Stephen DiNatale

Squailia, DiNatale win preliminary mayoral

September 27, 2023 by pkzadmin

FITCHBUG — City Councilor-At-Large Samantha Squailia and Mayor Stephen DiNatale topped the four-way preliminary mayoral race and now have six weeks to tell voters why they should be chosen for the top elected position.

“I thought it went really well,” said Fitchburg Town Clerk Joanna Bilotta. “Everything at the polls went very smoothly.”

Squailia brought in the most votes at 53.9% and DiNatale was second, garnering 35% of registered voters, according to unofficial results from Bilotta. By number of votes, DiNatale grabbed a total of 1,532 votes, out of the roughly 4,400 votes cast Tuesday, but Squailia saw the larger draw at 2,361 votes.

The 2023 Fitchburg preliminary mayoral election unofficial results were broadcast on FATV or on FATV’s Government Channel Live Stream on Tuesday evening after the results were tabulated.

Squailia and DiNatale bested the two other candidates on the preliminary mayoral ballot, retired Fitchburg Police Officer Stanley Young, who grabbed 8.3% of votes, and School Committee member Maritza Knight, with 2.2%.

The preliminary election drew 16.8% of registered voters on Tuesday, out of the nearly 26,000 voters in the city. More voters did turnout in 2023 compared to the preliminary mayoral election in 2015, which saw 13.41% of voters; and also included DiNatale in the running with three other candidates.

The midterm elections last year comparatively dwarfed both preliminary mayoral elections with 39% of Fitchburg voters making the trek to their polling location.

The office of City Clerk has not yet released the official results.

Youngsters give Thumbs Up for free haircuts

September 10, 2023 by pkzadmin

FITCHBURG – Thumbs Up Barber Shop was buzzing with activity last weekend for the annual back-to-school free haircuts community event.

Dozens of children sat waited patiently to receive a haircut compliments of seasoned barbers who donated their time and talents for the Sept. 3 event held at the John Fitch Highway barber shop owned and operated by Juan Rivera and his family. Over 70 haircuts were provided, and Lavish Beauty Lounge gave 20 girls braids, haircuts, and hairstyles.

The annual back to school free haircuts event on Sept. 3 at Thumbs Up Barber Shop on John Fitch Highway in Fitchburg was truly a collaborative community effort. (DANIELLE RAY/SENTINEL & ENTERPRISE)

Being part of the pay-it-forward occasion comes from a personal place for barber Mateo Mueses, who gave 8-year-old Jace Caddigan a fresh ‘do while the third grader’s little sister Carmella Parmenter, 4, and their father looked on.

“I was in that position before, I couldn’t get a haircut,” Mueses said of why it’s important to him to give back, adding that he enjoys the “atmosphere and people” at the barber shop he’s been at for a year. “This is God’s work. I want to help these kids have a fresh cut for school.”

Local organizations, businesses and vendors including 1 Route, Alexander Academy, Bee.Worthy.Nails, Fitchburg Public Schools (FPS), Fitchburg State University, Lavish Beauty Lounge, LUK Inc., and Nev’s Photography provided swag, services, support, and more. New next door business Beyti’s Mediterranean Grill & Pizza donated food, Little Jimmy’s Italian Ice served up complimentary cold treats to attendees, and DJ Shaboo kept the party going with a hip hop and pop-heavy playlist.

FPS Family and Community Engagement Coordinator Luisa Fernandez was on hand giving out books and backpacks to children with a smile on her face.

“This is the place I can connect with families,” she said of being able to interact with so many members of the community at the event.

Fitchburg Public Schools Family and Community Engagement Coordinator Luisa Fernandez was at the back to school haircuts event giving out books and backpacks to children. (DANIELLE RAY/SENTINEL & ENTERPRISE)

Fernandez will also be representing FPS at the inaugural Spanish Heritage Month Festival on Oct. 14 at the park at Lowe Playground on Elm Street. When asked how things are going with the school year recently kicking off, she said she is “busy working every day but it’s worth it.”

“The enrollment department is going directly to heaven, there are so many kids,” Fernandez said. “I’m so proud to be part of this community.”

Mayor Stephen DiNatale stopped by the barber shop along with Beth Walsh, Director of Constituent Services for State Sen. John Cronin, and they posed for photos with Rivera family and others involved in the event.

Jariana Rivera (l.), daughter of Thumbs Up owner Juan Rivera, did henna designs and hair styling at the community event, including straightening her best friend Leah Robichaud's hair. (DANIELLE RAY/SENTINEL & ENTERPRISE) — Jariana Rivera (l.), daughter of Thumbs Up owner Juan Rivera, did henna designs and hair styling at the community event, including straightening her best friend Leah Robichaud’s hair. (DANIELLE RAY/SENTINEL & ENTERPRISE)

Rivera’s wife Aury and their two children – Juan Jr. and Jariana – play a big part in the continued success of Thumbs Up and were at the event helping out. Aury and her husband warmly greeted people and she swept up hair while chatting, Juan Jr. gave out $1,500 worth of sneakers, shirts, hats, backpacks, and school supplies as well as water bottles and notebooks custom decorated with his Thumbs Up Kicks business logo, and his sister styled hair and did henna designs through her own business, All by Jariana.

Montachusett Regional Vocational Technical School student and city resident Leah Robichaud, 14, sat in a chair while her “best friend” Jariana straightened her hair. Barber Jean Angerville, better known as Biggs, gave 8-year-old Wyatt Ray a sweet faux-hawk as he sat quietly in a chair with a barber drape decorated with the flag of Haiti over him. The barber beside them gave a young man some braids on top with a close shave all around the sides and back of his head.

Barber Jean Angerville, aka Biggs, gave 8-year-old Wyatt Ray a sweet faux hawk. (DANIELLE RAY/SENTINEL & ENTERPRISE) — Barber Jean Angerville, aka Biggs, gave 8-year-old Wyatt Ray a sweet faux-hawk. (DANIELLE RAY/SENTINEL & ENTERPRISE)

Juan Rivera said they are happy to give back to the community that has supported them since they opened Thumbs Up in 2007. What started out as a private event held at a local church has evolved into a huge outreach endeavor that they decided to open up to the public 11 years ago, resulting in hundreds of complimentary haircuts over the years.

“We are blessed to have the community support not only during the back-to-school event, but yearlong,” Juan said. “It’s extremely rewarding to see the kids’ smiles on their faces once they leave the shop.”

Hollis Hills begins autumn with live music, cider donuts

September 9, 2023 by pkzadmin

FITCHBURG — Hollis Hills Farm kicked off the month with a holiday weekend filled with live music courtesy of The Flock, Blue Collar Ramblers, and Our So-Called Live Music, all throughout Labor Day weekend.

Visitors enjoyed food and goodies such as the return of their fan favorite cider donuts, specialty seasonal fall flavored cocktails, and a new addition to the menu – wood fired pizza.

The scenic family-run Fitchburg spot currently has pick-your-own apples and flowers available and will have live music every weekend in October including at the Harvest Jam festival Sept. 16, library storytime for children Sept. 20 at 10:30 a.m., and a movie night Sept. 28.

For a full schedule of events and more information visit hollishillsfarm.com and follow Hollis Hills Farm on Facebook and Instagram.

Hollis Hills Farm kicked off the month with a holiday weekend filled with live music, food, and drinks. The family run Fitchburg farm will feature local musicians every weekend through October including at the Harvest Jam festival Sept. 16. (DANIELLE RAY/SENTINEL & ENTERPRISE) — The family run Fitchburg farm will feature local musicians every weekend through October including at the Harvest Jam festival Sept. 16. (DANIELLE RAY/SENTINEL & ENTERPRISE)

Fitchburg High graduate sings national anthem at Polar Park

September 8, 2023 by pkzadmin

FITCHBURG — Singing the National Anthem at Polar Park last month meant the world to Janiel Oquendo.

“It was a huge honor to sing the national anthem in front of so many people,” the Fitchburg High School Class of 2022 graduate said. “I only used to sing at my local church and getting the opportunity to now sing in front of thousands of people was huge for me. I had always envisioned myself doing it but would get nervous just thinking about it. My song, or better yet my sound, is something that I hold dear to myself so to bring it out to that amount of people, I didn’t then and still don’t have enough words to express my emotions.”

Oquendo sang loud and proud at the WooSox Fitchburg Takeover on Aug. 29 at the Worcester baseball stadium. Mayor Stephen DiNatale, Fitchburg Public Schools (FPS) Family and Community Engagement Coordinator Luisa Fernandez, and several city teachers and school district staff were there to cheer Oquendo on. They were joined by Fitchburg Little League baseball players and President Josh Peterson, who threw out the first pitch, and hundreds of city and area residents there in support of city based nonprofit organization LUK, Inc.

Fitchburg Mayor Stephen DiNatale with Fitchburg Little League baseball players at the Aug. 29 WooSox Fitchburg Takeover at Polar Park in Worcester. (COURTESY WOOSOX/ASHLEY GREEN)

19-year-old Oquendo has lived most of his life in the city. He started earning a bachelor’s degree in education just one week after graduating from FHS and spent the last year accelerating through the program online at Western Governors University.

“I have finished over fifty percent of my degree and am set to finish by the end of October this year,” he said. “It has always been my passion to become a teacher and I found the most efficient way to get there. Aside from school, I have learned to prioritize myself in this new season of life and spend a lot of time doing things that make me happy such as traveling and spending time with family.”

He found out he got picked to sing at Polar Park from his central office FPS colleagues.

“I had sung the anthem at my graduation, and they remembered how well I did and decided to reach out and ask me for the second time,” he said.

When asked if he was nervous to sing, Oquendo admitted that his “legs were shaking the whole time I sung” but that “the performance went great.”

“….a bunch of thoughts were rushing through my mind all at the same time but I held it together,” he said. “When people asked me around the park if I was nervous, I would respond yes and they would tell me, ‘you couldn’t even notice’ and that made me feel better.”

From left - Fitchburg High School Teacher Amy Pogorzelski, Fitchburg Public Schools Family and Community Engagement Coordinator Luisa Fernandez, Longsjo Middle School teacher Caroline Gendron Longsjo, Mayor Stephen DiNatale, Memorial Middle School Home Liaison Janiel Oquendo, who sang the National Anthem, and Fitchburg Public Schools Executive Assistant to Superintendent of Schools Mary-Alexandra Molina all attended the WooSox Fitchburg Takeover on Aug. 29 at Polar Park in Worcester. (COURTESY DAVID GINISI) — From left – Fitchburg High School Teacher Amy Pogorzelski, Fitchburg Public Schools Family and Community Engagement Coordinator Luisa Fernandez, Longsjo Middle School teacher Caroline Gendron Longsjo, Mayor Stephen DiNatale, Memorial Middle School Home Liaison Janiel Oquendo, who sang the National Anthem, and Fitchburg Public Schools Executive Assistant to Superintendent of Schools Mary-Alexandra Molina all attended the WooSox Fitchburg Takeover on Aug. 29 at Polar Park in Worcester. (COURTESY DAVID GINISI)

Fernadez said that, on top of college, the hardworking and determined young man works two full time jobs, including as home liaison at Memorial Middle School, and enjoys “singing, photography, and spending time with his family.”

“He dedicates his time to helping others in his role as home liaison for Fitchburg Public Schools where he one day hopes to be teaching in the classrooms that created a huge impact in his own life,” she said. “Apart from his work at FPS he also fills the role of unit coordinator/CNA at a local hospital. Janiel strives each and every day to leave his mark wherever he goes.”

Oquendo has big plans and goals for his future and said that for the first few years of his teaching career he would like to teach kindergarten. By next year his hope is to be in his own classroom “and continuing to create an impact on the lives of the students wherever I am.”

Fitchburg Mayor having heart surgery, going on medical leave

July 26, 2023 by pkzadmin

FITCHBURG – Mayor Stephen DiNatale announced on Monday that he will be undergoing surgery on Friday for a valve condition in his heart.

“My medical team expects I will make a full recovery,” he posted on Facebook July 24. “I would like to thank my family and friends for their thoughts and prayers. The support we have received has been uplifting.”

DiNatale expects to be out for three weeks on medical leave while he recovers from the surgery to repair or replace the valves that his medical team deemed necessary. City Council President Anthony Zarrella will assume the duties of the mayor’s office in his absence.

“I have the upmost confidence in Anthony’s capabilities,” DiNatale stated in his post. “He and I will be meeting this week so that he can be brought up to speed on action items that are in progress.”

The mayor said via phone on Tuesday morning that “ironically, I feel the best I have felt in months.” He said that he will be in the hospital for four days and hopefully discharged next Tuesday.

“I have a great surgeon,” DiNatale said. “I am prepared to be back at work new and improved.”

It is anticipated that DiNatale will be out until Aug. 21. He wrote in his social media post that as that date approaches next month, he will be “providing an update on my health and return to the office.”

“I would like to thank Council President Zarrella for demonstrating his leadership during this time, and my office looks forward to conducting the business of the city with him during my absence,” he penned.

Zarrella, who is in his 6th year on the council, is running for a fourth term. He took over as president when State Rep. Michael Kushmerek was elected to the state house.

Zarrella said that his “number one concern” is that he wants DiNatale’s “operation to go well and that he recovers quickly.” He went on to say that he “has been working with the mayor closely for years” and that they will be meeting before Friday to make sure he is “fully briefed.”

When asked how he is feeling about stepping in to perform mayoral duties in DiNatale’s absence, Zarrella said “confident.”

“We have a great staff at City Hall so honestly the day to day, frankly they could do it without me there, but I will be there. I don’t plan on making any changes and I am up to date and familiar with how it runs and have known all the department heads in the building for years. We have great relationships and I think it will run smoothly. That’s really my goal.”

Zarrella noted that City Council is in August recess so there will not be any council meetings this month and that “if any council work comes up, Vice President Andy Van Hazinga will take care of anything.”

“I have full confidence if anything happens, he would be able to handle it just fine,” Zarrella said of Van Hazinga.

Questions can be directed to the mayor’s office by calling 978-829-1801 or emailing the mayor’s Chief of Staff Natalia Oliver at nloliver@fitchburgma.gov.

Sunday storm ravages Fitchburg; damage across the city

July 17, 2023 by pkzadmin

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)

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.”

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.

Stephen DiNatale

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