In today’s daily 5 Things You Need to Know feature, ThisWeekinWorcester.com explores five important items and stories that Worcester and Central Massachusetts residents should keep a close eye on.
These five things can cover a whole range of subjects and issues that we feel are pertinent to understanding what’s going on in the city and the cities and towns surrounding Worcester.
In today’s edition – Tuesday, February 1 – Leominster Public Schools are awarded $650,000, public comment period on Cannabis Control Commission’s Disproportionately Impacted Areas is open now, fans can return to Worcester Public Schools Athletics events on February 19, the Worcester Bravehearts bring their summer camp back in 2022, and average gas prices in Massachusetts go up three cents this week.
Leominster Public Schools Awarded $650,000 in American Rescue Plan
U.S. Congressman Jim McGovern, State Senator John Cronin, State Representative Natalie Higgins, Leominster Superintendent of Schools Paula Deacon, and other local leaders were at the Bennett School, at 145 Pleasant Street, in Leominster on Monday, January 31, to announce $650,000 in American Rescue Plan funds provided to Leominster Public Schools,
The funding supports the following projects:
- $100,000 for HVAC Upgrades at Bennett School.
- $100,000 for an Early Ed Center Feasibility Study.
- $150,000 for water filtration updates in Leominster Public Schools.
- $300,000 for portable classrooms for elementary schools in Leominster Public Schools.
Public Comment on Cannabis Control Commission’s Disproportionately Impacted Areas
Starting Monday, January 31, 2022, the public may weigh in on possible changes to the Cannabis Control Commission (Commission)’s list of 29 Massachusetts municipalities – including certain census tracts – deemed Disproportionately Impacted Areas (DIAs).
Submissions should be sent to [email protected] with the subject line, “Public Comment: Disproportionately Impacted Areas” by 5 PM on Friday, March 4, 2022.
Potential policy changes to the 29 cities and towns designated as DIAs may affect eligibility for the agency’s Social Equity Program, and Positive Impact Plan benefits for municipalities.
The current list of DIAs, in part, established eligibility for the Commission’s Economic Empowerment program, for which state law only permitted applications during a two-week period in 2018. The 122 Certified Economic Empowerment Applicants receive priority license application review, certain fee waivers, and exclusive access to Commission pre-certification and delivery and social consumption license types for a minimum of three years.
A December 2017 study, “The Impact of Drug and Marijuana Arrests on Local Communities in Massachusetts,” helped Commissioners identify the current list of 29 cities and towns, including specific census tracts in Boston, Lowell, Springfield, and Worcester, as DIAs. Review the January 9, 2018 public meeting presentation and minutes from that discussion using these links.
Attend Worcester Public Schools Athletics Events Starting February 19
Worcester Public Schools currently allows only caretakers and siblings of athletes at athletic events, but that’s set to change.
Starting on February 19, fans may return to athletic events at City schools.
All attendees and athletes must wear masks to attend.
Worcester Bravehearts Summer Camp Returns
The Worcester Bravehearts announced it will host the return of its two-week summer camp in 2022. In 2021, the Bravehearts hosted over 200 campers per week during their two-week summer camp.
Newly hired Operations Manager Aaron Bolduc will lead the logistics of the camp’s operations this coming summer. Bolduc was a pitcher at UMass-Boston, and worked in the operations department for the Bravehearts in the Summer of 2022.
The Bravehearts coaching staff will also help to lead the camp, while players will rotate daily to train different age groups.
Gas Prices Up Three Cents in Massachusetts This Week
AAA Northeast reports changes in gas prices across the region on a weekly basis. Massachusetts’s average gas increased three cents last week, averaging $3.39 per gallon. That price is one cent lower than a month ago and $1.00 higher than January 24, 2020 ($2.39).
Massachusetts’s average gas price is three cents higher than the national average.
“Uncertainty over Russia’s intentions toward Ukraine is contributing to higher crude oil prices, which are closing in on $90 per barrel,” says Mary Maguire, Director of Public/Government Affairs. “Russia is a member of OPEC+, and any sanctions based on their actions toward Ukraine may cause it to withhold crude oil from the global market. Higher oil prices will lead to higher pump prices for drivers.”
AAA Northeast’s January 31 survey of fuel prices found the current national average to be three cents higher than last week ($3.33), averaging $3.36 a gallon. Today’s national average price is eight cents higher than a month ago ($3.28) and 94 cents higher than this day last year ($2.42).
Comparison to neighboring states, according to AAA Northeast:
