Michael Kushmerek

Sen. Cronin asks for investigation into Unitil rate increase request

August 19, 2023 by pkzadmin

BOSTON — State Sen. John Cronin is requesting that state Attorney General Andrea Campbell investigate a recent decision by energy provider Unitil to increase rates for electric and gas customers.

On Aug. 17, Unitil sent out a notice saying that their rates would be going up soon and that they have requested approval from the state Department of Public Utilities (DPU) to increase the company’s electric and gas distribution rates.

However, Sen. Cronin, D-Fitchburg, along with the support from Legislators in Worcester and Middlesex County, said that Unitil is trying to charge “exorbitantly higher delivery rates than provided by other energy suppliers across the state.”

“Despite receiving the same service as those in neighboring cities and towns and paying market supply rates, Unitil’s customers pay delivery and distribution rates nearly twice as high than those serviced by other suppliers like Eversource and National Grid,” Sen. Cronin said in the letter to Campbell. “This has created an incredible burden on working families who have no recourse in an uncompetitive market.”

In the announcement of the rate increase by Unitil, the energy provider stated that the DPU has 10 months to process and review the rate changes before they can take effect.

If the rates are approved as filed, a typical residential electric customer using approximately 600 kilowatt hours a month would see a monthly increase of about $10.34, or 4.0%, according to Unitil. A gas heating customer using about 70 therms a month would see a monthly increase of approximately $31.86, or 15.5%.

Sen. Cronin, along with State Rep. Michael Kushmerek, D-Fitchburg, and State Rep. Margaret Scarsdale, D-Pepperell, is asking Campbell to investigate “why Unitil is unable to supply competitive delivery rates,” as well as potential price gouging.

The letter also asks Campbell for assistance in helping to provide “legal and regulatory options” in order to decrease delivery rates in North Central Massachusetts so they are more consistent with other energy suppliers throughout the state.

In a request for a response to Sen. Cronin’s letter, a spokesperson for Unitil said that the rate increase process will provide the public with ample opportunity to participate in the hearings that will come as a result of their request to the state DPU.

“We believe our filing includes a number of proposals that we believe will benefit our customers, especially those who qualify for the low income discounted rate,” read a statement provided by Unitil spokesperson Alec O’Meara.

Until is requesting to adopt what is called “performance based ratemaking,” which they say is used by many other utilities in the state to contain future costs. The company said that this move will allow them to eliminate the need for a rate increase until 2028.

O’Meara said that Unitil is also proposing to increase the total discount for customers on their residential low income rate from 34.5% to 40%, meaning that customers enrolled in the program would see an approximately 4.7% decrease in their monthly bill.

Until has created a landing page to provide more information about their request for the rate increase at unitil.com/ma-rate-case. Until’s last filing with the DPU was in 2019.

North Central delegation calls for UMass Memorial president to negotiate, stop maternity ward closure

June 8, 2023 by pkzadmin

LEOMINSTER — With the closure of the maternity ward at Leominster Hospital looming, public pressure is mounting.

This week, members of the North Central delegation released a public letter calling on UMass Memorial Health president, Dr. Eric Dickson to negotiate and stop the proposed closure of the hospital’s Labor and Delivery Unit. The delegation is also circulating a petition opposing the unit’s closure.

The letter, which was signed by state Sen. John Cronin and state Reps. Natalie Higgins, Meghan Kilcoyne, Michael Kushmerek, and Margaret Scarsdale asks Dickson to engage to delegation in finding a solution that would keep maternal healthcare services in place. Officials said the letter also asks why UMass did not notify elected officials until after a decision to close the unit was made and why no effort was made to secure the necessary resources to prevent the closure.

UMass Memorial Health has previously stated that the decision was made due to declining birth rates in the region and staffing difficulties — the latter claim has been disputed by the Massachusetts Nurses Association. Officials and the MNA have also maintained no meaningful attempts have been made to prevent the unit’s closure.

The delegation said the proposed closure follows UMass’s 2018 decision to terminate Leominster Hospital’s inpatient pediatric unit, which the state Department of Public Health deemed was an essential service “necessary for preserving access and health status” in the region.

Leominster Hospital maternity ward faces closure, protest planned for Tuesday night

May 28, 2023 by pkzadmin

LEOMINSTER — The maternity ward at Leominster Hospital is facing closure in the fall by the UMass Memorial Health system that owns it, causing condemnation from the entire North Central Massachusetts legislative delegation and a planned protest rally on Tuesday.

UMass Memorial Health Alliance – Clinton Hospital President Steve Roach blamed “industry-wide workforce shortages” and “a declining birth rate” in the region for shuttering the popular birthing center.

The area’s legislative delegation released a joint statement calling the closure an “unjustified decision” which is “completely unacceptable and cannot stand.” The statement referenced high maternal mortality and that losing the unit “jeopardizes the health and safety of mothers and their newborns in our community.”

Patients in labor will be forced to travel much further to give birth in Worcester, Gardner, or Concord, with some inevitably forced to deliver in the Leominster, Fitchburg, or Clinton emergency rooms or on the side of the road trying to make it to a still open maternity unit.

UMass Memorial Health has notified the state Department of Public Health that it plans to close the labor and delivery unit on Sept. 22, but regulators must first approve the plan.

The protest rally will take place on Tuesday, May 30 at 6 p.m. at the corner of Nelson and North Main streets in Leominster, near the hospital. Local, state, and federal elected officials will be in attendance as well as members of the public.

The legislators said the impending closure shows an “unacceptable pattern” of “gutting healthcare services in North Central—and two Gateway Cities—of the critical healthcare services we need most,” noting the previous loss of services such as the mental health and urgent care center at Burbank Hospital in Fitchburg, cardiac and pulmonary rehab and inpatient pediatric unit in Leominster, and endoscopy and ambulatory services in Clinton.

“Enough is enough,” said state Sen. John Cronin and state Reps. Natalie Higgins, Meg Kilcoyne, Mike Kushmerek, Kimberly Ferguson, Margaret Scarsdale and Jonathan Zlotnik.

“This was an especially difficult decision for our health system, as our compassionate caregivers have helped thousands of parents and families navigate the birthing journey and welcome new loved ones into their lives for so many decades,” Roach said in a statement released to the press.

However, the legislative delegation said “no other alternative” will be acceptable to the delegation other than maintaining maternal healthcare services at Leominster Hospital.

It has not been announced what changes this will bring to Montachusett Women’s Health, the obstetrics and gynecology office on the grounds of Leominster Hospital whose doctors and midwives deliver the babies.

Like a Rock: Luisa Fernandez given Boulder Award

May 10, 2023 by pkzadmin

FITCHBURG – Luisa Fernandez was beaming when she received the 26th annual Fitchburg Access Television Boulder Award.

The award given “For outstanding contributions to civic life through the use of public communications” by the volunteer FATV Board of Directors cited Fernandez’s “exceptional civic and professional contributions to the Fitchburg community.”

Fernandez, the Family and Community Engagement Coordinator for Fitchburg Public Schools, was among several people recognized at the May 4 awards dinner at Oak Hill Country Club. Annual FATV Member Awards selected by FATV staff included Fitchburg State University junior Darcy Lally winning the 2023 FATV Robert Wilson Scholarship.

Fitchburg Access Television award recipients with FATV staff at the annual Boulder Awards Dinner held on May 4 at Oak Hill Country Club. (L. to r.) Travis Falk, Kaitlyn Mobilia, Anne Bisbee, Peter Hanley, Daniel Beaulac, Beth Walsh, Derrick Cruz, Alyne Butland, Luisa Fernandez, Nathan Glenny and David Ginisi. (COURTESY FITCHBURG ACCESS TELEVISION)

“The Member Awards are given to our volunteer members to recognize their creative work on various programs seen on FATV,” said FATV Executive Director Nathan Glenny. “The On-Air Personality of the Year went to Forks Over Fitchburg Co-Hosts Alexandra Cardinale and David Ginisi, Producer of the Year was given to Inside Fitchburg Hosts Alyne Butland, Derrick Cruz and Beth Walsh, and the Romolo Testarmata Award was presented to Peter Hanley in recognition for his 20 years of volunteering with FATV.”

Fernandez said she was “honored, humbled and proud to be the first Latina to receive this recognition.”

“To put my emotions into words would be almost impossible,” she said the week after the awards. “FATV has been a bridge between my message and the community of Fitchburg’s families. Having the support of the team at FATV alongside its board is something that aided in amplifying my message. I would like to express my gratitude to FATV for recognizing and considering my accomplishments for such a prestigious award.”

Fernandez has made a big impact in her six years with Fitchburg Public Schools. She began her educational career at McKay Elementary School in 2016 as a Special Education Paraprofessional. In 2021 she was promoted to the position of community liaison for the school district and in this role, “she has been instrumental in the development of strong, collaborative relationships between the Fitchburg Public Schools and the community,” the release stated.

Fitchburg Access Television Boulder Award recipient Luisa Fernandez with her family at the May 4 awards dinner, husband Cesar Cordoba and their sons Juan, left, and Fernando. (COURTESY LUISA FERNANDEZ)

Glenny called the awards dinner “a great evening of positivity and all-around good vibes” with over 100 people in attendance. He said Fernandez and the other awardees deserve recognition.

“The Fitchburg Access Television Board of Directors selected Luisa Fernandez as its award recipient because of how impactful she’s been in our community,” he said. “She is well respected by so many and can make connections with diverse populations through her use of public communications.

According to the release Fernandez immigrated to Fitchburg from Venezuela in 2015 with her husband Cesar Cordoba and her son Juan. In 2017, she had her second son Fernando, who is well known as Chichi.

She earned a bachelor’s degree in business with a concentration in marketing from the Dr. Rafael Belloso Chacin University, one of the largest private universities in Venezuela, and is a certified chef through the Centro Educativo Culinario Concasse, also in Venezuela.

Fernandez later attained a Wellness Counselor certificate from Cornell University and completed Medical Interpretation Training at the University of Massachusetts Medical School in Worcester. She is a leading member and active contributor with local organizations such as Fitchburg Families First in collaboration with the Fitchburg Art Museum and the Community Stewards Program with NewVue Communities and InTown Fitchburg.

She serves on numerous boards and committees including the Fitchburg Art Museum Board of Trustees, NewVue Communities Board of Directors, Literacy Volunteers of the Montachusett Area, and the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. At FPS, Fernandez has collaborated with multiple programs and agencies by organizing outreach events throughout the school district, including grocery gift cards giveaways.

Fitchburg Public Schools Family and Community Engagement Coordinator Luisa Fernandez was recently awarded the 26th annual Fitchburg Access Television Boulder Award for her tireless dedication and unwavering commitment to the community. (COURTESY LUISA FERNANDEZ)

She has facilitated multiple sessions of adult ESL classes and created the Fitchburg Public Schools Community Resource Guide, which connects families and individuals with supportive resources as well as housing, food, and employment opportunities.

“Since moving to Fitchburg, Luisa has emerged as a leader and serves as an inspiration which spans multiple generations,” Glenny expressed. “She’s a celebration of hope for an inclusive community.”

Representative Michael Kushmerek was one of many on hand at the awards dinner to celebrate Fernandez and the other recipients.

“Luisa Fernandez is truly a ROCKstar in our community,” he posted on social media following the event. “From addressing food insecurity to English language learning and civic engagement, Luisa does it all, and she does it with infectious positivity and hope! No one is more deserving of the Boulder Award, and so happy to see her recognized for her work!”

Representative Michael Kushmerek (r.) congratulates Fitchburg Access Television Boulder Award recipient Luisa Fernandez (l.) at the May 4 awards dinner. “Luisa Fernandez is truly a ROCKstar in our community,” he posted on social media following the event. (COURTESY MICHAEL KUSHMEREK)

Fernandez is unsurprisingly humble about the award and said, “it would not have been possible without the support of Fitchburg Public Schools, Superintendent (Robert) Jokela, ESL and Parent Outreach Director Eva Kelly, and Assistant Superintendent Jonathan Thompson.”

“I also would like to extend my gratitude to the enormous support that I received from the Fitchburg Art Museum, NewVue Communities, MOC, Community Health Connections, the City of Fitchburg, and all of the other programs that collaborate with me in order to support families,” she said. “Something that I mentioned during my speech on Thursday night is that I am living my American dream. However, my American dream is not the dream that movies sell to you with a fancy house, fancy car, big yards, and wealth. My American dream is to have a voice in a community while belonging to something meaningful and creating a new family consisting of friends and coworkers.”

New Spanish American Center food truck is feeding the local community

April 27, 2023 by pkzadmin

LEOMINSTER — Nourishing the community is at the heart and soul of the inspiration behind the new Spanish American Center food truck, which was celebrated with a ribbon cutting on Monday.

Dozens gathered at the Spruce Street nonprofit social service agency to christen the brand-new food truck, including SAC staff, board members, and volunteers, city police, representatives from City Hall, City Council, Making Opportunity Count, and North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce, local and state dignitaries, and community members.

Congressman Jim McGovern spoke to the crowd gathered on Monday in Leominster to celebrate the new Spanish American Center food truck. "Food ought to be a fundamental human right." (DANIELLE RAY/SENTINEL & ENTERPRISE) — U.S. Rep. Jim McGovern spoke to the crowd gathered on Monday in Leominster to celebrate the new Spanish American Center food truck. “Food ought to be a fundamental human right.” (DANIELLE RAY/SENTINEL & ENTERPRISE)

U.S. Rep. Jim McGovern has long been an advocate for raising awareness about hunger and food insecurity and taking action to address those issues. The politician, who helped secure $110,000 in federal funding that was used to help purchase and outfit the truck, had high praise for longtime SAC Executive Director Neddy Latimer and her crew and thanked them for their tireless community efforts.

“This will help a lot of people in this community and how can you say no to Neddy,” McGovern quipped, drawing laughter from the crowd. “This is important work. This is what really matters.”

The total cost for the food truck was $125,000. Latimer said SAC covered the difference and state Rep. Natalie Higgins secured $50,000 in state funding that was used to purchase a food delivery truck.

“They say it takes a village and it really does,” McGovern said, adding that every person gathered for the celebration “had a part in making this happen.”

Both vehicles will be used to bring hot meals and fresh food out to members of the community who are dealing with food insecurity, homeless, families, and more, “nutritious food” for people who may not have access or transportation to grocery stores or the means to acquire fresh fruits and vegetables, McGovern pointed out.

The new Spanish American Center food truck that will be used to feed and nourish community members was celebrated with a ribbon cutting ceremony on Monday morning at the Leominster social service agency. (DANIELLE RAY/SENTINEL & ENTERPRISE)

Latimer was overcome with emotion when she thanked everyone involved, especially McGovern, Higgins, and state Sen. John Cronin and state Rep. Michael Kushmerek for their ongoing support and “for making a dream come true.”

“Thanks for joining us in this celebration,” she conveyed to the crowd. “This morning tears came to my eyes because I couldn’t believe this was happening. Words cannot express how I feel this morning, we are very happy and grateful.”

She went on to compliment the members of the SAC Board of Directors, whom she called “an asset to the community,” for their dedication and hard work, including board President Migdalia Velez.

“We all know that food insecurity is a big deal in our community,” Velez stated. “This is going to be instrumental in reaching those people who may not be able to get to the Spanish American Center. Thank you so much from the bottom of my heart.”

SAC Information and Referral Advocacy Specialist and Elder Services Coordinator Mickey Guzman, who has been with SAC for 27 years, introduced each speaker and shared that SAC is the “oldest minority Latin program in Worcester County” and has been around for 57 years. Latimer has been with SAC for over five decades and was recently selected as a Mount Wachusett Community College Service Above Self award honoree for her dedication and commitment to serving the community.

“Its amazing, what a journey it’s been for Neddy and the Spanish American Center,” said Mayor Dean Mazzarella. “[We] could have never dreamt this would come together … it’s all really come full circle.”

Mazzarella spoke about the financial challenges so many people face these days — high rent, the rising cost of groceries — “an indication of how tough it’s been” and that “it’s been difficult for families.”

“The Spanish American center is there to help everyone,” he said. “Today is part of that connection to make that happen.”

Earlier in the program McGovern said that “the idea of anti-hunger shouldn’t be a radical idea” and noted that there are “nearly 40 million citizens in our country don’t know where their next meal is coming from.”

“Food ought to be a fundamental human right,” he stated. “Look at where the gaps are … maybe others will follow your lead. This food truck will really allow the Spanish American Center to expand their operation and help more people.”

Latimer’s husband Jose Latimer, who is the SAC Manager of Food Services, said he’ll be helping with the food truck along with other SAC team members.

“I drove it, it’s really good,” he said with a smile about test driving the food truck. “The food we are going to prepare for the people out there is homemade, nothing frozen or canned. This is going to be beautiful for the community. There’s nothing like warm food.”

Spanish American Center Manager of Food Services Jose Latimer, who will be help run the Leominster social service agency's food truck, spoke at the ribbon cutting about why this new endeavor is so important. "This is going to be beautiful for the community." (DANIELLE RAY/SENTINEL & ENTERPRISE) — Spanish American Center Manager of Food Services Jose Latimer, who will be help run the Leominster social service agency’s food truck, spoke at the ribbon cutting about why this new endeavor is so important. “This is going to be beautiful for the community.” (DANIELLE RAY/SENTINEL & ENTERPRISE)

After not one but two ribbons were cut and Latimer invited all the SAC team members up for a photo, Mazzarella noted that this kind of collaborative community work is typical in Leominster.

“Neddy, we can’t thank you enough, you’re our leader we follow you,” he said while presenting Latimer with a congratulatory citation. “All the agencies here work so well together, there’s nothing we can’t get done. Maybe it’s food that brings us together.”

Cronin’s Director of Communications Jake Simopoulos gave Latimer a citation on behalf of the senator, who was unable to attend the ribbon cutting, and Tracy Gagnon presented her with another from the chamber of commerce.

“Food is love,” Gagnon stated, to which Latimer replied, “food is medicine.”

Delicious scents wafted through the air and attendees were invited inside the center to feast on a sampling of the kinds of cuisine the food truck will be serving to community members such as rice and beans, empanadas, chicken and pulled pork, garden and potato salads, fresh fruit, drinks, and a homemade cake with a light up toy food truck perched on top.

Joint Committee on Ways and Means convenes in Fitchburg, presents ‘opportunity’ for North Central Massachusetts

March 25, 2023 by pkzadmin

FITCHBURG — As the Massachusetts Joint Committee on Ways and Means convened in the Legislative Building Tuesday, the second leg of a six-part trek around the state, state Sen. John Cronin sensed opportunity.

“An important conversation,” the meeting was part of the Committee’s continued effort to craft the state’s budget for fiscal 2024. But Cronin said that their time in the city represented something far greater: an invaluable experience for themselves and an “incredible opportunity” for the entire North Central region.

“We had the privilege to host the Joint Committee on Ways and Means and to hear testimony from some of the most important stakeholders in the state,” Cronin said. “And we’re fortunate to have had the opportunity to inject the perspective of the North Central region into that process as they craft a budget that reflects the values of the Commonwealth and can truly address challenges faced across Massachusetts every day.”

“Beyond the budget, I believe this was a great opportunity to highlight the community at large and members of the North Central delegation. Not just their growing influence in the Legislature, but their ability to accomplish so much for people here in the city and the North Central region,” he said.

An assembly that focused on budgetary items related to health and human services, the nearly five-hour session consisted of testimony from those aforementioned “important stakeholders.” Executive Office of Veterans’ Services Secretary Jon Santiago spoke, as did Department of Transitional Assistance Commissioner Mary Sheehan, Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission Commissioner Toni Wolf, Office of Refugees and Immigrants Executive Director Mary Truong and others.

Each agency present had the opportunity to question, clarify and voice concerns in regard to the budget as proposed by Gov. Maura Healey earlier this month. As he stressed the importance of those topics of discussion, Cronin praised the speakers as well as the Committee, which he referred to as “the most powerful in the legislature,” and said it was an “honor” to have led them on Tuesday.

“We received broad testimony from those on the ground in state government, those that deliver healthcare, deliver services to our veterans and monitor rising healthcare costs and the degradation of those services in rural and economically depressed areas of the state,” he said. “It’s an important conversation to have and one crucial to the Committee as we move forward with the budget.”

“There’s no more important sector for thoughtful focus than health and human services and we were absolutely grateful for the testimony received on Tuesday,” he said.

That said, Committee Chair Michael Rodrigues asked Cronin to lead the delegation Tuesday, alongside state Rep. Kathleen LaNatra, to “highlight needs and challenges faced by Gateway Cities.” With that in mind, Cronin reiterated the opportunity the Committee’s presence in Fitchburg represented not just for the city, but similar communities throughout Massachusetts.

“It’s important to bring people from across the state — policymakers, elected officials, commissioners — to North Central Massachusetts so that they can understand where we are, who we are and what we’re about,” Cronin said. “And it can make it easier for us, the North Central delegation, to advocate for our communities throughout the legislative session when members have a sort of shared experience and memories of being in your community.”

“The challenges of Fitchburg, Leominster and the region as a whole can be found almost everywhere and must be brought before those stakeholders so that they can truly understand those issues. And, through that understanding, we hope to shape policy in a way that would prove beneficial to everyone,” he said.

Mayor Stephen DiNatale and state Rep. Michael Kushmerek, who opened Tuesday’s hearing with remarks and thanks for the Committee, agreed. Kushmerek described Fitchburg as a “microcosm” of the entire state, while DiNatale, who served with the Legislature for nearly a decade, praised the Committee for their work and thanked them for their visit to the city.

“I truly believe that Fitchburg is a microcosm of the entire Commonwealth,” Kushmerek said. “You name it, Fitchburg has it — we represent the challenges of the Commonwealth but, also, the opportunities.”

“I’m just thrilled that you are here and thankful for the crucial work set to commence today and in the weeks ahead,” he said.

“Having spent nearly 10 years in the Legislature, I truly know the importance of what you handle every day,” DiNatale said. “This is a momentous occasion for [Fitchburg] — we’re proud that we were able to serve as host and thank you so much for the work you do for the Commonwealth and the people within the city of Fitchburg.”

With the Massachusetts House of Representatives and Senate set to review the budget in April and May, respectively, Cronin reiterated that Fitchburg and the entire North Central region, “poised for incredible economic growth,” presented a “tremendous opportunity” to the state and said hoped the Legislature would capitalize on that potential.

“We have an opportunity (in North Central Massachusetts),” Cronin said. “Our affordability, our cultural institutions, the incredible amenities and just the natural beauty of the area, we have the chance to foster growth in the local and regional economy in a way that would benefit everybody and create significant opportunities for people across the state.”

“This hearing was an opportunity for policymakers across the state to see that opportunity, to see our potential here — and I hope they seize it,” he said.

Michael Kushmerek

Footer