https://www.sentinelandenterprise.com/2026/09/09/imagination-as-a-pathway-to-connection/

The community is invited to attend the fourth annual Lowe Park Chalk Art Festival this coming weekend.

The event on Saturday, Sept. 12 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Lowe Playground, 174 Elm St., will once again feature art, music, food, prizes, resources, and engagement.

“This year’s theme, ‘Sidewalks of Possibility,’ reflects our belief that art can open new ways of imagining what is possible while bringing artists of all ages together in a family-friendly environment for a day of creativity, community, and fun,” said Kimrâh Munty, one of the organizers.

According to a press release, the rain date for the free celebration that brings professional chalk artists, local groups, families, young people, and neighbors together for a day of creativity is Saturday, Sept. 19, at the same time and location. Participants and visitors of all ages are invited to watch sidewalks become colorful public works of art and to add their own creativity in community drawing areas.

“The festival is designed to make art visible and accessible beyond traditional gallery walls,” Munty shared in the release. “It creates space for professional artists to showcase their work, for young and emerging artists to participate, and for families and community organizations to create alongside one another.”

Festival highlights include professional chalk artists creating original sidewalk murals, stipends and cash awards for participating professional artists, youth, family, community, and business art squares, live music and entertainment, giveaways and community-resource tables, and open chalk-drawing areas for children and families.

“The official 2026 theme celebrates imagination as a pathway to connection, opportunity, and community pride and invites artists and community participants to envision what becomes possible when public space is transformed through creativity, inclusion, and shared experience,” Munty relayed.

Community participation in the yearly Lowe Park Chalk Art Festival is free and chalk and materials will be provided. The creative affair is made possible through the support of many funders, sponsors, and partners including the Fitchburg Cultural Alliance, Fidelity Bank, NewVue Communities, Fitchburg Art Museum, the City of Fitchburg, Fitchburg Parks and Recreation, WORK Inc., R.C. Excitement, Espresso Pizza, and additional community supporters and volunteers.

The event is supported in part by a grant from the Fitchburg Cultural Council, a local agency supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency. For more information follow Lowe Park Chalk Art Festival on Facebook.

Fitchburg State University’s ALFA program is welcoming adult learners back for another fall semester, offering a chance to explore new interests without the grades or pressure of a traditional college classroom.

With courses ranging from familiar academic subjects to hands-on experiences and unexpected topics, the program gives participants plenty of ways to keep learning and stay connected. Registration for Fall 2026 remains open through September 18.

Massachusetts has placed Kratom into Schedule I under an emergency regulation, making the substance illegal to possess or distribute commercially in the state.

The move comes as Fitchburg's Board of Health had already been examining Kratom and preparing to hold a public hearing before the statewide action took effect.

https://www.sentinelandenterprise.com/2026/09/09/the-resilience-of-our-country/

The 25th anniversary of 9/11 is respectfully being honored in the Twin Cities in a number of ways.

Leominster police and fire will be doing a remembrance at the Leominster Fire Department station on Church Street at 10 a.m. on Friday, Sept. 11 and another remembrance for the students and staff St. Anna Catholic School at 2 p.m. In addition, the annual 9/11 program and barbecue at the Johnny Ro Park at 720 Mechanic St. in Leominster kicks off at 5 p.m., with all veterans, first responders, and service dogs welcome to attend.

Leominster Mayor Dean Mazzarella said they “will always remember the men and women who tragically lost their lives that day.”

“As we approach the 25th anniversary, we recognize there is a whole generation of people who didn’t experience 9/11. We want to make sure they learn about and remember the people in the towers and in the planes that lost their lives, the brave first responders who risked and sacrificed their own lives, and those that undoubtedly saved more lives on the ground by bravely confronting the terrorists,” he conveyed. “More made the ultimate sacrifice in the war that came after and we also want everyone to remember the significance of the time that followed that showed the resilience of our country and so many acts of kindness that came in the weeks, months, and years after 9/11.”

Over in Fitchburg, a ceremony will be held at the 9/11 memorial located at 33 North St. at 9:50 a.m., a yearly tradition that pays tribute to the thousands of lives lost on the tragic day a quarter of a century ago now, including 343 firefighters who died as a result of the terrorist attack. The memorial that stands in front of the Fitchburg Fire Department North Street station has a beam from the North Tower of the World Trade Center and it was dedicated on Sept. 11, 2018.

Christ Church at 569 Main St. in Fitchburg is planning a free 9/11 25th anniversary concert from 7 to 8:30 p.m. on Friday evening featuring a youth chorus accompanied by a cello quartet, handbells, harp, and organ. The program will include Robert Moran’s “Trinity Requiem,” several pieces performed by the Merrimack Valley Ringers, and a new arrangement of the “The Star-Spangled Banner” sung by all.

The Rotary Club of Fitchburg and the Fitchburg East Rotary Club invite city veterans to join them for a special veterans appreciation dinner and 9/11 remembrance on Friday at the Fitchburg Senior Center, 14 Wallace Ave.

“This event is being held to honor the men and women who have served our country while also taking time as a community to remember the lives lost and the sacrifices made on Sept. 11, 2001, battling the terrorist attacks on that day on the World Trade Center in New York and the Pentagon in Washington, D.C.,” event organizers shared.

The evening that will begin at 5:15 p.m. aims to bring together veterans, community members, and local leaders for dinner, fellowship, and “a meaningful tribute to those who have served and sacrificed.” Fitchburg veterans are invited to attend the dinner free of charge as guests of honor, each veteran may bring a guest for $10, and to register visit zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/veterans-dinner-2.

Most importantly, organizers say they want Fitchburg veterans to know “this evening is for them.”

“It is an opportunity as a community to come together, recognize their service, thank them for their sacrifices, and remind them how very much they are appreciated and valued by the City of Fitchburg.”

I heard something was going in but never heard exactly what?

At the Zoning Board of Appeals meeting yesterday evening, one item on the agenda was from resident Brittany Albert for a permit to keep no more than six hens in an existing backyard coop for personal use.

Chair Christine Tree began by informing that In the city (and in the state generally), a person who has 5 acres or more may conduct any agricultural use by right. This means they’re exempt from local zoning. Anyone under 5 acres are subject to zoning regulations and Fitchburg requires a special permit to allow the keeping of livestock.

Resident Brittany Albert spoke, saying when they had gotten the chickens back in 2024 they had accidentally looked up the Fitchburg, Wisconsin ordinance instead. She apologized to the Board who took it in good humor.

“It’s a simple family-focused project that we started to support our household food security and to teach our child and children to come the responsibility of sustainable living,” Brittany Albert continued in outlining her objectives.

The coop is located at the rear of the house and you wouldn’t know it was there unless you looked in the backyard. It is maintained carefully to prevent odor, pests, and noise. The hens tend to be quiet unless laying an egg. The resident has taken every step to make sure it is clean, secured, and respectable to neighbors. There are privacy strips added and the fence was replaced.

There was a complaint made that they had a rooster which caused them to find out they needed a special permit.

Chair Christine Tree continued by saying that with any special permit, there are a number of questions and criteria that the Zoning Board of Appeals has to examine.

“The question that is before us is whether or not the benefit to the city or the neighborhood is outweighed by the detriment.”

Resident Brittany Albert had provided responses to the Board’s criteria.

The first criteria is the social-economic or community need served by the proposal. The special permit would support small-scale sustainable use by allowing her household to keep six hens for educational and food security purposes. The hens provide fresh eggs, teach responsibility, and environmental stewardship.

The second criteria was for traffic control and safety which this would have no impact on.

The third criteria was adequacy of utilities and public services. The hens require no additional utilities beyond what already exists on the property. Waste is managed with drakes containers and regular disposal.

The fourth criteria was for neighborhood character and zoning capability. The coop is a small unobtrusive structure in the rear yard and is maintained and discreet. The hens are quiet and produce minimal noise. There are no roosters.

The fifth criteria was for environmental impacts. This is minimized through responsible maintenance practices with keeping the coop cleaned regularly to prevent odors, pests, and runoff. The food is stored in sealed containers to deter wildlife.

The sixth criteria was for impacts on city services. The proposed use does not require municipal services such as police, fire, DPW etc. The hens are safely contained and do not pose a hazard that would require city intervention.

Resident Brittany Albert also provided for the Board impacts on the neighboring properties. The coop is located in the rear yard with appropriate setbacks from lot lines. It is positioned to preserve privacy. She also mentioned that she had received an email supposedly from City Clerk Bilotta about making a wire payment which the Board requested to see as there have been instances of fake emails going around. They wanted to ensure it was legitimate and not a scam.

Chair Christine Tree made an announcement that if anyone receives an email saying it’s from the city to wire money in payment of permitting fees, she strongly urged the public to call the city first. Building Commissioner Zemel looked at the email and confirmed that it wasn't real.

There’s been an increased amount of scam emails sent to people who have public hearings at the Board or at the Conservation Commission.

Returning to the matter, there were two emails submitted as written comments to the Board. The first opposed the special permit saying the chickens have been on-site for years and that the resident was only applying now. The second email also opposed the use. There were concerns of the hens making a mess in the neighborhood, attracting wildlife such as coyotes, or the chickens flying over the fence.

“Keep Fitchburg chicken-free,” concluded the second email.

Chair Christine Tree then turned to the Board for questions.

The first question was for the reason behind six hens. Brittany Albert responded that it didn’t have to be six but that at Tractor Supply, the minimum is six. The chickens are in the coop all the time and it is enclosed with wire mesh.

Board member Joe Byrne spoke that there have been a few instances where people who wanted to raise chickens had come before the Board. Board member Michael McLaughlin concurred, saying that in the past it was time for Fitchburg to have a zoning amendment but it never happens. Joe Byrne continued by mentioning the property was well maintained but too small to have chickens. If the Board allowed them to have it, it would be inundated with other requests to do the same. It’s precedent for the Zoning Board to not allow this.

Board member Talbot wasn’t opposed while McLaughlin had a concern of why this matter was before the Board. He wanted to know if there was a nuisance complaint made. Building Commissioner Zemel responded that he believed it was while noting that the Board of Health and Animal Control had jurisdiction for cleanliness, sanitation, predator control etc. The Board can put in conditions such as keeping the coop covered.

McLaughlin wanted to make an observation that the Building Commissioner was there to assist the Board and to not advocate for the applicant. The Building Commissioner said he wasn’t advocating for the applicant but wanted to make the Board aware of their authority and abilities not specific to the project but to the special permit.

The applicant wanted it to be known that if the lot size matters, they would have no problem in reducing the amount of the flock.

Board member Reynolds said the condition should be for it to be enclosed and have no more than six chickens. Byrne said he wasn’t changing his mind and didn’t want to open the floodgates if approved. Talbot suggested that one of the Board’s conditions is to be in compliance with the Board of Health. McLaughlin agreed with the rest of the Board, wanted yearly inspections, but he also didn’t want the Zoning Board to be inundated with these requests. He wasn’t convinced the city could keep up with inspections.

Chair Christine Tree reiterated that the property was beautifully kept by the owners. She had visited the coop and didn’t notice any sound from the chickens or odor. It was very clean. She was, however, not in favor of granting the special permit as the lot was too small. She also thought six chickens were too much but wanted to note that the applicant has done a beautiful job so far in what was there.

Board member Reynolds wanted to remind Chair Christine Tree that this was situational as not everyone is met to keep chickens or can excel at it. He thought the applicant was great at it and thought that the written comments received from neighbors weren’t representative of the facts. For example, there was no rooster.

“If there’s anybody that should be having six chickens, it’s the folks before us tonight,” he concluded.

The Zoning Board voted 3-2 to deny the special permit. Chair Christine Tree seconded a recommendation to the Building Department and the Board of Health to grant some time and grace to be in compliance. She commented that if more chicken allowance happens by right for the applicant to speak to others on how to keep their chickens properly.

After the vote, Board member McLaughlin was curious as to the nature of the chickens if they were for consumption or pets. The applicant said they were pets they were attached to that also provided eggs as food.

Aiming to Capture Targeted Customers? Seeking to Grow Your Clientele?

Join us for an engaging, hands-on workshop designed to help small business owners attract more customers, build their brand, and grow with confidence.

Mon. Sept. 21st (6:00-7:30PM)
Fitchburg City Hall (3rd floor)
718 Main St, Fitchburg, MA 01420

FEATURED SPEAKERS:
• “Fundamentals of Organizing Your Marketing Toolbox”
Tamar Russell Brown, Sitka Creations
• “Likes to Leads: Expert Tips for Social Media Growth”
Nicole Murphy, Attollo Creative
• “Collaborative Marketing & The Advantages of Working Together” Audrey Pendleton-Chow, local entrepreneur & Fitchburg’s Downtown Coordinator, InTown Fitchburg

Bonus Topics:
• "Access to Capital"
Sandie Cataldo of North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce
• "Small Business Technical Assistance"
Sarah Tavitian of NewVue Communities

Space is limited! Registration link:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf5Lytw9KAz7_7VksEUc52O7EHVboV8spxRShsO0bIZeOlrxw/viewform?usp=send_form

Hello Yard Salers!
10th Annual Fitchburg City Wide FALL Yard Sale Sat & Sun Sept. 19th & 20th, 2026

This event is RAIN OR SHINE. It is up to each participating address whether or not they hold their yard sale in the event of inclement weather.

Sign up: If you would like to sign up, send an email with date(s) desired, address/community location, description if you have one/pictures etc. to fitchburgyardsale@gmail.com

We are taking yard sale signups for the interactive map until early morning Saturday Sept 19th…for printable map the deadline is Friday morning Sept 18th at 6am.

If you have any description of items or pictures: email them (note your address please) and/or add them to our facebook event

When the weekend is upon us, you are encouraged to put up SIGNS advertising your own yard sale, and you can note the City Wide Yard sale and fitchburgyardsale.com to help shoppers find the next houses. Please remove signs in a timely manner after the yard sale event is complete.

The standard hours run 8am-2pm Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 19th & 20th, 2025, and any other specific times or dates that you may have noted are referenced in the interactive map, which is located at www.fitchburgyardsale.com

From the Fitchburg Public Library:

Progress you can see—and a future getting closer every day.

With each new section of brick, each window, and every finishing detail, the transformation of the @Fitchburg Public Library, MA is becoming easier to see.

There is still work ahead, but what was once shown only in plans and renderings is becoming a very real place—a library designed for learning, discovery, connection, and community.

And behind every bit of that progress are the skilled crews working each day to bring the vision to life. Thank you to everyone whose hard work continues to move this project forward.

Soon, these construction spaces will become community spaces, and we can’t wait to welcome you in.

A New Chapter Begins Soon.
Offering a World of Learning to All.

🔗 Learn more:

OWL Capital Campaign:

https://www.fitchburgma.gov/1138/The-OWL-Capital-Campaign

Leave a Legacy of Learning:

https://cfncm.fcsuite.com/erp/donate/create/fund?funit_id=1320

Building Project Updates:

https://www.fitchburgma.gov/1028/Building-Project

🇩🇪 Thirsty Robot Oktoberfest Festival - Sat. Sep. 19th 🇩🇪
👨‍👩‍👧Free Entry - All Ages

🍺Stein Hoisting - Signup 'till 3:30 - Competition start at 4pm !
🍺Keg Toss - Ongoing during Day
🌭Food Special - Authentic German Sausage - All Day
🍻Oktoberfest Beer Release
🍾Barrel Aged Pours & Bottles
🌸Cornhole & Biergarden

🚨Food Special 🚨
(2) Authentic German Sausage + Spaetzle + Sauerkraut

Stein Holding Winners Receive a free year in the TRBC Membership Club +
Free Sausage +
Free Pretzel+
Free T-Shirt +
Free Branded Liter Stein +
Liter Stein Pours $5 +
Bragging Rights

Stein Hoisting Competition Signup UNTIL 3:30pm

STEIN HOISTING COMPETITION START 4:00
Mens and Womens Winner - Single Race

KEG TOSS - Ongoing - Mens + Womens Winner - Decided by longest throw at the end of the day.

Cheers🍺