Nashoba Valley Medical Center Slated for Closure

The owner of Nashoba Hospital, Steward Health Care, owns several hospitals throughout the region. They have announced that they are in a financial crisis and as a result plans on closing or selling several facilities.

Steward Health Care has been having financial difficulties for the last few years and reports they are over $50 million behind in rent. They are unable to continue operations at full capacity as a result.

Nashoba, Norwood, Holy Family, and St Elizabeths are on the list of hospitals Steward wants to close. Steward has not announced a timeline when this will occur.

The situation is dire and changes daily. Those who depend on Nashoba Valley Medical Center for any part of their healthcare should remain vigilant and be prepared to get needed care elsewhere. Patients should keep in touch with their healthcare providers for updated information regarding access to care related to their personal situation.

Currently, Nashoba is fully operational. Their Emergency Room is still open.

Other area hospitals not owned by Steward include:

Leominster Hospital

Emerson Hospital, Concord

St Joseph, Nashua

Southern New Hampshire, Nashua

Stay tuned for more information on this rapidly changing issue. 

Contested Race for Selectman Seat

 Apathy runs deep for municipal elections in this area. Board of Selectmen races are about the only ones that get attention and competition. This cycle is no different.

Chaz Sexton-Diranian, who is the current Chair of the BOS, is up for reelection this year. Word has it that he is running to stay on the board. 

He has competition from a newcomer - Joshua Abrams.

Josh moved to Townsend about a year ago. He's been active in Townsend and local communities meeting with town and city officials learning how their communities work. 

Most of his community activism can be seen on YouTube on his popular channel - Accountability for All - 

Here's a link -

Accountability for All 

This should be a very interesting election. 

Josh will be circulating around town collecting signatures on his nomination papers. 

US Rep Lori Trahan and State Rep Margaret Scarsdale Announce Office Hours

 Our Representative in Congress, Lori Trahan, has posted her regional office hours. 

Here are the times and locations:

Tuesday, January 16th in Fitchburg

Wednesday, January 17th in Lawrence

Thursday, January 18th in Concord

Tuesday, February 6th in Fitchburg

Wednesday, February 7th in Lawrence

Thursday, February 8th in Acton

Exact times/locations and signups are available here: Rep Lori Trahan Office Hours

Margaret Scarsdale, our State Representative, announced her office hours:

January, March, May, July, September

Dunstable 

Ashby

Lunenburg

February, April, June, August, October

Groton

Pepperell

Townsend

See her website for more specific information.

TCAM Got the Word and Went Legit!

 Apparently, Townsend Community Access Media (TCAM) reads this blog. We previously reported that they were about to lose their charter with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts as a non-profit corporation for failure to file annual reports for 3 years.

Just in the nick of time, they filed 3 years worth of Annual Reports, 2021, 2022, and 2023. They filed them all this past week. 

Those hooked on watching cable channel 9 don't have to worry, they will continue to broadcast - for the time being. Meetings of town boards are also available on the town's YouTube channel for those not on cable. Those interested can also attend live via Zoom. Meeting information is posted on the Townsend website.

The jobs program at TCAM will also continue.

Keep those tips coming!!

BREAKING: Timberlee Park Woman Charged with Attempted Murder of her Husband

A Timberlee Park woman, Roxanne Doucette of Ash St., was arraigned for the attempted murder of her husband in early December. She was released on personal recognizance. 

She claims to have been scammed by someone claiming to be a soap opera star, who convinced her to get rid of her husband. She is alleged to have poisoned him with soup. He was hospitalized as a result. 

Her daughter reported her concerns about the poisoning to police. She had been going through her mother’s text messages with the alleged scammer when she came upon texts related to the soup and potentially collecting life insurance.

This incident happened in early December and is just now coming to light. It is unknown why the police had not revealed the arrest until now. It is also unknown if there is an ongoing investigation regarding the alleged scammer.

More to follow as information becomes available.

Meet the Town Administrator - January 9th 4PM - Library

Do you have concerns you would like to bring to Town Hall? Here’s your chance to have your voices heard.

The Town Administrator, Eric Slagle, will be holding open office hours Tuesday, January 9th from 4-5PM at the Townsend Library.

Who is that???

The Town Administrator is the full time, day to day administrator who oversees everything in town government and advises the Board of Selectmen (BOS) on issues, policies, etc. 

He will be able to address your concerns immediately or will get back to citizens at a later time. He will also advise the BOS about what concerns citizens have.

Can’t make it?

He can be reached at: eslagle@townsendma.gov

Get your FREE Sand Before the Storm Hits!

Did you know that the Highway Department has sand/salt mix available for residents to pick up? Many people move to Townsend and don’t learn about this little gem of a helpful resource.

The Highway Department is located at 177 Main Street. Heading east from the center, it’s just as you are going up the hill from the Haffner’s gas station, on the left. There is a big boulder at the driveway entrance. The building is tucked in where you can’t see it from the road.

Drive in the gate and go around to the back of the building. There are bins to the left for residents to get their sand. Bring your own container and shovel. Sometimes there is a shovel there.

The sand is available on weekdays and weekends. They don’t close the gate.

Head up to the Highway Garage and pick up your sand before the storm hits!

Presidential Primary March 5th – Important Information

The presidential primary is a very important election. This is the opportunity for voters to select who will be on the ballot in November and then elected (or reelected) as President of the United States for the following four years. 

Massachusetts is not alone voting on March 5th. This date is called “Super Tuesday” because Alabama, Arkansas, Alaska, California, Colorado, Iowa, Maine, Minnesota, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont and Virginia are all having a primary at the same time. Super Tuesday is around the corner and everyone who is eligible to vote should get ready to participate in this critical part of our democracy.

Voters have until February 24th to make sure they are registered to vote and registered in the category they want to vote in for the Presidential Primary.

What does that mean?

Primary elections decide who will be the candidate nominated in each political party for the final vote in November. Any voter can vote in a primary. There are some restrictions on how.

Voters registered in a political party can only vote in a primary for that party. Unenrolled or independent voters can vote in any political party’s primary.

For example: Someone registered to vote as a Republican must take a ballot at the primary for Republican candidates, Democrats and Libertarians can only take a ballot for their respective parties. Unenrolled voters can take a ballot for any party they choose.

You can change party affiliation any time before February 24th if you are currently registered in a different party than you want to vote in on March 5th. You don’t have to do anything if you are unenrolled or are planning on voting in your current party. 

It’s a good idea to check your current voting status. This can be done HERE. That link takes you to the Secretary of the Commonwealth Voter Registration page. You can check to see if you are registered to vote and the related particulars.

If you aren’t registered at all or if you want to make a change, that link will take you there. Just make sure you do this by February 24th, so you can participate in this historic election.

Every Vote Counts!

Polls will be open at Town Hall from 7AM to 8PM on March 5th.