The five towns of Wachusett Regional are taking over Polar Park on Saturday, September 19, when the WooSox play the Durham Bulls at 4:05 p.m. “Each Town Takeover shines a spotlight on a different community, bringing local pride, fans, and neighbors together for an unforgettable day at the ballpark.” Every Saturday game includes a post-game Sunset Catch on the field for all fans.

Every ticket purchased through a Town Takeover offer gives back—$5 from each ticket sold is donated directly to a nonprofit organization in the featured town. WFP emailed the WooSox asking which nonprofits would receive these donations, but we haven’t heard back before press time. Go here for ticket information: mlb.com/milb/worcester

Holden

• Three Holden residents were recognized in the Worcester Business Journal’s 40 under 40, class of 2026. As the WBJ wrote: “Their impact extends beyond their day jobs. Throughout this year’s class, professional achievement is intertwined with community involvement. Winners coach youth sports, serve on nonprofit boards, mentor students and younger professionals, advocate for people in need, raise money for charities, and volunteer in the communities where they live and work.

These 40 leaders aren’t preparing to shape the future of Central Massachusetts. They’ve already started.”

WFP extends our congratulations to:

Michael Bollus Jr. is a senior tax advisor and consultant at Bollus Lynch, LLP, in Worcester. Bollus oversaw the implementation of an international team, including its onboarding, training, and development, and conducts check-ins designed to eliminate bottlenecks and improve efficiency. 

James Cunningham is president of Cunningham Equities, in Worcester. Cunningham is preserving Central Massachusetts’ industrial history while turning long-vacant properties into places to live and work.

Ashley Riley is a senior wealth advisor at Bartholomew & Co., in Worcester. Riley traded scientific research for wealth management, bringing an analytical approach from the laboratory into clients’ financial planning.

Paxton

• The Anna Maria College Transition Advisory Committee (AMC-TAC) met on September 2 to elect officers and define its charge and purpose. Voted in as chair was Jeff Wentzell (Paxton Select Board representative); vice chair is David Bloom (Finance Committee representative); and as clerk Town Administrator Robert Birkbeck. When committee members expressed interest in touring the campus, Wentzell asked Birkbeck to coordinate those visits so members can better understand the condition of the school’s buildings and other assets. Members agreed to hold public information sessions to keep residents informed, but after the auction, which has been scheduled for October 20. 

Britt Clark, a member of AMC-TAC who represents the Zoning Board of Appeals, gave a presentation on the current zoning under which the college falls: General Residence B which allows for Agriculture: farming, nursery, garden or greenhouse, commercial poultry farms, and with special permits Fur Farm and Livestock. It also allows Residential: detached single family dwellings; senior residential development (SP); bed & breakfast inn (SP) and Accessory Dwelling Units. Municipal administrative cultural, recreational, water supply or protective use, operated by the Town of Paxton, historical association or society.

Clark also mentioned that the ZBA has four vacancies and is looking for volunteers to fill those spots. Compared to other boards and commissions that can meet once or twice a month, the ZBA might meet three or four times a year: “It’s a low commitment – but high impact – committee,” said Clark.

Wentzell said that the state Office of Economic Development has reached out to get a sense of the town and its hopes for the campus. He said the state was told “nothing is off the table for discussions.” The AMC-TAC will meet again in early October before the auction.

Rutland

• Rutland received disappointing news from the state Department of Conservation and Recreation regarding the Prison Camps. Despite attending a meeting where residents refuted the agency’s allegations of hate-filled graffiti and unsafe conditions and requested that the site be repaired and renovated, DCR has decided the following:  Prison Cells – DCR will remove the upper portion of the interior and exterior walls to a height of 3-4 feet. The footprint of the structure will remain, the public will be able to walk through the cells, and the unstable top portions of the walls will be removed. This will substantially reduce (or eliminate) any public safety risk from crumbling walls and should also reduce the overall graffiti. Root Cellar – DCR will seal off the entrance to the root cellar and then fill the structure with sand, rocks, and gravel. The roof of this structure is unsafe so allowing the public access to the inside is not possible. By filling the structure with material, it will remain intact while eliminating any safety hazard. Educational Signs – DCR will explore the possibility of installing new educational signs at the site, but options may be limited given the history of damage to signage at the site.
Residents and the Historical Commission have begun a campaign to push back on these plans. Stay tuned for news of next steps.

• In the August issue of its publication Nature News, the Ware River Nature Club gave a shout out to Kerry Remmington who recently retired as director of the Rutland Library. Organizers wrote, “When Ware River Nature Club was a fledgling organization searching for a suitable location to hold monthly program meetings, Rutland Public Library Director Kerry Remington put out the welcome mat for us…. Without her help and support the club would probably still be looking for a comfortable, accessible, and free meeting space. …. We are ever grateful to Kerry for facilitating the cooperative arrangement that allows us to offer free nature and wildlife education programs to the community and beyond.”  The club will host a free talk on bird banding at 7 pm on September 29. See the Calendar for details. W