The Winchendon Courier
Serving the community since 1878 ~ A By Light Unseen Media publication
Week of July 29 to August 5, 2021

The Park Theatre Sets Opening Date

Ribbon Cutting Event Set for August 5 at 11:00 a.m.

JAFFREY, New Hampshire (July 27, 2021) The Park Theatre will open its doors after a 20-year quest. The new performing arts center will have its ribbon cutting on Thursday, August 5, at 11:00 a.m.

The Park Theatre was the center of year-round entertainment from the day it opened its doors in 1922 until it presented its last film in 1976.

A group of Jaffrey residents had the vision to re-open the theatre to enhance Jaffrey's downtown. In 2005 a nonprofit was formed, and fundraising to acquire the property commenced. In 2006, the original theatre was purchased from Roy and Nancy Stone. In 2013, the board of trustees decided the best way to keep Vanni's vision going for the next 100 years was to build a new two auditorium complex with technology and building features that would make it one of the most unique venues in New England.

"This project is the culmination of the efforts of more than 1,000 people. We are so proud to present the new theatre to our town, the region, and New England. Recently retired board president, Caroline Hollister relentlessly held the torch to see that The Park Theatre would be a reality," said Nancy Belletete, board president of The Park Theatre.

"We can't wait for our fans, supporters, and new guests to visit the theatre and experience an astounding live performance and film center. In our main auditorium, we have a 17-speaker surround sound projection system with a 27' wide screen. Our acoustics for live performances have already been heralded by musicians and conductors. The variety of entertainment will be wide. There will be something for everyone including concerts, plays, dance, comedy, magic, storytelling, speakers plus workshop programs in film and theatre for children and adults," said Steve Jackson, CEO and Managing Director of The Park Theatre.

After the ribbon-cutting, two classic films will be presented as part of a "Quarter Day" in the two auditoriums, Field of Dreams and the 1950 Walt Disney production of Cinderella. The ticket price will be 25 cents for either film. Popcorn for those films will be 10 cents.

Regular movies will begin that evening with America's #1 movie, Space Jam: A New Legacy, in the Eppes 333-seat auditorium. The Green Knight, a brand new epic fantasy adventure starring Dav Patel (Slumdog Millionaire, Lion) in the King 77-seat auditorium.

Upcoming events include the world premiere (August 11) of Last Boat From Bordeaux, a documentary film about a 16-year old boy from Belgium who in 1940 escapes Nazi occupation with just a bike and 500 francs in his pocket.

Award-winning Celtic fiddle band Jordan Tirrell-Wysocki Trio will debut as the first live performance on Friday, August 13.

Future concerts include Symphony NH (Dec), Keene Chorale: Handel's Messiah (Dec), Christ Fitz Blues Band (Oct), Peterborough Folk Music Society: Cheryl Wheeler & Kenny White and Le Vent du Nord (Oct), Electric Earth: Vivaldi's Four Seasons (Nov) and much more.

Tickets for August events can be purchased online at theparktheatre.org or by calling the box office (603) 532-8888.

Senators Call on Baker to Sever Ties with Controversial Consulting Firm

(BOSTON) (July 27, 2021) - State Senators Diana DiZoglio (D-Methuen) and Anne M. Gobi (D-Spencer) are calling on Governor Charles Baker (R-Swampscott) to end his Administration's relationship with McKinsey & Co., the consulting firm that earlier this year paid out $573 million for its involvement in the nation's opioid crisis.

Recently, the Governor's Administration tasked McKinsey & Co. with conducting a report to assess the COVID-19 pandemic's impact on work behavior. This came on the heels of the Administration earlier providing funds to the firm for consultation on the state's pandemic response.

This past February, McKinsey & Co. settled a lawsuit brought by Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey (D-Boston) and 46 other state Attorneys General after admitting to their role in helping Purdue Pharma bolster the sale of opioids like Oxycontin to increase profits.

In a letter to the Governor, dated July 27, Senators DiZoglio and Gobi requested the Administration sever ties with McKinsey & Co. immediately and "stop wasting taxpayer dollars on a company that has a proven record of violating the public trust."

"It is simply unconscionable that the Administration would reward McKinsey & Co. with additional state contracts after all of the pain they have inflicted upon families in Massachusetts and across the country," said DiZoglio. "That they have been tasked with the preparation of critical reports on COVID-19 metrics is all the more confounding. The Administration must end its relationship with this notorious firm as soon as possible."

"People have the right to know their tax dollars are being spent appropriately and they also need to have reassurance that reports generated from those tax dollars can be relied upon," said Gobi. "Unfortunately, this fails in both arenas."

MassDOT Announces Over $6 Million in Complete Streets Funding Program Awards

Funding provided to 18 municipalities to enable safe, convenient, and comfortable travel for users of all ages and abilities.

NEWBURYPORT (July 23, 2021) - Today, Lt. Governor Karyn Polito joined Acting Transportation Secretary and CEO Jamey Tesler and Highway Administrator Jonathan Gulliver to announce $6.05 million in awards to 18 communities as part of round one of the Fiscal Year 2022 Complete Streets Funding Program. These grant awards will be used by recipient municipalities to fund local multimodal infrastructure projects that improve travel for bicyclists, pedestrians, public transit users, and people using other forms of transportation.

A "Complete Street" is one that enables safe, convenient, and comfortable travel for users of all ages and abilities regardless of their mode of transportation. Administered by MassDOT, the Complete Streets Funding Program aims to teach communities about Complete Streets and encourage the integration of Complete Streets into regular local planning practices. Since its launch in 2016, 235 municipalities have worked through the program to adopt a local Complete Streets Policy and 206 municipalities have advanced even further to develop an approved Complete Streets Prioritization Plan. A representative from each municipality registered with the program also attends a training course to learn about Complete Streets.

"The Complete Streets Funding Program has awarded $61 million in funding through 190 grant awards since 2016 to support municipalities in their ongoing efforts to improve their transportation infrastructure, build safe, convenient and easily accessible transportation networks and to facilitate economic development opportunities," said Governor Charlie Baker. "This program continues to make great strides in increasing mobility and connectivity to ensure that safe transportation options are available throughout the Commonwealth."

"Since taking office, our administration has been proud to help communities create safer transportation options through this flexible grant program," said Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito. "People who want to travel around cities or towns need safe transportation infrastructure and adding a crosswalk, widening a sidewalk or installing a bicycle lane, are some of the ways that communities can make it safer and more efficient for people to leave their vehicle at home and walk, bike or take public transit to schools, stores and other important destinations."

"Cities and towns across the Commonwealth are safer today than they were several years ago for people walking, bicycling and taking public transportation due to grants awarded through the Complete Streets Funding Program to create crosswalks, widen sidewalks, install pedestrian traffic signals, expand bicycle lanes and make travel easier between bus stops and public transit stations," said Acting Transportation Secretary and CEO Jamey Tesler. "Under the leadership of Governor Baker and Lt. Governor Polito, MassDOT has helped municipalities improve connections for the public between neighborhoods, schools, job centers, retail areas and other locations."

Today's announcement regarding the Complete Streets Funding Program provides funding to the following communities:

Auburn received $231,216 to install a new multi-use path that will provide safe and reliable access from Auburn Street to the Auburn Public Library, providing a direct route for pedestrians and bicyclists to travel between the library and Goddard Park.

Brookfield received $400,000 to improve safety and access along River Street (Route 148) to Post Road/South Maple Street (Route 9) with new sidewalks and pavement markings to delineate bi-directional travel lanes, a parking lane and bicycle facilities. The project also involves implementing geometric upgrades at the road's intersection with Post Road (Route 9) to provide safe access for pedestrians at the Brookfield Elementary School.

Cambridge received $400,000 to construct a ten-foot two-way separated bike lane and a sidewalk where there is currently none along the north side of Huron Avenue between Fresh Pond Parkway and Glacken Field.

East Bridgewater received $372,531 for the installation of new sidewalks, bicycle racks, Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons, tactile warning panels, and speed feedback signs at various locations.

Fairhaven received $332,636 to conduct a lane diet and add buffered bike lanes along Alden and Howland Roads to Bridge Street, as well as to provide crosswalk improvements, new bus shelters, and speed feedback signs at various locations.

Lancaster received $400,000 to implement traffic calming principles to increase safety at intersection of Main Street, Center Bridge Road, and Neck Road. The project will also reconstruct 2,100 feet of sidewalk on the northwest side of Main Street between the Nashua River Bridge and Whitcomb Drive and extend curbs and add a Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacon at an existing crosswalk on Main Street at George Hill Road.

Lenox received $398,035 to upgrade existing crosswalks, replace curb ramps, and install new curb extensions, a Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacon, and speed feedback signs in various locations near Lenox Memorial Middle/High School.

Medford received $400,000 to implement safety improvements at Haines Square including ADA-compliant curb ramps, detectable warning surfaces, sidewalks, curb extensions, crosswalks, bicycle signage, and bicycle-safe drain grates.

Millbury received $225,501 to install pedestrian, bicyclist, drainage, and landscaping improvements along Elm Street from Harris Place to River Street, providing key improvements to pedestrian and bicyclist safety.

Natick received $336,942 to implement pedestrian and bicycle safety improvements along Campus Drive/West Street adjacent to Natick High School, closing important network gaps.

North Brookfield received $400,000 to reconstruct deteriorated sidewalk and install new LED lighting, ADA-compliant pedestrian ramps, curb extensions, mid-block pedestrian crosswalks, parking stall markings, landscaping, and signage on the east side of North Main Street from the Hannaford Supermarket entrance to Maple Street.

Northbridge received $400,000 to provide crosswalk improvements and wayfinding for the Mumford Riverwalk at the intersection of Linwood Avenue and Cross Street, as well as to construct a sidewalk on the southbound side of Linwood Avenue to the Mumford Riverwalk. The project will also reconstruct a section of sidewalk in front of the Northbridge Middle School sports fields and improve the existing crossings on the north side of Linwood Avenue between the Northbridge Middle and High Schools.

Norwell received $199,056 for the installation of 1,900 feet of sidewalk and several new crosswalks on the north side of Main Street/Route 123 between Paradise Drive and Lincoln Street.

Rutland received $399,983 to improve access and safety in the downtown area with sidewalk and crosswalk improvements, as well as the installation of new bike racks at various locations near student and senior destinations.

Springfield received $192,500 for the installation of bicycle facilities along a critical gap in the Tapley Street Corridor as well as the construction of new sidewalks on Bay Street to better serve pedestrians near Central High School. The project will also implement improvements along Trafton Road including sidewalk, sharrows, and bike signage.

Uxbridge received $399,316 to improve safety, mobility and accessibility for residents with pedestrian improvements around Whitin Elementary School. This includes constructing accessible curb ramps at Rogerson Crossing and Londonderry Way and reconstructing 1,100 feet of sidewalk along the east side of Granite Street to Hartford Avenue. The project will also replace the crosswalk at Rogerson Crossing and two crosswalks at Londonderry Way.

Whately received $165,098 to construct a shared use path and new crossing with pedestrian warning signs from Long Plain Road to Whately Elementary School. The project will also implement a road diet on Conway Road from Upper Reservoir to Webber Road and install solar-powered radar speed feedback signs at various locations. Funding will also be used to reconstruct existing sidewalk on the east side of roadway from Town Hall to the Congregational Church.

Winchendon received $399,831 to redesign the Maple Street/Central Street intersection to close network gaps and create connectivity to and between public amenities and vital services by implementing a lane diet and new pedestrian and bicyclist accommodations.

Approximately, 40 percent of the total award dollars will fund projects located in Environmental Justice communities. Environmental Justice communities are determined using U.S. Census data and are defined by the Commonwealth as communities in which the median household income is equal to or less than 65 percent of the statewide median, 25 percent or more of the residents identify as a race other than white, or 25 percent or more of households have no one over the age of 14 who speaks English only or very well.

Municipalities may apply for up to $400,000 in construction project funding in one application. Examples of project elements that can be implemented through the program include sidewalks, multimodal paths, bicycle lanes, improved street lighting, and pedestrian signalization at crosswalks or intersections.

The Baker-Polito Administration's Complete Streets Program to date has awarded over $61 million to municipalities for statewide construction projects. In addition, $7.4 million in Technical Assistance funding has been given to communities to assist them in the development of a Complete Streets Prioritization Plan. Since the launch of the program in 2016, 235 municipalities have passed their own Complete Streets Policy. 206 communities have advanced even further to develop an approved Complete Streets Prioritization Plan.

For more information about the Complete Streets Funding Program, visit www.masscompletestreets.com.