Amidst Strong State Returns, DiNatale's Backing of Sales Tax Holiday Likely (07/07/10)
BOSTON -- As Bay Staters wait for a reprieve from the heat, House lawmakers may be ready to provide a little relief for their wallets.
DiNatale Backs Bill Aimed at Gateway Cities (07/05/10)
FITCHBURG -- Legislation offering financial incentives for residential and commercial development in so-called gateway communities, such as Fitchburg and Leominster, is scheduled for debate this week on Beacon Hill.
DiNatale Joins Community in Honoring Fallen Veterans (05/31/10)
FITCHBURG -- More than 100 white crosses and one white Star of David lined Fitchburg's Monument Park Sunday, providing a visual reminder of what Memorial Day is all about.
DiNatale Welcomes Patrick's Concern for Health Costs on Small Business Owners (05/29/10)
FITCHBURG -- Gov. Deval Patrick reiterated his call for health-insurance reform during a visit with small-business leaders from the region on Friday.
DiNatale Supports Crackdown on Illegal Immigration Benefits (04/30/10)
BOSTON -- A razor-thin vote margin in the House to block a crackdown on illegal immigrants receiving state benefits underscored a shifting view toward immigration in the Legislature as nervous politicians prepare to face voters frustrated by government waste.
DiNatale Votes in Favor of Repeal of Alcohol Tax/Roll-back of Sales Tax to 5% (04/27/10)
DiNatale Votes Against Property-Tax Hike Proposal (04/27/10)
BOSTON -- House leaders backed off a proposal to allow communities to raise property taxes beyond the 2.5 percent annual cap in order to pay for tax abatements without so much as a fight, striking it from a larger municipal-relief bill aimed at helping cities and towns manage their local budgets in the face of state-aid cuts.
DiNatale Opposes Tax Hike Proposal (04/25/10)
BOSTON -- A quietly unveiled proposal to skirt local property tax caps landed with a thud last week on Beacon Hill where many local lawmakers quickly backed away from the plan and vowed to vote against the tax hike.
DiNatale Backs DeLeo Casino Bill (04/10/10)
BOSTON -- The upcoming vote to license resort casinos and slot machines in Massachusetts has put many local House lawmakers in the difficult position of explaining why they now support a plan they once opposed.
DiNatale Announces Bid for Re-Election (04/10/10)
DiNatale: No Significant Improvements from Unitil and Poor Efficiency Still Evident (03/19/10)
DiNatale Backs Bill to Not Reduce Local Aid for FY11 (03/11/10)
BOSTON -- City and town officials could get the bad news before the end of the week that local aid to schools and government services will be slashed by as much as 5 percent in next year's state budget.
DiNatale Praises Federal Funding for Extension of Fitchburg Commuter-rail Line (02/19/10)
FITCHBURG -- A $55 million federal grant will pay to extend the Fitchburg commuter-rail line 4.5 miles into West Fitchburg and build a new station there, a move that will give more people train access to and from Boston, and ultimately bolster the local economy, say local, state and federal officials.
DiNatale Aims to Secure More Funding for School Nursing Programs (01/28/10)
On some days, Jacqueline Lessard feels more like a sprinter than the nurse at Arthur M. Longsjo Jr. Middle School.
DiNatale Vows to Continue to Push for Competition for Electricity Services (01/28/10)
As the winter months drag on, the temperature on the thermostat is not the only number that is on the rise. Most Massachusetts residents have no choice but to pay the high bill that comes with heating their homes.
DiNatale: More Ice Storm Aid Hopefully Coming (12/11/09)
Picking up downed trees was one of the focuses of clean-up during the Ice Storm of 2008. FILE PHOTO Picking up downed trees was one of the focuses of clean-up during the Ice Storm of 2008. FILE PHOTO While residents still try to recover from the emotional toll of one of the most devastating winter storms ever to hit the region, city and town officials are still trying to recover the financial toll the Ice Storm of 2008 had on their communities.
DiNatale Co-Hosts Senate Hopeful AG Martha Coakley at Slattery's (12/4/09)
FITCHBURG -- Attorney General Martha Coakley stood by her position on abortion access under health-care reform, and other hot-button issues surrounding the race for the U.S. Senate democratic nomination, at Slattery's Restaurant in Fitchburg on Thursday evening.
DiNatale: Work Continues Outside of Boston (11/23/09)
BOSTON -- Local lawmakers said Friday they were not surprised by Gov. Deval Patrick's public scolding for heading into a holiday break without taking action on key education and crime reforms.
DiNatale: "Unitil" Bill a Victory, but Not the End (11/13/09)
LUNENBURG -- State and local officials packed into Lunenburg Town Hall Thursday to witness Gov. Deval Patrick sign into law new legislation that subjects public utility companies to much steeper penalties if they fail to properly serve communities.
DiNatale Honors Veterans (11/12/09)
FITCHBURG -- A veteran is someone who has faced risk with great bravery, state Rep. Stephen DiNatale, D-Fitchburg, said on Wednesday, during the city's Veterans Day exercises at the Fitchburg Senior Center.
DiNatale: Casinos Worth a Review (10/29/09)
BOSTON -- As the leading critic of expanded gambling, state Sen. Susan Tucker hopes she has a winning hand to play with the issue poised to reclaim the spotlight on Beacon Hill.
DiNatale: College Dorm Re-vamp "Impressive" (10/14/09)
FITCHBURG -- Fitchburg State College and city officials celebrated the grand opening of a $19 million renovation of the Mara Village residence halls on the college's campus Tuesday morning.
DiNatale Endorses AG Coakley for U.S. Senate Seat (09/15/09)
FITCHBURG -- Some local officials, including Fitchburg Mayor Lisa Wong, state Rep. Stephen DiNatale, D-Fitchburg, and state Sen. Jennifer Flanagan, D-Leominster, say they're supporting Attorney General Martha Coakley in her bid to be the state's next U.S. senator.
DiNatale Applauds Superior Court's Decision against Unitil (09/11/09)
WORCESTER -- A Worcester Superior Court judge has denied a motion by lawyers representing Unitil Corp. to throw out a class-action lawsuit alleging gross negligence in the company's response to an ice storm last December.
DiNatale: No Interim Senator is Needed (09/02/09)
FITCHBURG -- State Rep. Stephen DiNatale, D-Fitchburg, said he's opposed to changing a state law to allow Gov. Deval Patrick to appoint an interim U.S. senator to fill the seat left by the late Edward M. Kennedy.
DiNatale "Wholeheartedly" Supports Park Creation (08/23/09)
FITCHBURG — The Stathis family has lived in the Sheldon Street neighborhood for more than 30 years; Katrina Stathis-Couture remembers sledding down the hill in winter and the Fitchburg Yarn mill burning down in 1983. She is interested in seeing the 5-acre vacant lot developed for the enjoyment of nature.
DiNatale Joins Community in Annual "Rock the Peace March" (08/23/09)
FITCHBURG -- Saturday morning showers could not stop a crowd of 50 from marching for peace for the sixth year in a row.
DiNatale: Crocker Field a "Gem/Critical Piece" to Community (08/05/09)
FITCHBURG — The years-long effort to restore historic Crocker Field is gaining momentum.
DiNatale: Filling Vacant Housing "Critical" (07/10/09)
About 70 of the Fitchburg Housing Authority's rental units are vacant, but the state is still paying a subsidy for the empty units, FHA Executive Director Robert W. Hill said.
DiNatale: Parks like Coolidge (06/13/09)
Fitchburg Community Development Director David Streb said the new ultra-soft and safe polyurethane matting on the redesigned and expanded playground at Coolidge Park makes it feel like "you're walking on a mattress while playing on the playground."
DiNatale: AG Proposed Fine Against Unitil a "Bargain" (06/06/09)
FITCHBURG -- The Attorney g zeneral has recommended that Unitil be forced to pay a $4.6 million fine for "ineptitude" in preparing and responding to December's ice storm, which left thousands of North Central Massachusetts residents without power for up to two weeks.
DiNatale: Mental Health Programs Put People Back to Work (06/06/09)
The Westwinds Clubhouse celebrated the success of its 180 members last week, during a breakfast with local state officials, and members of the Department of Mental Health and Community Healthlink.
DiNatale's Utility Bill Directed at Unitil Passed by House (06/04/09)
BOSTON -- The House passed a set of new laws Wednesday aimed at holding public utility companies more accountable to their customers in the wake of last year's devastating ice storm by increasing fines and threatening to put companies in receivership if they fail to perform.
DiNatale to FSC Graduates: Enjoy This Day (05/15/09)
FITCHBURG -- College President Robert Antonucci called on graduates to lead lives of "determination and commitment" during Fitchburg State College's commencement Thursday night.
DiNatale/Wong Announce $1.1M in FEMA Funds to Fitchburg for Ice Storm Clean-up Costs (04/30/09)
Fitchburg Mayor Lisa Wong, along with Rep. Stephen DiNatale (D-Fitchburg), announced during her weekly press conference this week that the city will be receiving $1.1 million from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to recover expenses that were lost as a result of the Ice Storm of 2008.
DiNatale Co-Sponsors Quinn Bill Reinstatement (04/22/09)
BOSTON -- Four local lawmakers are backing a push to restore funding in the state budget for the Quinn Bill, a fiercely protected union benefit that provides police officers with a salary boost for furthering their education.
House Committee on Utilities to Take Up Legislation Aimed at Utility Company Negligance (03/31/09)
FITCHBURG — A slew of proposed legislation inspired by the prolonged power outages that affected thousands of area residents in the days and weeks after the December ice storm will be heard in the Statehouse tomorrow afternoon.
DiNatale Hosts Business Leader Event on Ice Storm Response (03/26/09)
FITCHBURG -- Alvan Tall --founder of Alpha Rho Inc., a Stevens Road plastic box manufacturer -- said December's ice storm was a "horror story" for his business. Power outages forced his plant to close for 14 days.
DiNatale: Illegal Immigration a "Deeper Problem lying with the Federal Government" (03/20/09)
FITCHBURG -- City Councilor at-large Dean Tran is angry with Police Chief Robert DeMoura's proposal to give driver's licenses to illegal immigrants.
DiNatale: Unitil CEO Bonus "Insult" to Ratepayers (03/15/09)
Critics of Unitil, the embattled utility that has come under intense criticism after the December ice storm, blasted the company for awarding a nearly $300,000 incentive bonus to Robert G. Schoenberger, its $1 million-a-year president and CEO, for outperforming his 2008 job goals.
DiNatale: Unitil CEO Performance Bonus an "Assault and Insult" to Fitchburg Customers (03/13/09)
The chief executive of Unitil Corp., the utility widely criticized for its response to a December ice storm that left thousands of Greater Fitchburg area customers without electricity for up to two weeks, recently was awarded nearly $300,000 for outperforming his 2008 job goals, financial documents filed yesterday show.
DiNatale Voices Opposition to Gas Tax Hike Proposal (03/01/09)
Small businesses already pay "exorbitant costs" to operate in Massachusetts, and a proposed 19-cent-per-gallon gas tax increase could hurt them even more in a bad economy, said Rebecca Laramee, owner of All Points Limousine in Leominster.
DiNatale Likens Unitil's Report to DPU as "Fairy Tale" (02/25/09)
FITCHBURG — Unitil was too quick to blame residents and public officials for some of its communication problems during and after the Dec. 11-12 ice storm, and too slow to deploy extra crews, critics of the utility company said yesterday.
DiNatale Files Series of Utility-related Legislation to Tighten Regulatory Measures (02/16/09)
FITCHBURG -- State Rep. Stephen DiNatale, D-Fitchburg, has filed a handful of utility-related pieces of legislation aimed at tightening regulatory measures on companies such as Unitil.
DiNatale Skeptical of Unitil's Report to DPU (02/03/09)
FITCHBURG -- An Unitil official says there are no public safety threats, downed lines or poles that remain from last month's ice storm in their service area.
DiNatale Continues to Assist Petitioners in Meeting Gov. Patrick on Unitil (01/29/09)
LUNENBURG -- Residents hoping to deliver a petition against utility provider Unitil to Gov. Deval Patrick this week will have to wait a little longer due to scheduling conflicts, according to State Rep. Stephen DiNatale, D-Fitchburg.
DiNatale to DPU: Set Our People Free (01/28/09)
FITCHBURG — Enraged Unitil customers and frustrated local officials last night asked the state Department of Public Utilities to pull the plug on the electric company.
DiNatale Pens Editorial on Unitil (01/27/09)
As the State Department of Public Utilities (DPU) hearing on Unitil's failure to respond to the December ice storm nears, it's important to stay focused on the purpose of the process: making it clear to Unitil that its days in Massachusetts are numbered.
DiNatale Assists in Getting Anti-Unitil Petition to Governor Patrick (01/20/09)
LUNENBURG -- A charter bus full of local residents is expected to head to Beacon Hill next week to hand deliver a petition against utility provider Unitil to Gov. Deval Patrick.
DiNatale Joins Community in Celebrating Dr. King's Legacy (01/18/09)
FITCHBURG -- Hundreds of people attended the North Central Charter Essential School Day of Hope celebration in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on Saturday.
DiNatale: Fitchburg Can Not Afford Any More Cuts (01/17/09)
FITCHBURG -- Local officials said they would have liked to have heard more details about local aid cuts from Gov. Deval Patrick during his State of the State address Thursday night.
Legislature Grants Patrick Authority to Cut Local Aid; DiNatale Votes Against (01/15/09)
BOSTON -- On the eve of his State of the State address, state lawmakers voted last night to give Gov. Deval Patrick the authority to cut local aid and other areas of the budget to close a new $1.1 billion gap.
DiNatale "Whole-heartedly" Supports Lawsuit Against Unitil (01/14/09)
The class-action lawsuit filed against Unitil by Fitchburg attorney Edwin H. Howard garnered praise, but invited its share of criticism, as well.
DiNatale Joins Residents in Signing Petition Against Unitil (01/12/09)
FITCHBURG — The cars kept pulling into the Amico Carpets Area Rugs & Linoleum parking lot yesterday afternoon on Whalon Street for the two hours that City Councilor Jody M. Joseph collected signatures on a petition calling on city officials to remove Unitil as electricity provider.
DiNatale: Unitil Takeover Will Cost Millions (01/11/09)
Getting rid of Unitil following the December power outages will be easier said than done, State Rep. Stephen DiNatale, D-Fitchburg, said this week.
DiNatale: DPU Must Ensure Ratepayers aren't Charged More for Storm Clean-up (01/09/09)
FITCHBURG -- Unitil Corporation expects the cost of the cleanup from last month's ice storm to be about $10 million, according to a report the company filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission this week.
DiNatale: The degree of vitriol (against Unitil) is that strong. (01/08/09)
FITCHBURG — The state Department of Public Utilities has launched its investigation into the electric utilities’ response and preparation for the Dec. 11-12 ice storm and will hold the first in a series of public hearings at Memorial Middle School later this month.
DiNatale: Unitil's Reputation Tarnished Beyond Recovery (01/06/09)
Scores of the hundreds of people who have signed an online petition to oust Unitil have left comments depicting the pain and frustration of being left without power for days in the midst of a New England winter:
DiNatale Demands DPU Hold Unitil's "Feet to the Fire" (01/06/09)
Unitil Corporation's top executive has a compensation package worth more than $1 million, while the power distribution company's other top executives get paid hundreds of thousands of dollars per year, according to U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission filings.
DiNatale Slams Unitil's Apology Letter to Customers (01/02/09)
FITCHBURG -- Unitil has issued a letter asking residents for forgiveness for its response to widespread power outages in the wake of the Dec. 11 ice storm, but it may be "too little, too late," according to state Rep. Stephen DiNatale.
DiNatale Says Unitil Billing Issues will be Focus of State Investigation (12/31/08)
FITCHBURG -- State Rep. Stephen DiNatale, D-Fitchburg, said his office has received about a dozen calls from residents who say they have extraordinarily high utility bills this month.
DiNatale Vows to Pursue Full Reimbursement for Storm Clean-up (12/31/08)
FITCHBURG -- Department of Public Works Commissioner Lenny Laakso said the city's cost for cleaning up debris from the Dec. 11 ice storm could be about $1 million.
DiNatale Blasts Unitil's "Outrageous" Billing System (12/30/08)
FITCHBURG -- Tim Bean said he lost power for 11 days following the Dec. 11 ice storm, and received a Unitil bill this month that's about $100 more than his regular charge.
DiNatale's New Year's Resolution: Rid Fitchburg from the Oppressive Yoke of Unitil (12/28/08)
Between an unpredictable economy, the recent power crisis and the hectic holiday shopping season, local leaders have had no shortage of work to do as the year draws to a close.
DiNatale Shares Frustration with Residents about Unitil (12/27/08)
FITCHBURG -- Unitil officials said there are only a handful of individual service issues yet to be resolved and that the power company is back to business as usual.
DiNatale Vows Unitil Investigation will "Leave No Stone Unturned" (12/24/08)
FITCHBURG -- A Unitil executive said the company hoped to get all power restored to the region by Tuesday night, except for some "patches" even as about 3,000 customers in West Fitchburg lost power because of a downed line Tuesday night.
DiNatale: A Change from Unitil Needed (12/23/08)
FITCHBURG -- Some state officials are calling on Unitil to be replaced as the region's power distribution company as another 6,600 customers in West Fitchburg lost power Sunday and again Monday when a main transmission line went down.
DiNatale Calls Out Unitil's CEO, "sick" of Company's Delays (12/22/08)
FITCHBURG -- National Grid is now conducting power restoration operations in place of Unitil throughout the region following Gov. Deval Patrick's call for investigations into Unitil's response to last week's ice storm.
DiNatale Seeks Hearing on Unitil Response to Storm
FITCHBURG— With frustrations mounting from residents left in the dark a week after the devastating ice storm, Mayor Lisa A. Wong yesterday said more utility crews are needed to bring back power.
DiNatale Joins FSC in Wallace Civic Center Re-dedication (12/11/08)
FITCHBURG -- Fitchburg State College rededicated the Wallace Civic Center on Wednesday night.
DiNatale Hosts Delegation of Officials from "Gateway" Cities (12/11/08)
FITCHBURG— Legislators from the so-called gateway cities gathered here yesterday in hopes their combined voices will be heard on Beacon Hill.
DiNatale Enjoys Chowder Fest at Senior Center (12/08/08)
FITCHBURG -- Seafood chowder made with lobster, shrimp, haddock and scallops won the day at the city's first ever Chowdah Fest, held at the Fitchburg Senior Center.
DiNatale Praises Availability of Business Loans from State to Fitchburg (12/04/08)
FITCHBURG -- David Sontag, controller for Pelletier's Building Supply Company on Water Street in Fitchburg, said the nation's economic troubles have made credit markets tough for small businesses.
DiNatale Expresses Disappointment in MA Corruption Allegations (12/1/08)
FITCHBURG -- City and state officials said they rely heavily on politicians to police themselves to prevent unethical behavior.
DiNatale: Veteran's Day 'keeps the fire of patriotism burning' (11/12/08)
Retired U.S. Marine Corps 1st Sgt. Paul Jornet recalled a Veterans Day parade he attended as a child that first inspired him to join the military.
DiNatale Announces $70k Increase in State Community Policing Funds (11/11/08)
FITCHBURG -- Fitchburg, Leominster and Gardner have received an increased allotment for the upcoming year's Shannon Grant, a state program aimed at protecting community safety, according to state Rep. Stephen DiNatale, D-Fitchburg.
DiNatale: Grants Sought for Dam Repairs (11/08/08)
FITCHBURG -- The state is threatening to charge the city a $500 per day penalty if officials do not make plans to fix a leak in a dam at Coggshall Park, according to a letter sent from the state in October.
DiNatale Attends Civic Days Breakfast (11/2/08)
FITCHBURG -- Officials in Fitchburg organize the biggest and best civic day events in a 30-mile radius, according to State Rep. Stephen L. DiNatale.
DiNatale Receives Thanks for Efforts with Fitchburg Seniors (10/24/08)
DiNatale Delivers State Citation at Westwinds Clubhouse Celebration (10/24/08)
For Darlene Johnson, her job at Marshalls department store is more than just a paycheck at the end of the week.
Governor Patrick Visits Fitchburg (10/17/08)
FITCHBURG -- Gov. Deval Patrick met with city officials and community leaders Thursday afternoon to discuss how an estimated $1.4 billion revenue shortfall and hundreds of millions in cuts will affect cities and towns like Fitchburg.
DiNatale and Wong Speak Out on Possible Local Aid Cuts (10/14/08)
FITCHBURG -- Mayor Lisa Wong said she would support expanding gambling in the state to help offset projected shortfalls in the state's lottery revenue.
DiNatale: Huge Deficits in Public Safety at State Level (09/26/08)
Rep. Robert DeLeo (D-Revere), the chairman of the powerful House Ways and Means Committee, met with city leaders yesterday to discuss potential opportunities for Fitchburg and other "Gateway Cities."
DiNatale Hosts House Ways & Means Chairmen DeLeo Visit to Fitchburg (09/26/2008)
FITCHBURG— Local officials told the chairman of the state’s House Ways and Means Committee that the city has been left behind in terms of state aid, especially where public safety is concerned.
DiNatale Joins AG Coakley at Energy Summit in Fitchburg (09/25/08)
FITCHBURG -- State Attorney General Martha Coakley kicked off a statewide roundtable discussion series in Fitchburg on Wednesday to discuss how to prepare for high energy prices in the looming winter season.
DiNatale Hosts Summit on Home Heating Assistance for Seniors (09/19/08)
FITCHBURG -- Representatives from more than a dozen community organizations met at the Fitchburg Senior Center on Thursday to talk to seniors about how they can afford to stay warm this winter.
DiNatale: It's Ribbon-cutting Mania in Downtown Fitchburg (09/05/08)
FITCHBURG -- Two businesses had their grand openings while another celebrated its anniversary in downtown Fitchburg as part of Mayor Lisa Wong's First Thursday event.
DiNatale Attends FSC Police Groundbreaking (08/20/08)
Fitchburg State College President Robert Antonucci said the summer has been spent rejuvenating the college’s campus, both inside and outside the classroom.
DiNatale Attends "Rock the Peace" Event (08/17/08)
FITCHBURG— Just six weeks ago shots rang out on Congress Street, leaving a Boston man dead and a neighborhood shaken. Yesterday, a few hundred feet from the crime scene, voices seeking peace left their own echoes.
DiNatale, Other Legislatures Thanked by FSC for Science Center Funding (08/07/08)
FITCHBURG -- Fitchburg State College President Robert Antonucci thanked the team of local legislators who worked hard to secure $57 million to build a new science center on the college's campus.
DiNatale Secures Funds for Fitchburg over Patrick's Veto (08/01/08)
BOSTON -- With the clock ticking down on the 2007-08 formal legislative session, lawmakers worked feverishly Thursday to pour hundreds of thousands of dollars back into their communities by overriding many of Gov. Deval Patrick's budget vetoes.
DiNatale: Foreclosure Bills in Legislature will Provide Needed Relief (07/30/08)
FITCHBURG— A foreclosure does not just affect one person, it affects an entire community.
DiNatale Seeks Parks & Recreation Funding in Bond Bill (07/26/08)
FITCHBURG -- State Rep. Stephen DiNatale, D-Fitchburg, is trying to secure money for Fitchburg's parks and recreation areas as part of a new $1.6 billion environmental bond bill.
DiNatale Continues Fight for $150k for Crocker Field (07/25/08)
State funding for the restoration of Crocker Field that was vetoed by Gov. Deval Patrick has been refiled as an amendment to a $1.6 billion environmental bond bill, Rep. Stephen DiNatale (D-Fitchburg) announced yesterday.
DiNatale Joins House, Votes to Allow Sales Tax Holiday (07/23/08)
BOSTON (AP) -- The Massachusetts Legislature voted overwhelmingly Tuesday in favor of a plan to give consumers a two-day break from the state sales tax next month. Gov. Deval Patrick has already pledged to sign the bill into law.
DiNatale: Sales Tax Holiday "Good for Business" (07/22/08)
BOSTON -- Dust off the credit cards and the wish list.
Despite Gov. Patrick's Veto, DiNatale Not Giving Up on Crocker Field Funds (07/15/08)
The $150,000 dedicated to Crocker Field restoration in the state budget was vetoed by Gov. Deval Patrick over the weekend, and Rep. Stephen DiNatale is unsure of the prospects for an override.
DiNatale Joins Community at Fitchburg's Annual Downtown Parade (07/05/08)
Thousands of people from all across the region crowded the streets of Fitchburg to watch the annual Civic Days' Fourth of July parade.
House/Senate Budget Passes with $150k for Crocker Field (07/03/08)
The final state budget, agreed to today by House and Senate budget writers, includes $150,000 for the restoration of Crocker Field, Rep. Stephen DiNatale (D-Fitchburg) announced.
DiNatale: Annual Duck Race Shows Off River's Potential (06/28/08)
FITCHBURG -- The second annual Amazing Duck Race grand prize winner Christopher T. Cragin Warner knew exactly what he was going to do with his $1,000 reward.
DiNatale: Regionalization of City Services a Necessity (06/22/08)
FITCHBURG -- Fitchburg Police Chief Robert DeMoura said regionalization is a matter of public safety.
DiNatale/Antonioni Push for $150k for Crocker Field Restoration (06/20/08)
Rep. Stephen DiNatale (D-Fitchburg) and Sen. Robert Antonioni (D-Leominster) are hoping to bring money from the State House to Crocker Field.
DPW Commish: DiNatale Secured $150k for Road Repairs (06/19/08)
DiNatale & Son Share Meaning of Father's Day (06/15/08)
Tina Hitchcock of Fitchburg said she doesn't need a holiday to appreciate and be thankful for her father, Peter Miner.
Fitchburg Gets $67M for Rail Line, $150k for Scott Rd. Repairs (06/13/08)
FITCHBURG -- The state House of Representatives unanimously approved a $1.5 billion transportation bond bill that includes $67 million for the Fitchburg rail line improvement project and $150,000 for the Scott Road bridge repairs in north Fitchburg.
Fitchburg Gets $1.3M grant for Economic Development (06/12/08)
FITCHBURG— The city’s effort to promote economic development near Fitchburg Municipal Airport was given a $1.3 million boost yesterday by Lt. Gov. Timothy P. Murray.
DiNatale Attends National Rivers Month Ceremony Kicked Off at the Nashua River (06/06/08)
FITCHBURG— June is National Rivers Month, and yesterday state and local officials and environmental advocates gathered at Fitchburg’s Riverfront Park on the banks of the North Nashua River to kick it off.
DiNatale's Bill Targets Scrap Metal Thefts (05/30/08)
FITCHBURG -- State Rep. Stephen DiNatale, D-Fitchburg, said he's hoping a bill to regulate scrap metal dealers will cut down on copper and other valuable metal theft.
DiNatale Speaks at Annual Memorial Day Ceremony (05/27/08)
Mary Altieri remembers a joyous celebration in the streets of Fitchburg when World War II ended.
DiNatale Pays Tribute to Fitchburg Police at Memorial Dedication (05/19/08)
FITCHBURG— Lawrence Bell recalls driving around the city and seeing various memorials and landmarks to notable events and people from his city.
DiNatale Wishes Senator Kennedy a Speedy Recovery (05/15/08)
FITCHBURG -- Local Democrats said U.S. Sen. Edward Kennedy has been a champion for the state and North Central Massachusetts and wished him a safe and speedy recovery from a hospitalization Saturday after he suffered a reported seizure.
House Rejects DiNatale's Push for Additional Community Policing Money (05/02/08)
FITCHBURG -- State Rep. Stephen DiNatale's efforts to provide Fitchburg with additional funding for community policing and to establish a new formula for dolling out state money for the initiative came up fruitless Thursday during the House's budget deliberation process.
DiNatale Aims for Additional Earmarks for Community Policing in Fitchburg (05/01/08)
FITCHBURG -- Mayor Lisa Wong on Wednesday called on the city to embrace environmentally friendly "green" initiatives in the future as a cost-saving measure and a tool for encouraging economic development.
DiNatale Files Budget Amendment to Restore $500,000 for Meals on Wheels Program (04/26/08)
The Meals on Wheels program provides more than just hot meals to those in need. It also provides a way to check in daily on the program recipients, who are either elderly or disabled and living on their own.
Gov. Patrick: We Want to be Your Partner (04/25/08)
Gov. Deval Patrick told residents and city officials if they have driven down Route 12 or North Street, they have seen some of the benefits from initiatives taken by his administration.
Gov. Patrick: Cities and Towns are on the Front Lines (04/24/08)
Gov. Deval Patrick spent Wednesday afternoon in Fitchburg meeting with area officials, business leaders and local Democrats and outlined his plans to spur economic development throughout the state and in North Central Massachusetts.
Gov. Patrick: Our Economy Here in MA is Holding its Own (04/24/08)
FITCHBURG— Gov. Deval L. Patrick visited the city yesterday and outlined a plan to help the state weather the national economic slowdown — a plan he said includes efforts to replicate the success at Devens across Massachusetts.
DiNatale Welcomes Gov. Patrick's Fitchburg Visit (04/23/08)
FITCHBURG -- Gov. Deval Patrick will be in Fitchburg this afternoon for a meeting with local business and city officials to discuss economic development.
DiNatale Joins Area Residents for the Civic Clean-up Corps (04/20/08)
FITCHBURG -- Residents in red shirts were dispersed throughout Blossom Street, Rindge Road and the side-streets of the city's Ward 5 Saturday morning.
DiNatale: Bullock Building Transfer a "perfect example of community partnerships." (04/18/08)
The Bullock Building at Health Alliance Hospital's Burbank Campus is in line for a major renovation after the hospital gave the building to its current biggest tenant, Community Health Connections.
DiNatale Joins FSC Officials in Calls for More College Assistance (04/01/08)
FITCHBURG -- Massachusetts college students are in the midst of an affordability crisis, according to Lisa Field.
S&E Editorial: Actions by DiNatale, other State Officials Helped Hold Unitil in Check (04/01/08)
The recent announcement by the state Department of Public Utilities that they cut Unitil's rate increase request after a six-month investigation is good news for local ratepayers and businesses who are doing business in Fitchburg or any of the other towns where Unitil provides service.
DiNatale Undecided on Upcoming Casino Slots Bill (03/29/08)
BOSTON -- A bill legalizing slot machines at state race tracks may have better odds of passing on Beacon Hill since Gov. Deval Patrick's casino plan was shot down last week.
DiNatale Joins Officials in Ground-breaking Partnership with Fitchburg's DRS Technologies (03/29/08)
FITCHBURG -- Gas-powered turbines that generate enough power to propel a state-of-the-art U.S. Navy Destroyer will be packaged and tested in Fitchburg's Putnam Place thanks to a $1.56 million state grant and a partnership between DRS Technologies and the city.
Fitchburg Pride Editorial: DiNatale Made Right Vote on Casino Bill (03/28/08)
On a regular basis, legislators are considered sheep following the lead of the House speaker, doing as they are told and staying quiet about it.
DiNatale Joins City Officials in Welcoming New Financial Center (03/27/08)
FITCHBURG -- City officials joined with members of Rollstone Bank & Trust to mark the grand opening of the bank's new commercial banking and financial services center located adjacent to its Main Street headquarters Wednesday morning.
DiNatale Votes Favorably for Gov. Patrick's Casino Bill (03/21/08)
BOSTON -- House lawmakers dealt a final blow to Gov. Deval Patrick's casino gambling bill Thursday, striking down the plan to license three resort-style casinos in Massachusetts over complaints from some that the process was less than fair.
DiNatale: How Will Casino's Benefit Fitchburg? (03/07/08)
BOSTON -- Resort casinos won't bring in as many construction jobs as Gov. Deval Patrick proposed, but the plan would net as much as $429 million for the state, according to a report released Thursday.
DiNatale to Announce $106k Grant Awarded to Fitchburg Historical Society at First Thursday Tomorrow (03/05/08)
FITCHBURG -- State and local politicians will be in Fitchburg on Thursday afternoon to announce a $106,000 grant for the city to open a new downtown business and to kickoff Mayor Lisa Wong's First Thursday downtown block party.
Unitil's Proposed 7.7% rate increase reduced by 62% to 2.8% by State DPU (03/02/08)
BOSTON— The state Department of Public Utilities has cut almost $1 million of the $3 million rate hike sought by Fitchburg Gas & Electric Light Co. The rate hike will mean an estimated increase of $2.85 a month for typical households and 99 cents for low-income customers.
Unitil's Proposed Rate Increase Reduced 62%; DiNatale vows future battles over increases (03/01/08)
FITCHBURG -- The state Department of Public Utilities on Friday cut Unitil's rate increase request after a six-month investigation, according to a press release.
DiNatale Supports House Measure to Exempt Elderly from Prop. 2 1/2 Overrides (02/29/08)
BOSTON -- Low- to moderate-income seniors could get a break from Proposition 21 2 overrides thanks to a bill passed by state lawmakers in the House of Representatives Thursday.
DiNatale & Antonioni Help Secure Grant Funding for Fitchburg Historical Society (02/16/08)
FITCHBURG -- The Fitchburg Historical Society has received a $106,800 grant from a state supplemental budget to help move into the Phoenix Building in downtown Fitchburg.
Fitchburg State College to Receive $57M in Governor's Bond Bill (02/14/08)
BOSTON -- Fitchburg State College will receive an additional $10 million for a new academic science building on campus and renovations to existing facilities in a redrafted version of Gov. Deval Patrick's higher-education bond.
DiNatale: I am Running for Re-Election (02/12/08)
FITCHBURG -- State Rep. Stephen DiNatale, D-Fitchburg, pulled his name out of the running on Monday to replace state Sen. Robert Antonioni.
DiNatale to FSC Graduates: You are the Commonwealth's Future (01/28/08)
FITCHBURG -- Approximately four years ago, Michelle Felix and Karl Murwin graduated high school together. Friday night they waited nervously in long black robes to receive their diplomas from Fitchburg State College.
DiNatale: Unitil's Reasons for a Proposed Rate Increase "Unconvincing" (01/25/08)
FITCHBURG -- Unitil, the region's power distribution company, defended a $3.3 million rate increase request it filed with the state as the company continues to trades jabs with the state attorney general's office on the merits of the increase.
Patrick's FY09 Budget Proposal includes $1.1M increase in Chapter 70 for Fitchburg Public Schools (01/24/08)
DiNatale "Excited" About Micron's Possible Growth Opportunities (01/23/08)
FITCHBURG -- Micron Products Inc. announced Tuesday they have been awarded a multi-million dollar contract to supply parts to the U.S. Navy, which area officials believe could bring new jobs to the region.
Ma AG: Unitil Rate Increase Too High; DiNatale Says "Rates Already Exorbitant" (01/17/08)
FITCHBURG -- The state attorney general's office announced Wednesday it will be asking a state agency to reduce Unitil's request for a distribution rate increase it proposed last year.
DiNatale Participates in Latino Three Kings Day Celebration (01/11/08)
The Christmas season was far from over to those who attended the Three King's Day celebration that was held at the North Central Charter Essential School in Fitchburg on Friday, as the Latino community came together for a joyous celebration.
DiNatale: Anything Mayor Wong Needs I Will Be There to Help (01/07/08)
FITCHBURG -- Lisa Wong unveiled her Fiscally Fit agenda, aimed at revitalizing Fitchburg's economy, during her inaugural address Sunday.
DiNatale Attends Patrick's Testimony at State House on Casinos (12/19/07)
Governor Deval Patrick launched a dramatic campaign yesterday for his plan to introduce three resort casinos in Massachusetts, telling a packed State House auditorium that gambling has long been part of the state's history and would not change the character of the Commonwealth.
Bond Bill Allocates to Fitchburg $75M for Commuter Rail Improvements (11/30/07)
BOSTON -- Commuters in North Central Massachusetts may dread the morning rush a little less thanks to a transportation bond bill funneling $75 million to the Fitchburg commuter rail filed Wednesday.
Fitchburg's Crocker Elementary Closer to State Renovation Money (11/30/07)
Fitchburg's Crocker Elementary School and Leominster High School have qualified to receive money from the state for construction projects, the Massachusetts School Building Authority announced Wednesday.
Wetlands Ordinance Passes Legislative Affairs Committee Unanimously (11/20/07)
FITCHBURG -- The city took the first vote toward approving a wetlands ordinance on Monday night, passing it with unanimous support through the Legislative Affairs Committee.
DiNatale: Wetlands Act Devised to Protect Fitchburg Residents (11/19/07)
FITCHBURG -- Proponents of a proposed Wetlands Protection Ordinance say the legislation is reasonable and necessary, while opponents say it sends the wrong message to developers.
DiNatale Joins City Officials in Thanking Veterans (11/13/07)
FITCHBURG -- The message to veterans from Fitchburg is a clear "thank you," as city officials and veterans met at the Senior Center on Elm Street, Monday.
DiNatale Secures $30k for Fitchburg Police Crime Analysis Project (11/11/07)
FITCHBURG -- Police are getting a new tool for the fight against crime with a $30,000 grant to pay for the Fitchburg Regional Internet Crime Analysis Project.
DiNatale Welcomes Mayor-Elect Lisa Wong (11/11/07)
FITCHBURG -- Lisa Wong believes the call she received from Gov. Deval Patrick shortly after she won Tuesday's mayoral race proves she will be able to work with state and local officials in an effort to improve the city.
DiNatale Pushes for More Capital Investment Money for FSC (11/2/07)
BOSTON -- State and community college leaders told lawmakers Thursday that their campuses are in critical need of the millions of dollars in state funding provided by Gov. Deval Patrick's higher education bond bill.
Wallace Civic Center and Coolidege Park begin Restoration (10/27/07)
FITCHBURG -- Wallace Civic Center is undergoing a $2.5 million rehabilitation project in an effort to host more events at the venue, according to Luke Conry, the manager of the center.
DiNatale: Legislation Provides Safeguards and Protection Regulations for Fitchburg Homeowners (10/20/07)
FITCHBURG -- The state House of Representatives passed legislation installing safeguards against mortgage fraud and home foreclosures this week.
DiNatale: Unitil Customers Have Suffered Long Enough (10/11/07)
North Central Massachusetts' state lawmakers have appealed to Gov. Deval Patrick's office for a full review of Unitil's operations as the energy supplier seeks to raise its base electricity distribution rate.
Fitchburg State College Would Receive over $46 million in Capital Investment Dollars under Patrick's Bond Bill (10/10/07)
BOSTON -- Public colleges and universities in North Central Massachusetts netted $90 million in a higher education bond bill expected to be filed by Gov. Deval Patrick Wednesday.
DiNatale Announces $35k in grants awarded from MA Cultural Council to Fitchburg (10/5/2007)
Rep. Stephen DiNatale (D-Fitchburg) announced last week that grants totaling nearly $35,000 have been awarded to cultural organizations and schools in the city by the Massachusetts Cultural Council.
DiNatale Tours Crocker Elementary with SBA Engineers and School Administrators (10/5/2007)
FITCHBURG -- A group of engineers hired by the state to inspect the condition of schools throughout the Commonwealth visited Crocker Elementary School on Thursday.
State Awards Fitchburg Police Dept. $160k Grant (10/4/2007)
BOSTON -- The Fitchburg Police Department will be able to add several new police officers with a grant from the state aimed at helping local communities put more cops on the street.
DiNatale: Unitil Trying to Meet its Goals on the Backs of the People of Fitchburg (10/3/2007)
FITCHBURG -- Unitil, the city's dominant energy supplier, came under withering criticism from politicians and residents alike Tuesday evening at a public hearing for its proposed electricity distribution rate increase.
DiNatale Passionately Demands Unitil Not Increase Rates at Public Hearing (10/3/2007)
FITCHBURG - Concerned residents, city and state officials asked members of the Department of Public Utilities to disapprove a rate increase being requested by Unitil.
DiNatale: Infection Testing Bill will Help Protect Those who Protect Us (9/27/2007)
BOSTON -- Lunenburg resident Darrell Demers had no idea what the gash to his hand would mean as he worked on a bloody car accident victim in Fitchburg nearly two years ago.
DiNatale Gets $30,000 Fitchburg Regional Crime Project Passed (9/21/07)
State Representative Stephen DiNatale, D-Fitchburg, has successfully pushed through funding for crime prevention for the Fitchburg Police Department...
DiNatale: Fitchburg Must Enforce Wetlands Protection (9/20/07)
FITCHBURG -- City councilors debated Wednesday night the effect a wetlands protection act would have on developers if adopted by the city.
DiNatale's Informational Meeting Focused on Lowering Energy Costs (9/14/07)
FITCHBURG -- City officials took a preliminary look Thursday evening at combining the market share of residents and small businesses so they could together seek out a new, cheaper electricity supplier.
DiNatale: Time to Get a Handle on Energy Costs (9/13/2007)
FITCHBURG -- With energy prices frustrating city residents and businesses, state Rep. Stephen L. DiNatale will host a meeting tonight to see if they can join with counterparts in neighboring towns to buy electricity from a new supplier.
DiNatale sets up regional meeting to tackle high electric & gas costs (9/11/07)
FITCHBURG— Electric bills in the city have become a lightning rod for complaints as consumers grumble about how much they pay for power.
DiNatale Joins Fitchburg Community in Honoring Fallen Hero (9/10/07)
FITCHBURG -- Hundreds of people stood in the cold rain at Daniels Street Park to honor the memory of James V. Belliveau, the firefighter who died in the line of duty 40 years ago.
DiNatale Joins Congressman Olver in Celebrating New U.S. Citizens (9/7/2007)
Pao Vue fled Laos 32 years ago to escape the Vietnam War and a communist regime.
S & E Editorial Board Backs DiNatale on Developer Accountability (9/7/2007)
The Fitchburg City Council is considering a new law that would give city officials greater power overseeing developers who violate wetlands and water resource regulations.
DiNatale: Communities Owe Those Killed in Line of Duty (9/7/2007)
BOSTON -- Fitchburg Fire Chief Kevin Roy remembers when the city provided $5,000 for firefighter John Cetrino's funeral.
DiNatale: Hold Developers Accountable (9/5/07)
FITCHBURG -- The city appears poised to adopt a new law that would give it greater power overseeing developers who violate wetlands and water resource regulations.
DiNatale: Bridge concerns should be addressed, but not with higher tax (8/30/07)
BOSTON -- They are the two dreaded "t" words for Massachusetts motorists -- taxes and tolls.
State Awards $175k to Local Police Departments (8/25/07)
BOSTON -- State officials awarded $175,000 to the police departments in Fitchburg, Leominster and Gardner Wednesday, as part of an effort to curb gang violence.
DiNatale: Unitil Rate Hike Proposal Unacceptable (8/24/07)
City leaders reacted angrily to a proposed rate increase from Unitil this week, including Fitchburg's two State House representatives,
DiNatale Attends CORI Reform Forum at Three Pyramids (8/23/07)
FITCHBURG— It’s an undeniable fact: Most people currently jailed in the United States eventually will be released.
Fitchburg Commuter Rail Line Improvements Becoming Reality (8/22/07)
FITCHBURG— Politicians have discussed improving the 49.5 miles of commuter rail line from Fitchburg to Porter Square in Cambridge for at least a decade.
DiNatale Participates in 'Rock the Peace' March (8/19/07)
FITCHBURG -- A diverse crowd of residents marched down Main Street Saturday to celebrate peace and unity in the community.
DiNatale's Persistence Leads to Wallace Civic Center Bill Passage (8/10/07)
BOSTON -- Ice skaters should be gliding on the rink at the Wallace Civic center by November after Gov. Deval Patrick signed a bill allowing local officials to rehabilitate the center.
DiNatale: North Central Massachusetts Casino a Great Idea (8/7/07)
BOSTON -- As the statewide appetite for casinos grows, state Rep. Stephen DiNatale, D-Fitchburg, said he would consider bringing legalized gambling to North Central Massachusetts.
DiNatale Comments on Gov. Patrick's Capital Appropriation Plan (8/7/07)
BOSTON -- Gov. Deval Patrick won't rely on new taxes or casino revenues to pay for a new $12 billion five-year capital bond plan he unveiled yesterday.
DiNatale vows to get Civic Center bill signed immediately (8/1/07)
BOSTON -- A project to rehabilitate the Wallace Civic Center inched forward Tuesday to Gov. Deval Patrick's desk, leaving the fate of the project in his hands.
DiNatale honors 72 year anniversary of Fitchburg couple (7/27/07)
In May of 1935, Francis and Eva Leger pronounced their love for each other in front of their friends and family. They promised to love and obey till death do they part. Seventy-two years later, the couple is still honoring these vows and proving to people today that happy marriages still do exist. (continued)
DiNatale frustrated with MA crime-lab backlog (7/17/07)
BOSTON -- Crime-fighting officials in North Central Massachusetts want to know how many local cases are affected by the failure to process 16,000 cases worth of evidence at the state-police crime lab. (continued)
DiNatale: American Flag is a "holy" symbol 7/5/2007)
FITCHBURG -- Veterans said Tuesday they are upset to see that thieves continue to steal a number of U.S. flags from around the Cleghorn area, one week before the Fourth of July. (continued)
State grant earns Fitchburg $1.5M (7/5/07)
The state Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development announced last week a $1.5 million grant for the city that will provide infrastructure and economic development at Putnam Place. (continued)
DiNatale: Veterans agent must be restored to full-time 6/19/07
FITCHBURG -- State Rep. Stephen DiNatale, D-Fitchburg, is lobbying Mayor Dan H. Mylott to restore the Veteran Services agent to a full-time position in his proposed budget. (continued)
DiNatale speaks at Fitchburg High Renaissance Ceremony
Three hundred Fitchburg High School students were honored yesterday for their academic achievement, attendance, and school citizenship. (continued)
DiNatale sponsors charter reform information meeting
A state expert on charter reform will meet city officials and interested residents next month to discuss a possible review of Fitchburg's City Charter at a meeting sponsored by Rep. Stephen DiNatale. (continued)
Fitchburg gains in education aid
BOSTON -- Fitchburg stands to receive almost $300,000 more than initally projected in Gov. Deval Patrick's budget under an early resolution boosting state education funding by $220.1 million next year. (continued)
DiNatale seeks earmarks for Our Fathers House, Fitchburg Police 4/23/07
BOSTON -- One budget amendment filed by state Reps. Stephen DiNatale and Jennifer Flanagan would set aside $377,500 for Our Fathers House homeless shelter in Fitchburg. (continued)
Fitchburg line to get extra train 4/21/07
FITCHBURG -- The MBTA announced Friday that it will be extending rush-hour service to the city from Boston in an effort to provide a less cramped commute. (continued)
DiNatale joins community in commemorating Patriots Day 4/15/07
FITCHBURG -- A group of men marched from Fitchburg to Concord 232 years ago to join the first battle of the Revolutionary War, according to a monument at the corner of Boulder Avenue and Cushing Street.
DiNatale elected freshman class president of MA House
BOSTON -- Freshman Rep. Stephen DiNatale, D-Fitchburg, was elected president of his legislative class Tuesday. (continued)
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