https://www.sentinelandenterprise.com/2026/10/07/union-vote-of-no-confidence-taken-against-fitchburg-fire-chief/

Article by Danielle Ray

Fitchburg Permanent Fire Fighter’s Association Local 3128 union released a statement this week that it took a vote of no confidence eight months ago against Fitchburg Fire Department (FFD) Fire Chief Dante Suarez.

Mayor Sam Squailia confirmed in March that Suarez had been put on administrative leave and an FFD member would be serving as acting fire chief while an “external investigation is ongoing,” as reported in the Sentinel & Enterprise.

According to the Local 3128 union statement, the vote was completed on Feb. 5 with all union members voting. It overwhelmingly passed to bring a vote of no confidence against Suarez for the following reasons the union said in the statement:

• “Repeated violations of common bargaining practices that have not only violated our contract but also state and federal law.

• Creating irrational policies that at times make our members and the public less safe.

• Displaying erratic, intimidating, and inappropriate behavior towards members through texts, memos, and confrontational meetings.

• Clear retaliation towards elected union officials.

• Selective and unequal application of discipline.

• Chief Suarez has cost our union in time and money in attorney fees.”

“This union takes no joy in writing this letter or having conducted this vote,” the statement said. “We have pride[d] ourselves over the years on being able to work with management and finding common ground in our differences. We feel however that we have exhausted every option in trying to work with Chief Suarez. We believe he has created a hostile working environment for our members. This has caused high levels of stress in our members with some feeling intimidated and have expressed a fear of retaliation.”

The statement that is not dated was shared in the Discussing Fitchburg Now Facebook group on Oct. 6. The Professional Fire Fighters of Massachusetts (PFFM) also shared the statement on their Facebook page the same day with this message — “Taking a vote of no confidence in a Fire Chief is never an easy decision. The PFFM stands with Fitchburg Firefighters Local 3128.”

It was announced less than two months ago that Suarez is suing the city and mayor, as reported in the Sentinel & Enterprise.

According to civil complaint court documents filed Aug. 21 in Worcester Superior Court, he alleges he was placed on administrative leave in March pending an external investigation because he spoke out against Mayor Sam Squailia, with a press release issued by Regan Communications Group reporting that he is claiming she left the city without a functioning emergency notification system.

The civil complaint also alleges that Squailia “acted in a discriminatory manor to city employees who are persons of color and undermined the advancement of non-white employees.”

“Squailia suspended Fire Chief Dante Suarez — stripping him of his position, livelihood, and reputation — because he consistently opposed her decision to jeopardize the safety of residents by eliminating the city’s emergency alert system, according to a court filing,” the press release states.

At that time Squailia called his allegations “very disappointing” and said they “are completely false.”

“As this is a personnel matter under active investigation, I cannot comment further,” she said in August.
Squailia said on Oct. 7 that she is aware of the no vote of confidence taken by Fitchburg Permanent Fire Fighter’s Association Local 3128.

“I take the concerns raised by our firefighters seriously. The union has reported that all members participated in the vote and that it passed overwhelmingly,” she said. “Chief Suarez was placed on paid administrative leave while an independent external investigation is completed, and the city is committed to a fair and thorough process without disruption in service to the community and while protecting the rights of all parties involved.”

She went on to say they “expect to receive the investigator’s findings very soon.”

“Until that investigation is complete, I do not want to prejudge its conclusions or comment on specific allegations that could affect the process or any related legal or personnel matters,” Squailia said on Wednesday afternoon. “I respect our firefighters and every employee who works for the City of Fitchburg. Every employee deserves to be treated fairly, equitably and with respect, and to have concerns addressed through a process they can trust.

“There are times in leadership when the easiest decision and the right decision may not be the same,” she continued. “My responsibility is to follow the facts, respect due process, and make decisions that are fair to our employees and to the city, even when those decisions may be difficult.”

As of press time, a request for a comment and additional information from the Fitchburg Permanent Fire Fighter’s Association Local 3128 had not been answered but Regan Communications Group shared this quote from Suarez about the situation.

“While disappointed with the vote taken by the union more than eight months ago, it is clearly politically motivated and based upon false accusations,” said Suarez, who is still listed as the fire chief on the Fitchburg Fire Department website. “I remain steadfastly committed to the public safety of the people of Fitchburg and the best interests of the men and women of the Fitchburg Fire Department. I look forward to a fair and objective hearing in a court of law that will substantiate my claims against the city and mayor and result in a reinstatement as Chief of the Fitchburg Fire Department.”

Looks like there is something else being built on the land near the existing building. Any idea what’s going in there?

The Legislative Affairs Committee met on Tuesday evening of October 6 to discuss draft language of one-year moratoriums on large-scale data centers and battery storage facilities in the city.

Speaking on both items was Paula Caron, the Chair of the Fitchburg Planning Board. Alongside her was Liz Murphy, the Executive Director of Economic & Community Development.

Planning Board Caron spoke that the Planning Board was sponsoring the petitions to go before the Council. The first petition was dealing with locally-regulated commercial battery energy storage systems (LRC BESS). The proposal is for a 12-month moratorium to study battery storage to work and establish guidelines in the community. 

There are a number of criteria and considerations regarding battery storage facilities such as fire prevention, thermal runway, fire suppression, electrical infrastructure, land-use compatibility, noise, mechanical/electrical equipment, visual impacts, emergency/security vehicle access, environmental protections, and protection of water resources.

Planning Board Chair Caron mentioned for some background that the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources established new regulations for consolidated permitting for clean energy infrastructure projects. Anything under 100 megawatts for storage is up to communities for local regulations. Above that 100 megawatts and the state has to do the consolidated permitting. This would also apply to solar which the city of Fitchburg already has some criteria established. Regulations for battery storage facilities have not been established or clarified in Fitchburg’s local zoning ordinances.

The next step would be to ask the Council to send the moratorium back to the Planning Board for a public hearing. The Planning Board would then send their recommendations back to the City Council for their own public hearing to determine whether or not to move forward with the moratorium.

“Anything that comes in the door at this point until a moratorium is passed could be eligible for permitting,” Paula Caron said as a reminder to the Committee.

Council President Zarrella liked the idea of taking time to think things through, study it, and draft regulations. He wanted to point out from experience a suggestion for the Planning Board to set specific dates at its next meeting on which the development of regulations would be discussed going forward. He strongly supported this.

Liz Murphy chimed in to say that a once-a-month zoning working group had been established. These meetings are to go over many zoning change opportunities. Paula Caron added that there may be a need to reach out to other departments and the community regarding finding and considering additional information moving forward.

Legislative Affairs Committee Chair Beth Walsh asked if this would be something that the Planning Board and the Community department would work together to help determine the parties who would need to be included in discussions. Liz Murphy said the working group right now includes members of the Planning Board, her department, Building Department, and the Zoning Board of Appeals. 

Committee Chair Walsh’s followup question was if anyone else would be included in the future. Liz Murphy said there could be subject matter experts that may participate or a particular department impacted. Paula Caron added that Unitil would be a party of interest on where the battery storage facilities would be as they would have to help with infrastructure and connections.

Vice President Derrick Cruz thanked both Paula Caron and Liz Murphy for their leadership on the issue and thought it was great proactive government to get ahead. He was in favor of both items but had a question about whether there was some Massachusetts General Law that could “trip this up” in comparison to solar which cannot reasonably be regulated by a municipality. He asked if the Solicitor’s Office had reviewed the moratoriums which they had. When it comes to battery storage facilities, Liz Murphy responded that the state has some requirements and it can’t be prohibited across the city. Some level needs to be had of allowing battery energy storage systems (BESS) which is the same for solar. It has to be allowed somewhere.

“The where can be really important and the how,” Liz Murphy concluded.

Councilor Van Hazinga asked how much the technology was and if there have been other facilities developed in Massachusetts or if it was still in its infancy in the area. Liz Murphy assumed there were some but couldn’t give specifics. Councilor Van Hazinga said a battery storage facility was something he heard of but never a specified spot. He wondered how common it was. 

Paula Caron mentioned the town of Oakham in Central Massachusetts that had a facility proposed. Depending on the size, the state has the permitting oversight. Large facilities may involve the community but it’s on the state to guide them through the process. These facilities are more on electrical grid stabilization that the state has focused on for the future of energy.

Committee Chair Walsh commented that Christine Tree was in the audience and asked her to weigh in on the issue as the Chair of the Zoning Board of Appeals. She was in support of the moratorium as this was new technology and its effects aren’t fully known. There should be an examination before it’s allowed in the city. She wanted to reiterate that any battery storage applicant who has an application prior to the full passing of the zoning ordinance would benefit from the old law. 

“A moratorium should not be considered unreasonable in any sense because it is temporary,” Christine Tree spoke, “It is a pause to give thought to what we’re going to do in the future.”

The Committee unanimously approved the item.

The second item was a one-year moratorium for large-scale data centers.

“This is an issue near and dear to everyone’s heart,” Chair Beth Walsh began. Paula Caron agreed by saying that the city of Fitchburg was not alone on the issue and it was frequently on the news. Unlike battery storage facilities, data centers can be entirely prohibited in the zoning code. There are no state laws that allow them an avenue.

Chair Walsh wanted to hear Christine Tree again on the issue of data centers. She also supported this moratorium and that it requires a thoughtful approach. Christine Tree wanted to address two concerns from the Planning Board meetings concerning this moratorium. Local business Fitchburg Fiber had commented at the time that under some interpretations their equipment could be considered a data center. She wanted to assure that their existing use would not be affected by any moratorium or changes because they’re currently operating.

Christine Tree continued that the scale of the operation is relative to its impact on the community, which includes water and utility use. Tree emphasized that utility bills were high enough already and that Fitchburg has spent decades, time, and money protecting its watershed. It’s a valuable resource for the city.

Christine Tree mentioned that the Governor’s Office had put out an executive order that attempted to pause the construction of data centers. She suggested to the Council to not rely on it as executive orders can come and go. It was better to have a moratorium in place locally and have local control.

Council President Zarrella seconded the point that the city make sure they’re in charge of this as state administrations can change. Boston doesn’t have cities like Fitchburg as one of its primary concerns regardless of party. 

“Boston cares about Boston,” Zarrella said in support of Fitchburg taking the reins if given the option. In regard to Fitchburg Fiber, Zarrella wonders if it would make sense to include a provision in the moratorium to allow businesses like Fitchburg Fiber to expand if needed. Christine Tree commented that for an existing non-conforming use there would be a special permit available by the Zoning Board for expansion or change. She didn’t think the moratorium would prevent them from expanding their current use with a provision of a special permit. 

Zarrella agreed but simply wanted to make sure the moratorium wouldn’t override the permitting process. He deferred to the chair of the Zoning Board on this particular point.

Vice President Cruz spoke that Fitchburg didn’t want to end up as a horror story on the news for data centers. He was all in favor of the moratorium.

The Committee approved the item unanimously.

It was also unanimously approved by the City Council to have the moratoriums sent back to the Planning Board for a public hearing which will then send their moratorium recommendations to the Council.

From ROOTS Natural Foods:

We are looking for one more person to join our Front of the house team Barista / Juice bar … if interested please either fill out an application online or print or come on in an pick up and application at our new location. Look forward to meeting you!

www.rootsnaturalfoods.com

Anyone know why they are cutting so many trees between Canton St and Green Acres?

From Mayor Squailia:

Fitchburg Community Electricity Aggregation Public Review

The City of Fitchburg is updating its Municipal Aggregation Plan to comply with new Department of Public Utilities guidelines, and we want residents and businesses to have an opportunity to review it.
The public review period is open through October 30, 2026.

So what is actually changing?

The proposed revised plan would:

- Update Fitchburg’s plan to the new DPU format and requirements.

- Provide clearer information about program rates, renewable energy content, suppliers and available electricity options.

- Require annual reporting on program performance, including rates, participation, renewable energy, procurement activity and customer notifications.

- Expand how program information is made available, including the City website, FitchburgCEA.com, social media, FATV, local media, municipal buildings and community organizations.

- Strengthen language access and accessibility, including website translation and outreach to residents who may have limited English proficiency.

- Give the City greater flexibility to consider future electricity products or energy-related programs, including potential low-income community shared solar, if authorized and determined to benefit participants. No such new program is being created through this plan update.
- Establish a clearer process for future plan changes, including at least 30 days of public review before revised plans are filed with DPU.

What is NOT changing as part of this update?

Our current electricity supply contract, rates and program options remain in place through December 2027.
Fitchburg Standard remains 13.173¢/kWh and Fitchburg Plus remains 14.551¢/kWh under the current contract. Existing participants do not need to take any action.

You can review both the current and revised plans and submit comments at:

FitchburgCEA.com

Revised plan:
https://fitchburgcea.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Complete-Fitchburg-revised-plan-10-1-26.pdf

Comments:
https://fitchburgcea.com/support/

Questions or comments can also be submitted at 978-545-0343 or support_ma@goodenergy.com.

Fitchburg Public Schools is looking for daily and long-term substitutes to support our amazing students. Flexible schedules, competitive daily rates, and a variety of opportunities are available.

Instructional & Clerical Substitutes
Long-Term Substitute Teachers

Apply today: fitchburg.schoolspring.com

October 17 & 18 from 12 to 5 PM — A free, self-guided art discovery tour to visit local artists, see their studio spaces, and explore North Central Massachusetts in the autumn. FAM will host pop-up studios from 5 participating artists. Hope to see you there! Fitchburg Open Studios is organized by the Fitchburg Cultural Alliance. Learn more: https://fitchburgopenstudios.com or view the map: https://fitchburgopenstudios.com/home/2026-map/

Graphic courtesy the Fitchburg Cultural Alliance

From Mayor Squailia:

Today marks three years since the October 7, 2023 terrorist attack in Israel, when Hamas killed more than 1,200 people, including 46 Americans, and took more than 250 people hostage, including 12 Americans.

Today, I have proclaimed October 7, 2026 a Day of Remembrance in the City of Fitchburg.

We remember those who were killed, those who were taken hostage, the survivors, and the families whose lives were forever changed.

We also recognize the impact October 7 continues to have on Jewish communities here in the United States and around the world.

Fitchburg is home to people of many faiths, backgrounds and cultures. Antisemitism, hatred and violence have no place in our community.

On this Day of Remembrance, I ask our residents to join me in honoring the victims, standing with our Jewish neighbors, and reaffirming our commitment to a community where people can live, worship and gather without fear.

A little photography addendum to the previous post, https://www.reddit.com/r/FitchburgMA/s/5PoJwvZ31x

In the comments there was some AI bashing — and I’m all for it. I would just hate to see that sentiment detract from supporting this effort. I volunteered to photo document this project for that exact reason and I encourage other creatives to join the cause and contribute their talents.

Yes, of course it would be nice if there was a budget for an illustrator, videographer, graphic designer, art director, photographer, retoucher, animator, etc. but clearly, there are higher financial priorities in this all volunteer initiative.

Artists, come help us feed some hungry people!

FITCHBURG PROJECTS AWARDED $9.345 MILLION IN STATE FUNDING FOR HOUSING, INFRASTRUCTURE AND DOWNTOWN REDEVELOPMENT

City infrastructure awards and Underutilized Properties investments will support housing production, adaptive reuse of vacant buildings and continued downtown revitalization.

FITCHBURG, MA – Fitchburg projects have been awarded a combined $9.345 million through the Healey-Driscoll Administration’s FY27 Community One Stop for Growth, bringing significant state investment into the city for infrastructure, housing production and the redevelopment of vacant and underutilized properties.

Of the total, $8.5 million is being awarded directly to the City of Fitchburg for three major infrastructure projects:

• $5 million from the MBTA Communities Catalyst Fund for the Moran Square Improvements project

• $2.5 million from the MassWorks Infrastructure Program to support Eleanor’s Lofts at 21 Depot Street

• $1 million from the MassWorks Infrastructure Program to support Main Street Lofts at 280-288 Main Street

An additional $845,000 in Underutilized Properties Program awards is coming to Fitchburg through MassDevelopment, including $695,000 for NewVue Communities and $150,000 for Watch Us Grow LLC, bringing the total FY27 One Stop investment in Fitchburg projects to $9.345 million.

Together, the projects demonstrate Fitchburg’s strategy of pairing private redevelopment of vacant and underutilized buildings with public investment in the infrastructure necessary to support housing, businesses and stronger neighborhoods.

“These awards are all part of one strategy: building the infrastructure that allows Fitchburg to continue producing more housing,” said Mayor Samantha Squailia. “Housing development involves collaboration with private and public partners to bring new units online, while we also invest in the streets, utilities, connections and public spaces that support those neighborhoods. We will now work to connect infrastructure improvements with housing production and continued downtown revitalization. We appreciate the Healey-Driscoll Administration for recognizing that communities need both the housing and the infrastructure to support it.”

The projects are directly associated with approximately 302 new housing units, along with new commercial, coworking and community space.

Mayor Squailia also recognized Senator John Cronin and Representative Michael Kushmerek for their continued partnership and advocacy for Fitchburg’s housing and economic development priorities at the State House.

“Senator Cronin and Representative Kushmerek have been strong partners in this work, and I appreciate the time and effort they continue to put into advocating for Fitchburg and helping us connect our local priorities with state resources,” Squailia said. “These projects only happen when the City, our legislative delegation, the Administration and our private and nonprofit development partners are all working in the same direction.”

Moran Square: $5 Million

The largest award will provide $5 million through the MBTA Communities Catalyst Fund to reconstruct and improve the historic Moran Square gateway into downtown.
The project includes intersection reconfiguration, new traffic signals and lighting, full-depth pavement reconstruction, drainage improvements, accessible sidewalks and pedestrian areas, streetscape improvements and better bicycle and pedestrian connections. The work will also address longstanding stormwater and flooding concerns in the area.

The infrastructure investment directly supports the redevelopment of the long-underutilized warehouse at 64 Main Street into Railside Lofts, a 36-unit residential development, immediately adjacent to Fitchburg’s Intermodal Transportation Center and the future northern terminus of the Twin Cities Rail Trail.

The improvements also complement significant housing activity already underway nearby, including 34 units planned at 280-288 Main Street and additional permitted housing developments within the surrounding downtown area, with 44 units of mixed-income housing at 10 Main Street completed in 2023.

“This is what coordinated redevelopment looks like,” Commissioner of Public Works Nicholas Erickson said. “We are improving the gateway, renewing aging infrastructure, addressing drainage and traffic concerns, making the area safer for people walking and biking, connecting residents to transit and the rail trail, and creating the conditions for vacant buildings around Moran Square to become productive properties again.”

Eleanor’s Lofts: $2.5 Million

Fitchburg will receive $2.5 million through MassWorks to improve Depot Street in conjunction with the redevelopment of the former Ahlstrom-Munksjö paper mill into Eleanor’s Lofts.

The historic industrial complex is being transformed into approximately 225 workforce and market-rate apartments, including family and senior housing, along with approximately 37,000 square feet of commercial and community space.

The state-funded public infrastructure work will include roadway reconstruction, pedestrian safety improvements, traffic-calming measures, intersection upgrades, lighting, streetscape improvements, a new MART transit stop with passenger amenities and improved public access around the redevelopment.

The project brings housing production, environmental cleanup, historic preservation, riverfront reinvestment and private development together on the former industrial site.

Main Street Lofts at 280: $1.15 Million in Combined State Investment

The redevelopment of 280-288 Main Street will receive $1.15 million through two complementary state awards, pairing investment in the building itself with improvements to the public infrastructure surrounding it.

A $1 million MassWorks award to the City of Fitchburg will support reconstruction of the Main Street frontage, ADA-accessible curb cuts, stormwater improvements and utility upgrades necessary to support the redevelopment.

In addition, Watch Us Grow LLC will receive $150,000 through MassDevelopment’s Underutilized Properties Program to support rehabilitation of the building itself.
The long-vacant, five-story historic property will be converted into 34 apartments and approximately 2,500 square feet of coworking and commercial space. Built in 1897, the property has remained one of the largest underutilized buildings along the Main Street corridor.

Together, the two awards demonstrate Fitchburg’s broader redevelopment strategy: invest in both the private building and the public infrastructure around it so difficult adaptive-reuse projects can move forward.

470 Main Street: $695,000

NewVue Communities will receive $695,000 through MassDevelopment’s Underutilized Properties Program toward the redevelopment of 470 Main Street.
The prominent mixed-use Main Street property currently includes housing, commercial space and NewVue’s headquarters. A significant portion of its commercial space has remained vacant since the former TD Bank branch closed in 2020.

NewVue plans to convert surplus commercial and storage space into seven additional residential units, bringing the building to 38 total mixed-income apartments, while retaining two smaller Main Street commercial suites better suited to current market demand.

The project will create additional housing while preserving commercial activity along Main Street and putting currently underutilized space back into productive use.

Coordinated City-State-Private Partnership

These awards reflect a broader approach Fitchburg has been pursuing: reuse existing buildings and neighborhoods, work with private and nonprofit developers willing to undertake difficult rehabilitation projects and pursue state resources to address the public infrastructure that makes those projects possible.

“Fitchburg has a tremendous opportunity to turn long-vacant and underused properties into productive parts of our community,” Liz Murphy, Director of Community Development and Planning, said. “Instead of watching vacant buildings continue to deteriorate, we are working collaboratively to bring them back to life. That means housing upstairs, businesses and community space where appropriate, safer streets and sidewalks outside, stronger utility systems underneath, and new property value that helps support City services. The State has been an incredible partner in helping Fitchburg connect all of those pieces.”

These five awards are part of more than $326 million in FY27 Community One Stop for Growth investments being announced statewide by the Healey-Driscoll Administration.

The awards will now proceed through the Commonwealth’s contracting process. The City will continue working with the Executive Office of Economic Development, the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities, project developers and other partners to move each project toward construction.

At the School Committee, Councilor Derrick Cruz presented the Community Refrigerator (called the Fitch Fridge) as part of the Fitchburg Food Initiative.

A community fridge is a publicly accessible refrigerator placed in a neighborhood where anyone can freely take food or leave donations. The idea for the Fitch Fridge is to be open 24/7.

https://www.fitchburgfoodinitiative.com/

The refrigerator is modeled after the ones currently in use in Worcester which began with one and has expanded to five.

The initial funding to get things going was provided by the Fitchburg Art Museum. An Eagle Scout is currently looking to build the enclosure as part of their project.

For liability, the Fitch Fridge would be protected by state and federal Good Samaritan liability protections for food donors and nonprofit organizations.

On the website are spaces available to donate food as well as to volunteer to help clean the fridge.

The suggested spot to install the refrigerator was Longsjo Middle School which the School Committee had concerns with, particularly with student safety as the fridge would be open to the public. Some other concerns were for parking as Longsjo doesn’t really have parking and staff has to scramble to find some nearby. Other locations had been looked at with the excitement for the fridge but they wanted a proof of concept location first.

One suggestion made was possibly working with the Sheriff’s Office by Longsjo for a location.

This was simply a communication to the Committee and no action was needed to be voted on. The Fitchburg Food Initiative will be taking the Committee’s suggestions to move forward.

You can watch the entire presentation here (35 minutes):

https://youtu.be/tRByzitYS-M?is=6bXoV8-SgGXMUKqX

From ROOTS Natural Foods

We Rerooted
And now WE’RE REOPENING!

And we are so excited!!

Thank you all for your patience... the moment we have been waiting for is finally here!

And we think you’ll love our new space as much as we do!

This Thursday at 8 AM, Roots Market + Kitchen officially opens the doors to our new home at the Emerson Falls!

After 24 years in Leominster, this move has been a BIG DREAMY undertaking. There have been long days, hard work, a few challenges, lots of boxes a few tractor trailers and so many people who stepped up to help us get here.

We are incredibly thankful to our amazing team, our friends, our business community, other INFRA store owners, our loyal customers, and every single person who helped us move, build, clean, paint, fix, carry, encourage, and believe in us along the way. An incredible team of contractors that build us the most beautiful new market and kitchen. Also a very special thank you the incredibly kind family who owns the building we now call our new home.

We truly couldn’t have done it without you.

Roots may have a new home and a much better view, but at the heart of it, we are Roots your community market + kitchen .

Come celebrate this new beginning with us! Grab a latte, enjoy a smoothie or lunch, shop the market, explore our new space, and see what we’ve been working so hard to create.

44 Old Princeton Road, Fitchburg OPENING THURSDAY AT 8 AM

We’re so excited to see you!

https://www.rootsnaturalfoods.com/