stabilizing and blocking off damaged sections of streets as well as pumping out basements and culverts. In addition we have been working with utility companies to restore power and ensure safety where utility services are exposed.”

DiNatale toured the city on Sunday afternoon to observe storm damage and visit residents affected by it along with Department of Public Works Commissioner Nicholas Erickson, Police Chief Ernest Martineau, Fire Chief Dante Suarez and Captain Patrick Haverty, and Representative Michael Kushmerek.

Mayor Stephen DiNatale, Department of Public Works Commissioner Nicholas Erickson, Police Chief Ernest Martineau, Fire Chief Dante Suarez and Captain Patrick Haverty, and Representative Michael Kushmerek toured Fitchburg on Sunday afternoon to observe flash flooding damage caused by a torrential rain storm on July 16 and visit residents affected by it. (COURTESY FITCHBURG MAYORS OFFICE)
Mayor Stephen DiNatale, Department of Public Works Commissioner Nicholas Erickson, Police Chief Ernest Martineau, Fire Chief Dante Suarez and Captain Patrick Haverty, and Representative Michael Kushmerek toured Fitchburg on Sunday afternoon to observe flash flooding damage caused by a torrential rain storm on July 16 and visit residents affected by it. (COURTESY FITCHBURG MAYORS OFFICE)

Kushmerek called the ravage to his home city “devastating” in a Facebook post and said he joined DiNatale and public safety and emergency management officials “in surveying the damage to the roads and critical infrastructure and visiting the homes of many who were personally impacted by the flooding and damage.”

“The road is structurally unsafe,” he said via phone on Monday afternoon of the large sinkhole at the bottom of Heywood Road. “That alone is a couple million minimum to fix, what a challenge.”

He went on to say that while it is one thing to see the destruction in person, he also has witnessed firsthand “the pain in the eyes of our residents.”

“Property damage, property lost because of this storm and realizing that for some, we can fix roads, but we can’t replace their things.”

He said Erickson conveyed during the tour that 3.5 inches of rain fell in one hour on Sunday — and that this was the second time in a week that the city has experienced heavy rains “that have exceeded what the inches per hour standard for storm water infrastructure is meant to handle.”

“Despite the host of improvements that our DPW has made to the storm water system and the amount of work we know that needs to be done across the city, even if it was finely tuned the city with its topography could not have handled the water and the severe weather we seem to be getting each year,” Kushmerek said.

Kushmerek praised DiNatale and other local and state officials as well as emergency management and the DPW for working quickly to respond to the storm and coordinate impact and relief efforts. He noted that DiNatale and the mayor’s team have been in constant communication with the governor’s office, the state Executive Office of Public Safety, and more and that DiNatale was in touch with him during the storm.

“The state’s response to the city has been tremendous and communication is ongoing,” Kushmerek said. “I want to commend the mayor.”

Mayor Stephen DiNatale, Department of Public Works Commissioner Nicholas Erickson, Police Chief Ernest Martineau, Fire Chief Dante Suarez and Captain Patrick Haverty, and Representative Michael Kushmerek toured Fitchburg on Sunday afternoon to observe flash flooding damage caused by a torrential rain storm on July 16 and visit residents affected by it. (COURTESY FITCHBURG MAYORS OFFICE)
Mayor Stephen DiNatale, Department of Public Works Commissioner Nicholas Erickson, Police Chief Ernest Martineau, Fire Chief Dante Suarez and Captain Patrick Haverty, and Representative Michael Kushmerek toured Fitchburg on Sunday afternoon to observe flash flooding damage caused by a torrential rain storm on July 16 and visit residents affected by it. (COURTESY FITCHBURG MAYORS OFFICE)

The city announced the closure of several streets late Sunday: Birch, Chestnut, Heywood from Salem Street to Birch Street, Hobson, and Salem. City officials also announced that areas including John Fitch Highway between Summer and Lunenburg streets and Franklin Road at Rollstone Street near Nikitas Field are areas of caution along with the bases of hills throughout the city where washouts deposited. Updates will be made as it changes.

“It has been a busy day coordinating the response to the flash flooding with DPW, the Fire Department and MEMA,” DiNatale posted on Sunday. “Thanks to this team we have already begun taking action. I would like to thank the Police, Fire and DPW for a quick response to the emergencies we experienced today. I also would like to thank Gov. (Maura) Healey’s office for their support meeting the needs of the City of Fitchburg. I will provide further updates as soon as more information is available.”

Damage assessment continued on Monday along with cleanup operations. DiNatale said his office has been in touch with the Massachusetts Department of Transportation, which is supporting Erickson and the city in its efforts.

“I’d like to thank Fitchburg’s CERT team, first responders, and the DPW for prioritizing the safety of our citizens and the recovery of our infrastructure,” DiNatale posted on Sunday. “My office will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as city departments address damage and make repairs.”

To report storm damage and issues call the Fitchburg Department of Public Works at 978-829-1900.