Moving Forward Together: January Updates from Fitchburg
Hey Fitchburg friends! 🌟
As we settle into 2025, there's so much happening in our community that I'm excited to share with you. Let's dive into what's been keeping us busy this new year!
City Council Updates
The Common Council meeting (1/14/2025) was packed with important discussions about our city's future. What stands out is how engaged our community members were – your voices and perspectives continue to shape the decisions that affect all of us. Thank you to everyone who showed up and shared their thoughts!
Protecting Our Urban Forest
Speaking of community engagement, the new tree resolution represents a significant step forward in our commitment to maintaining a healthy, green community for generations to come. The resolution builds on work that began with the McGaw Park Master Plan back in 2012, expanding our forest management efforts in meaningful ways.
The resolution does two important things: First, it expands the Forest Management Plan for McGaw Community Park and Seymour Johnson Neighborhood Park to cover all five work areas, going beyond the partial implementation we started in 2018. The updated plan will include planting native trees and shrubs as buffers along park boundaries. Second, and perhaps most exciting, the city will be developing a comprehensive Forestry Management Policy that will cover all public woodlots in Fitchburg.
Our urban forest isn't just about beautiful streets; it's about creating a sustainable, livable city for all of us. This resolution, if approved, would be adopted on February 11th, demonstrating our community's long-term commitment to protecting and enhancing our natural spaces.
Healthy Neighborhoods Initiative
Here's something that perfectly embodies what makes our city special – our 2025 Healthy Neighborhoods Grant Program! This initiative isn't just about improving neighborhoods; it's about strengthening the connections that make Fitchburg feel like home.
If you're part of a non-profit organization serving our Priority Neighborhoods (Verona Road West, Belmar/Renaissance on the Park, North Fish Hatchery Road, or Southdale), we want to hear from you! The program focuses on creating lasting positive impact through:
Youth mentoring and education programs that invest in our next generation
Adult education and workforce development to build opportunities
Food security initiatives to ensure no neighbor goes hungry
Community-building projects that bring us all closer together
Mark your calendars: Applications are due February 10th, 2025. You'll find all application materials below:
This is your chance to make a real difference in our priority neighborhoods and help create the strong, vibrant community we all envision.
New Year, New Opportunities
As we kick off 2025, I'm reminded of what makes our community truly special – it's you, our residents, who step up time and time again to make Fitchburg better. Whether it's participating in council meetings, protecting our environment, or building stronger neighborhoods, you show up for our community.
Let's make 2025 our year to strengthen connections, build inclusive spaces, and create the community we all want to call home. Remember, every small action counts – whether it's attending a neighborhood meeting, planting a tree, or simply helping a neighbor.
Stay awesome, Fitchburg! Together, we're building something special.
