https://www.sentinelandenterprise.com/2026/07/23/100-more-layoffs-from-community-healthlink-closure/

UMass Memorial Health has posted an updated WARN letter, announcing an additional 104 layoffs due to phased closure of its Community Healthlink behavioral heath and substance use treatment program, bringing the total to 231 layoffs.

UMass Memorial had announced the closure of Community Healthlink, and an associated 127 planned layoffs between Leominster, Worcester and Webster in June. These new 104 layoffs will be spread between Leominster and Worcester

Now, as of July 15, the number has been updated on the state WARN mass-layoff website to 231 planned layoffs, which is another 100 more layoffs than was announced in June (spread between Leominster and Worcester) due to the closure of Community Healthlink.

“Community Healthlink (CHL) programs have served a critical role in supporting the health and wellbeing of residents across Central Massachusetts in need of behavioral healthcare. Over the last several years, CHL has been navigating significant pressures that have impacted its ability to successfully operate the essential services that our clients and communities need,” wrote UMass Memorial Health Media and Public Relations Manager Kristy Lee, in response to inquiries about the additional layoffs.

“To ensure ongoing access to specialized behavioral health care in the region, CHL and UMass Memorial Health leadership are working with local community organizations and state agencies to identify new operators to sustain services currently provided by CHL. We are also supporting impacted caregivers by helping them identify other positions within the UMass Memorial Health system or within the community partner organizations. As part of this process, Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act (WARN) notices are legally required as positions end at Community Healthlink and, in many cases, transition to these new operators.

“CHL’s priority is to ensure that our clients and all individuals seeking care across Central Massachusetts continue to receive high-quality behavioral health services. Many CHL programs remain open, operational, and continue to take referrals.”

Lee said “The approximately 100 staff who received WARN notices last week work at programs that will transition to Clinical and Support Options in mid-September. Previous notices were for programs transitioning at the end of June and mid-August.”

Leominster Mayor Dean Mazzarella said he is going to reach out to UMass Memorial to make sure the transition to other providers is done in a way that caters to the needs of the clients.

“I think the most important thing is communicating with the clients on where they’re supposed to go,” Mazzarella said.
“You need personalized attention and as a city we’ll have to step in if they’re going to leave a void. …. You can’t leave people out there, not everyone is so savvy, all the forms people have to fill out … it’s not just leading people to a website and say ‘Here you go.'”

Mazzarella he had received no word from UMass Memorial about the motivation to want to end the Community Healthlink program, but he noted that it assisted a lot of vulnerable people, who will continue to need services.
So he said he will try to contact UMass Memorial to make sure a transition team is set up to carefully make sure that the clients understand their options and are able to continue to get the proper care.

Mazzarella said he’s also heard that it’s possible that some of the other agencies that will take on the clients dropped by UMass Memorial and may hire some of the workers that were laid off, and he said he hopes that is the case. Plus he heard there’s even been interest expressed in some of the clinical space that was occupied by the Community Healthlink program, by programs that will be serving many of the same clients.

Fitchburg Mayor Sam Squailia posted the updated WARN notice, announcing the additional 100 layoffs, on her Facebook page, but did not comment on the move.
The UMass Memorial’s Community HealthLink program has offered a wide range of behavioral health and substance use recovery services across Worcester County, including an office in Leominster.

UMass Memorial said it started letting patients know of the closure in June, and has started to let clients know how they can continue their care with other institutions.
UMass Memorial has set up a web page with information where patients can find the Community Healthlink program updates at: UMMHealth.org/Community-Healthlink/About-Us/Program-Updates.

“UMass Memorial Health and Community Healthlink recognize the essential role that comprehensive behavioral health services play in helping community members recover from mental health, substance use, and homelessness,” says a statement on the website. “As we work toward the eventual closure of Community Healthlink, our main priority is ensuring that the clients and communities we serve can access the care they need in pursuit of their health, healing and recovery.

“Currently, we want to emphasize that almost all Community Healthlink programs are open and fully operational (with closure expected on Sept. 16). Clients can continue seeking Community Healthlink’s programs and services as they normally would, while providers can continue to make referrals through the usual channels.

“We are working with trusted and highly respected community-based organizations that are interested in operating Community Healthlink’s programs, including Behavioral Health Network, Clinical and Support Options, the Central Massachusetts Housing Alliance, Open Sky, Eliot Community Human Services, and Mentor South Bay. Together with these partners, we are working carefully to ensure that there is continuity of care — meaning no disruption in people’s access to our services,” the website says.

Listed in the WARN letter among the latest batch of layoffs are program directors, assistant program directors, early intervention specialists, clinicians, receptionists, case managers, registered nurses and others working at DCF Family Needs at 100 Erdman Way in Leominster, the Counseling Center Leominster office, the North County Adult Mobile Crisis Intervention Office and the Youth Mobile Crisis Intervention office all at 40 Spruce St. in Leominster, as well as similar positions at the the PACT 3 office at 133 Prichard St. in Fitchburg, and the Orchard Street Program at 17 Orchard St., Leominster, and other related offices.

🎒📚 Back to School event in Fitchburg!
Casa Plenitud de Vida is hosting a Back to School event for families:

📅 Saturday, August 1
🕚 11:00 AM
📍 Casa Plenitud de Vida at 800 South Street, Fitchburg

🎒 Free school bags
✏️ Free school supplies
💇 Free haircuts for boys
🍽️ Free food

There will also be games and activities for kids, including a bounce house, dunk tank, face painting, tug of war, spoon egg race, and potato sack race.

Thank you to Casa Plenitud de Vida and everyone helping make this event happen for Fitchburg families as students get ready for the new school year.

QR code link:

https://us02web.zoom.us/survey/t8xaQ4sxw9jEJ3cVJ8K3qBeZ-QzuLFfmBvUkE1n85LJowJWBNsk.CEYldJIKJqRB9XTZ/view?id=MUvjPlCQRL-tZhJikZgLug#/sharePreview

https://outage-map.unitil.com/

From Carrie Noseworthy, Leominster Ward 5 City Councilor:

Ward 5, I would like to thank Mayor Sam Squailia, the Fitchburg City Council and their DPW for painting these islands a bright yellow. I did my best to safely take pictures as shown.

A constituent spoke to me a bit ago about wanting something done to make the islands outside of the Twin City Plaza more visible especially when it gets darker out. After some research, it turns out the the City of Fitchburg owns both sets of islands even though it looks like they are in Leominster. After some advocacy with our sister City, I was appreciative they were going to work on visibility to improve safety conditions for both of our Cities!

This is what community, collaboration and good governance looks like! Proactive safety measures always put a smile on my face!

Second image is from the book “Trackless Trolleys of Fitchburg & Leominster Street Railway” as posted in the Fitchburg Historical Society group on Facebook.

https://www.sentinelandenterprise.com/2026/07/21/police-id-victim-in-fatal-motorcycle-accident-in-fitchburg/

The Fitchburg Police Department have identified the person who died in the motorcycle accident last week on Ashby State Road (Route 31) as Shawn Clapper, 44, of Fitchburg.

The crash occurred at 3:29 p.m. on Saturday, July 11. Police said Clapper was transported to a local hospital where he was pronounced deceased a short time later.

Police said a car was also involved in the accident, but no further details about how the crash occurred were available. Police said they are still investigating the crash.
A Go Fund Me page has been established by Wendy Lopez to help pay for funeral expenses, which has raised $10,933 of the $12,000 goal through 77 donations.

https://www.gofundme.com/f/in-loving-memory-of-shawn-clapper

“Our family is devastated by the sudden and tragic loss of my beloved brother, who passed away following a motorcycle accident,” was written on the Go Fund Me page. “This heartbreaking loss has left us in shock, and we are struggling to come to terms with life without him. My brother was deeply loved by so many. He brought laughter, strength, and kindness into the lives of everyone who knew him. He wasn’t just a brother — he was a son, a family member, a friend, and someone whose presence made a lasting impact. His memory will live on in the hearts of those who loved him.

“As we navigate this unimaginable loss, we are also facing the unexpected financial burden of funeral and burial expenses. We are asking for help so we can give him the respectful and meaningful farewell he deserves. Any contribution, no matter how small, will go directly toward his funeral and burial costs. … Thank you for your prayers, your kindness, and your generosity. Your love and support remind us that we are not facing this alone, and we are forever grateful for everyone helping us honor my brother’s life and memory.

The Legislative Affairs Committee met on Tuesday, July 21 with one item on the agenda: the approval of price increases for the city cemeteries.

Jacquelyn Poirier, the Cemetery Superintendent, gave a presentation outlining the increases. (See attached images: first two pages are the 2024 prices and the last two pages are the new 2026 prices)

Poirier started by explaining that there has not been a cemetery price increase since January 2024. Every few years the Trustees of Public Burial Grounds take a look at the prices and see where they are. In comparison to other local cemeteries to see if prices were in range, Fitchburg’s prices were a little lower than others. 

The new prices reflect these changes such as a $100 increase for single graves, from $1500 to $1600. For opening charges there was no price increase as the Trustees try to keep the prices down for the residents of Fitchburg as much as they can. Some of the price increases are due to higher vendor and supplier prices such as for the Mausoleum/Crypt, cremated remains, urn vaults, and memorial benches that are being passed on.

The other major difference is the Frost Fee as seasonally required to now be from December 1 to April 1. A frost fee is typically an additional charge levied by cemeteries for grave openings or monument installations during the colder months. The Trustees wanted it to be clearer on the dates.

Council President Zarrella asked about the shortage of grave sites and whether any consideration was given that the prices reflected the scarcity in the city. It was not considered as there are 26 acres across the street on Electric Avenue from Forest Hill to develop. Poirier mentioned that Forest Hill Cemetery probably has five years left. In 2024, prices for non-residents were raised significantly.

Council President Zarrella’s follow-up question was on the subject of non-residents and the shortage subject to further development. He asked if the Trustees had considered closing Fitchburg’s cemeteries to non-residents. It wasn’t with the 2026 price adjustment discussions.

Councilor Starr asked how much longer does the city have and what the timeline was to break ground across the street from Forest Hill Cemetery. Superintendent Poirier commented that there were two different master plans done but the problem now is having funding to start work. It’s been in the budget for quite a few years to start with the design phase but unfortunately it hasn’t made it through yet and is now at a critical point to move forward.

Council President Zarrella followed Councilor Starr’s question about the timeline asking what it would look like from the point the funds are provided. Superintendent Poirier responded that the design phase would take about a year with a few years for the rest of the process to get the additional land along Electric Avenue available.

Committee Chair Walsh asked in regard to closing the cemeteries to outside residents. Superintendent Poirier said it was a consideration she could bring forth to the board to see if there was interest. It could be addressed at a future time.

Councilor Van Hazinga commented that he wasn’t opposed to price catching up since it’s been a couple years and prices needed to reflect the costs.

Councilor Cragin made a public comment virtually towards the end as Committee Chair Walsh completely forgot to look at the screen. Councilor Cragin spoke on the rise of inflation in the last few years and it must have hit the cemetery department significantly with suppliers raising costs accordingly.

The increases were unanimously passed by 5-0.

Councilors are asking questions and I’ll try to have a write-up once the FATV video is up so I can review again.

Hello Fitchburg! Just checking in to share an exciting update to our guest list. The Million Dollar Man is coming to Plastic City Comic Con! Meet WWE Hall of Famer Ted DiBiase on Saturday, August 22, 2026 at the DoubleTree by Hilton in Leominster, MA!

This is one experience you won’t want to miss!

99 Erdman Way, Leominster, MA 01453

10AM - 4PM (Early VIP at 9AM- see our website for VIP details!)

Tickets on sale now via Eventbrite- visit our web site https://www.plasticcitycomiccon.com for more info. Kids 12 & under FREE with paid adult.

Congratulations to Rosario Nicotra, Manuel Joaquin, and Prime Real Estate on their Ribbon Cutting of 633-639 Main St (also known as the "Rome Penan & Rome" building)! Their apartments units are gorgeous and have a combo washer-dryer in each unit, door cam buzzer, big windows, and wood floors.

But first, did you know that next to the Club XCL$V clubxclsv custom clothing store, the commercial units are available for rent! They've got sprinklers, big space for window displays, and one of the units has a little house with bay windows fasçade inside it!

Interested? Reach out to Tracy Sladen of LAER Realty LAER Realty Partners

At tonight’s City Council there will be a special presentation by the Board of Health on introducing a “Pay as You Throw” trash disposal program in the city.

The meeting is at 7 PM at 700 Main St.

Join us on Friday, July 24, at Coolidge Park for a special event! Children and teens who receive a meal will also receive a free giveaway—including beach towels, reusable water bottles, and sun visors—while supplies last.

🎨 CALL FOR PROFESSIONAL ARTISTS 🎨

Applications are now open for the 4th Annual Lowe Park Chalk Art Festival!

We’re looking for talented professional chalk artists to help transform Lowe Park into a vibrant outdoor gallery while inspiring creativity and bringing our community together through public art.

🗓 Festival Date: Saturday, September 12, 2026
🌧 Rain Date: Friday, September 18, 2026
📍 Location: Lowe Park • Fitchburg, Massachusetts

💰 Selected artists will receive a stipend.

⏰ Application Deadline: Sunday, August 16, 2026

Apply online: https://forms.gle/UE9uYsgr19NfhcFu8

Thank you to our sponsors: Fitchburg Parks & Recreation, Fitchburg Cultural Alliance, City of Fitchburg, Fitchburg State University, Fidelity Bank and NewVue Communities.

Agendas for the Legislative Affairs committee and the City Council meeting this evening.

The big item this evening is the presentation from the Fitchburg Board of Health on the proposed “Pay As You Throw” trash disposal program that Fitchburg may move toward.

If this is an important issue to you, please attend the City Council meeting at 7 PM at 700 Main Street and be part of public comment at the beginning of the meeting. Each person is given up to 2 minutes to speak.

If you can’t attend in person, you can request a remote attendance link by contacting the City Clerk at [email protected] by 12:00 PM (noon) today.

If you can’t attend at all, you can also email the City Council at:

[email protected]

If you want to contact Councilors individually, you can find their contact info at:

https://www.fitchburgma.gov/385/City-Council