The Radio Boston webchat with Fitchburg Mayor Lisa Wong drew spirited questions from people across the Commonwealth. Schools, crimes, jobs, the environment, the challenges of rebuilding a major Massachusetts mill city… click on this webpost to read the full transcript.
claudine
Welcome Mayor Wong to Radio Boston
10:37 meghna157
Hello! This is Meghna from radio boston. I work with Claudine. Thank you to the Mayor for joining us
10:37 Ken Jones
Hi meg,
10:39 meghna157
Hello moderator
10:39 WBUR Moderator
Hi Meghna
10:40 meghna157
It might help if you're also able to listen to the show as it airs (1-2pm)
10:40 meghna157
You can do it through the listen live link on wbur.org
10:40 meghna157
www.wbur.org/listen
10:40 meghna157
that way, you can guide and direct the conversation at times if needed
10:44 WBUR Moderator
hi Caleb
10:45 Caleb Cushing8
Hello
10:46 WBUR Moderator
Caleb, where are you listening from?
10:47 Mary Giannetti
Listening In….hello all
10:47 Caleb Cushing8
I am listening in the Boston area.
10:48 WBUR Moderator
Hi Mary, welcome to the chat
10:56 Mayor Lisa Wong
Hi all! It's Lisa Wong signing in.
10:57 WBUR Moderator
Mayor Wong, welcome to the Radio Boston webchat!
10:57 Mayor Lisa Wong
I'm really excited about chatting with everyone.
10:58 meghna157
Mayor Wong, this is Meghna Chakrabarti, with Radio Boston (reporter)
10:58 meghna157
Haven't met you in person, but I'm curious - what do you think is your biggest challenge?
10:58 meghna157
In revitalizing FItchburg - a city with so many challenges?
10:59 meghna157
And, how are you going to try and balance revitalization (which sometimes means gentrification) and keeping the city an affordable place to live?
10:59 meghna157
Thanks!
11:00 Mayor Lisa Wong
Hi Meghna. My biggest challenge right now is actually organization - trying to meet everyone and get all the information I need.
11:01 Mayor Lisa Wong
Mixed use, mixed income developments. Keeping things family friendly. Utilizing public transporation more.
11:01 Mayor Lisa Wong
I am a big believer in small businesses and family run busineses - so people can live near where they work and vice versa.
11:03 Claudine
Hi Mayor, Claudine in the Radio Boston studio here. Hope all you guests use this time to ask the Mayor your questions. As for me, I'd like to know what you think the best way is to change the image of Fitchburg?
11:04 Mayor Lisa Wong
Communication to begin with. And then finding ways for people to see for themselves the potential here.
11:05 Mayor Lisa Wong
For example, we held our first “First Thursdays” event in the downtown yesterday - the theme this month was the Chinese New Year. There were several hundred people in attendance who would not otherwise be downtown.
11:06 guest1694149
wht up?
11:06 ebbtide
People love the water, to look at it, to touch it, to use it for fun.I'd like to know how the Mayor intends to use the river to strengthen the town culturaly, recreationally and economically
11:06 Mary Giannetti
Hi Mayor I don't have a question just like to share with you how much my daughter enjoyed her “thursday Night out with the mayor” The arts and craft she made last night are displayed in the diner
11:06 guest1694149
ebbtide your name?
11:06 ebbtide
Bruce
11:07 Mayor Lisa Wong
The river is an absolute part of our present and future
11:07 Mayor Lisa Wong
There is over 8 miles of river and therefore 16 miles of riverfront in the city
11:07 Mayor Lisa Wong
Most of our vacant mills buildings fall along the river
11:08 Mayor Lisa Wong
We want to push development along the river and use the river for recreation
11:08 Claudine
Is the river clean enough for recreation?
11:08 Symboline Dai
Hi mayor wong!
11:08 Mayor Lisa Wong
The three “R”s in Fitchburg are the Rail, River and the Road - all are part of the infrastructure we need to grow
11:08 Mayor Lisa Wong
The river is clean enough for most recreation with exceptions
11:09 ebbtide
Just a few years ago Boston's harbor was a source of embarassmentto our city, with nothing but abandoned industrial sites. Today it is a source of opportunity, wealth and pride. I'm glad to see you understand the new meaning of water power.
11:09 Mayor Lisa Wong
We are continuing to clean up the river
11:10 Claudine
Is that costing a lot?
11:10 Claudine
And where's the money coming from? I understand Fitchburg has a bunch of brownfield sites?
11:11 Mayor Lisa Wong
One of our main initiatives in is to seperate the sewer and wastewater systems so there is less “things” coming into the river.
11:11 ebbtide
If you have creative ideas, you can attract new resources - including private sector investment.
11:12 Mayor Lisa Wong
We are also cleaning up those brownfields sites. We have EPA grants.
11:12 Mayor Lisa Wong
Yes. The point is to leverage public funds to attract private development!
11:13 Mayor Lisa Wong
We have already developed a few brownfields sites into parks, new businesses and trails.
11:13 ebbtide
I work for a non profit here in boston that thinks alot like you do. I'd love to talk with you sometime offline. I'll call your office next week
11:13 Mayor Lisa Wong
Thanks Bruce. I look forward to hearing from you.
11:14 Mayor Lisa Wong
Happy Chinese New Year to everyone!
11:14 Mayor Lisa Wong
Gung Hay Fat Choy!
11:15 Mayor Lisa Wong
Back to the river, it is an inspiration because it is one of the most enduring engines, literally and figuratively.
11:15 Mayor Lisa Wong
I am focusing on engines - because it powers us forward.
11:16 Mayor Lisa Wong
YOU are engines too.
11:16 WBUR Moderator
To all the new listeners, feel free to jump in with questions for Mayor Wong! Also let us know where you're chatting from.
11:18 Mayor Lisa Wong
I like hearing all these names for “mill cities”
11:18 Mayor Lisa Wong
Small cities, middle cities, gateways cities
11:19 Mayor Lisa Wong
It speaks to a need to reinvent ourselves without reinventing the wheel.
11:19 Claudine
Other chatroom guests - do you live in any of these cities? I'm wondering if the condition is same where you live
11:20 beth
Beth from the northshoreIs it tough to be a woman in government in 2008.
11:20 beth
sorry. Is it tough to be a woman elected official in 2008?
11:20 Mayor Lisa Wong
I'm not seeing it yet as a challenge.
11:21 Mayor Lisa Wong
Others have pointed to my age, ethnicity and “outsider” status.
11:21 beth
What is your biggest professional challenge as mayor?
11:21 Mayor Lisa Wong
But it an environment that I have been used to for years.
11:21 Fuzzburg
I grew up in Fitchburg (live in Lunenburg now) and love the city's geography and architecture. It could be a wonderful place again if it can attract new jobs and people. I have great hopes that you can help the city do that.
11:21 Mayor Lisa Wong
Thank you.
11:22 Mayor Lisa Wong
My biggest professional challenges will probably change over time and situations. Right now, it is to overcome my desire to fix everything at once.
11:22 Mayor Lisa Wong
Yesterday was my one month anniversary in office.
11:22 beth
you seem pretty good at multi-tasking!
11:23 Mayor Lisa Wong
That's why I love this “job”!
11:24 artmama
My husband and are are struggling artists. Places like Fitchburg are attractive and would have been ideal BEFORE we had kids. What about the school system issues and general town safety.
11:24 Mayor Lisa Wong
You are absolutely right about schools and safety being important.
11:24 Fuzzburg
I'd like to ask what your vision is for downtown, how does the city attract businesses and people to Main Street?
11:24 wicca
Do you really think that sophistacated Bostonians are going to want to rub elbos with poor, toothless, loud and scary people in the local Market Basket?
11:24 Mayor Lisa Wong
That is why I am focusing so much on the finances right now, and also good management of resources.
11:25 Raleigh St. Clair
I'm particularly interested in Main Street - it's had such a low occupancy rate for the last decade - what are your plans for bringing businesses (and by extension, shoppers) downtown?
11:25 Mayor Lisa Wong
Have you seen our Market Basket - it is gorgeous!
11:25 wicca
That's an evasion of the question about the scary people.
11:25 Mayor Lisa Wong
I lived in Boston for years, have a family restaurant in Central Sq in Cambridge and lived in Sydney Australia. And I love Fitchburg.
11:26 Claudine
I know some unsophisticated Bostonians
11:26 guest166920
I think there are equally poor toothless lour scary people in Boston…
11:26 guest166920
sorry, loud
11:26 Mayor Lisa Wong
Main Street needs work. We are starting to get things right by allowing housing on the upper floors.
11:26 Mayor Lisa Wong
We are also understanding that people want 1) convenience and 2) destinations
11:27 Mayor Lisa Wong
So having people live there will create opportunites for convenience
11:27 beth
Art can play a role in bringing new people to town: Studios, the galleries, etc - same with dance.
11:27 Mayor Lisa Wong
Which for those of us who have lived in suburbs can become destinations.
11:27 Mayor Lisa Wong
We have a new gallery - the Rollstone Gallery on Main Street
11:28 Raleigh St. Clair
I have to say that in the 7 years I've been here, Fitchburg has improved substantially.
11:28 Mayor Lisa Wong
It is home to 10 artists and will have its grand opening in March.
11:28 Fuzzburg
Places like Destare may help with the destination part. I don't remember the last time there was business in that space,let alone such a nice one.
11:28 beth
Excellent: Do they have a webpage yet?
11:28 Raleigh St. Clair
That's great news about the gallery - we've been driving past it for months wondering when it would open
11:29 Mayor Lisa Wong
I agree. I have been here since 2001 and it is going in the right direction
11:29 Mayor Lisa Wong
It will be featured during the March First Thursday.
11:29 Raleigh St. Clair
Excellent
11:30 Mayor Lisa Wong
We are also working on whitewater kayaking in the river.
11:31 Jason
As a Boston-area paddler, I love the idea of adding kayaking runs in the area. Lots of paddlers from Boston are accustomed to driving 3+ hours. Transit-accessible paddling could bring a lot of folks out to Figchburg to boat.
11:31 Mayor Lisa Wong
The first place we are looking at is a few minutes walk from the train station.
11:31 architect
lowell did a wonderful job turning the derelict mills into a national park
11:31 HICCUP
ARTIST SPACE !!!!!! LIVE WORK SPACE ALONG THE RIVER FOR ARTISTS!!!!
11:32 Mayor Lisa Wong
ABSOLUTELY!
11:32 Jason
That is fantastic. Does the station have Zipcar spaces?
11:32 Mayor Lisa Wong
Not yet! What a wonderful idea!
11:32 HICCUP
I'm an illustrator/designer/video game designer—I'm also a kayaker
11:33 Dan_R
Congrats to Mayor Wong for bringing youth and enthusiasm to Fitchburg
11:33 guest268317
For those people interested in leaving Boston for a more affordable town could you say something about schools?
11:33 Scott Madin
I like the idea of apartments/studios for artists etc. in the old mill buildings; when I lived in Waltham I always thought that would have been a great use of (some of) the old watch factory building
11:33 architect
Iam am a kayak fisherman- I agree good access to the water will encourage people to use the resource
11:33 Dan_R
As a member of the same generation (I'm 30) I feel it's time to take the reins from the older generations
11:33 Fuzzburg
More than just gallerysand living spaces, to attract an arts community you need places for them to congregate. Coffee shops, places for live music, etc…
11:33 HICCUP
I'd love to work for a video game company along the river in fitchburg or have aworkspace /loft along the river—I love paddling! and I love old mill space–I'd come in a heart beat if you have those plans for the community
11:33 Mayor Lisa Wong
Yes. We need to work on the schools - we have UNIQUE opportunities like a Fitchburg Arts Academy, dual language programs in elementary schools.
11:34 Dan_R
There are good schools in and around Fitchburg, too
11:34 Mayor Lisa Wong
BUT we do need to get our score up, make sure our teachers have resources and the right certifications.
11:34 Mayor Lisa Wong
I am also the Chair of the School Committee and it is an honor and a pleasure.
11:34 Dan_R
the public schools in Fitchburg would benefit from an influx of tax dollars, so move to the burg 
11:35 guest268317
I am certainly going to keep Fitchburg in mind!
11:35 Mayor Lisa Wong
I have formed new subcommittees and working on a strategic plan.
11:35 Mayor Lisa Wong
We also have one of the best superintendants in the state who in his third year here, has done wonders.
11:35 Dan_R
don't forget the fact that Fitchburg State College is in the heart of the town - I'm an alum
11:35 Mayor Lisa Wong
And I live right by FSC.
11:36 Dan_R
The state college system is very good, and FSC is one of the best of them all, especially their communications, nursing, and teaching programs
11:36 Mayor Lisa Wong
My house is a 3bed, 1.5 bath Arts and Crafts on a hill overlooking the college and the downtown.
11:36 Jason
I know there are a number of small farms in that area. Does Fitchburg currently have a weekly farmers' market in operation? Local food could work neatly with the other kayaking/arts/quality of life amenities we've been talking about
11:36 artmama
teachers certainly need better pay. There are a lot of people who would make briliant teachers, but don't go into the pubilic fielf becasue they don't get paid anything
11:36 Mayor Lisa Wong
I overpaid at 185,000 because there was a three way bidding war.
11:36 HICCUP
Renovate some old mills and sell the loft spaces to artists
11:36 HICCUP
thats key
11:36 Mayor Lisa Wong
But I wanted to be in that neighborhood.
11:37 Dan_R
artists are key - I work in a converted mill in Framingham that's full of artist spaces
11:37 Dan_R
but, artists are only PART of an economic revitalization
11:37 Mayor Lisa Wong
We have a beautiful hotel turned luxury lofts downtown. You can buy a 2bedroom for under 190K
11:37 Fuzzburg
Some of the area around the college suffers because the student population that lives there is transient. Not sure how you fix that.
11:37 WestFBG
To the young parents concerned about the schools -we do face problems, but we have some really good pre-K through primary schools - please come and get involved and lets work together. And yes the superintendant is terrific.
11:37 artmama
What about looking at the plans and breaks Providence RI used to attract the artist in it's downtown area. That seems to have made quite a big diffeence in the growth of their city.
11:38 Mayor Lisa Wong
We can look to Cambridge and Boston and Lowell and Amherst for ideas on how to make college students a advantage.
11:38 HICCUP
I really appreciate that you are young and enthusiastic and willing to see potential—I live in a “NICE town on the north shore” but would sell it and move for lower taxes and cheaper work space IFthe community is outdoor oriented and artsy and TOLERANT
11:38 Dan_R
Fitchburg is getting a bit squeezed because of budget problems - even simple things like plowing roads and fixing potholes can be a challenge, and families often say “anywhere but Fitchburg” when looking for a home
11:38 Mayor Lisa Wong
The PreK and Primary schools here are excellent.
11:38 Dan_R
taxes are high for what you get compared to other towns, but there's a TON of potential
11:39 Dan_R
there are some very nice areas
11:39 guest-Rob
Given the Global Scale of business today, what advantages must a business
11:39 Dan_R
route access is another sticking point, though the west end of town is directly on route 2
11:39 architect
resturants and shops are important as well. many of the artisit comminuties in boston are ghost towns after 6 unless there is some night life and activity for others to explore and experience.
11:39 HICCUP
Old working class communities typically can be very repulsive to artsy folk—people feel threatened
11:39 HICCUP
Hire the best architects you can buy!
11:40 Dan_R
if the transient college students are welcomed and worked with, instead of treated adversarially, they'd be more inclined to go downtown
11:40 Mayor Lisa Wong
Access issues can be helped by pubilc transportation and walkable communites that allow people to stay longer, and live and work nearby.
11:40 Dan_R
main street is an issue, though, it's a little barren
11:40 Jason
The MBTA is currently working on upgrades all over the Fitchburg commuter rail line. Transit access times should soon be better than drive times, during peak hours.
11:40 HICCUP
DESIGN is everything—Think of the iphone—it clobbered every other manufacturer–why–DESIGN!
11:40 Lori
Good afternoon Mayor Wong. Congratulations on your new position as mayor as I'm sure you'll do very well. I have a concern I'd like to speak with you on if you have a minute. Thank You. Lori
11:40 Fuzzburg
that's true, but the older working class is aging, and something has to take their place.
11:40 Dan_R
and things that students like - such as clubs, etc, bring their own set of problems
11:40 Mayor Lisa Wong
Design is important. I don't like hereing that “this is better than what was there before”. Let's aim for what is the “best:.
11:41 HICCUP
A well Designed town center will make a huge difference—Start with the best ARCHITECTS available
11:41 Dan_R
a big issue that I see (living in Leominster and watching Fitchburg with affection) is that there's a lot of “NIMBY” and complaining, very litle action
11:41 architect
agree
11:41 Mayor Lisa Wong
We will focus on mixed uses - so that college students, families and the many elderly that live in the downtown hi-rises can co-exist.
11:41 Hal_B
If someone is an artist worth their salt, they'll get along with anyone.
11:41 Dan_R
if you want to see the city revitalized, do something
11:42 guest142129
The commuter rail to Boston is key…the state just appropriated 10 million dollars to update the route to bring the commute from Fitchburg to North Station to 70 minutes.
11:42 Dan_R
community involvment (and I'm not sure how you spur people to do more than just complain)
11:42 HICCUP
That is very true Artists are very tolerant and very nice to evveryone
11:42 Mayor Lisa Wong
Civic engagement is a huge piece of this. Leadership implies that there are those who will follow and then become their own leaders.
11:42 guest-Rob
Given the Global scale of business today, what advantages must business have in today's world, AND can we ever expect business to be on a same scale as they once were?
11:42 guest1001923
when attracting new people to a community how do you keep the community affordable for those who have lived there a long time or grew up there
11:42 Mayor Lisa Wong
I have been focuing on companies that are already globaly competitive.
11:43 Dan_R
Rob, businesses like manufacturing aren't coming back, but ther's a lot of clever people finding ways to make lots of money
11:43 HICCUP
Video Game Companies!
11:43 Dan_R
Micron products is in the heart of downtown Fitchburg and they're doing exceptionally well
11:43 Mayor Lisa Wong
From small WPI grads trying to export to major companies.
11:43 Hal_B
Mayor Wong, would you consider hydroelectric power from upgrades to old mill facilities?
11:43 Mayor Lisa Wong
We are considering all types of power here.
11:44 HICCUP
can you subsidize some fledgling businesses
11:44 HICCUP
?
11:44 Jason
What about alternative energy startups? Is much State money finding its way to Fitchburg for this stuff?
11:44 Hal_B
Did you ever hear of or read of Finneran's defunct proposal? I heard of it on BUR actually.
11:44 Dan_R
The burgeoning immigrant population (one could argue ongoing - just from different home countries) could take more ownership and pride in their city - they have a perception issue to fight, too
11:44 Mayor Lisa Wong
I want to make sure that fledgling businesses have the right resources - technical skills, management, etc.
11:44 Dan_R
There was an initiative to site wind turbines on nearby hills in Fitchburg
11:45 Dan_R
a little contentious, but it's well situated for a wind project that can navigate successfully to approval
11:45 Mayor Lisa Wong
As an economist, we cannot use pubic funds to replace private. Sustainability means innovation and competition.
11:45 Hal_B
Ah yes, Fitchburg the city of — what is it? Seven hills?
11:45 Nancy1
Nancy was bounced out! What are the plans for increased surveillance of commuter rail parking?
11:45 Dan_R
tht's worcester
11:46 Mayor Lisa Wong
Yes, an ordinance was passed last night to allow RESIDENTIAL wind turbines on lots as few as 2 acres
11:46 Hal_B
Fitchburg, too, I think
11:46 Fuzzburg
WInd turbines on Rollstone may make sense. It's got no use currently except for teen partying and homeless camping. I don't know it that's feasible.
11:46 Dan_R
as for downtown's reputation - it's not quite as bad- I used to walk down North and Myrtle streets in the dead of night - 10+ years ago, and that area is WAY better now
11:46 Mayor Lisa Wong
I'll talk with the regional transit authority about better security of the parking.
11:47 guest1001923
is it difficult and expensive to train existing community people those tech or management skills, rather than attracting those who have them
11:47 Dan_R
One thing that I'd like the MBTA to do is a direct train from Fitchburg to Worcester
11:47 Mayor Lisa Wong
You have to do both.
11:47 Dan_R
the only way to get there from here via train is to go into boston to go back out
11:47 Mayor Lisa Wong
I am a big advocate of public transport and trains.
11:47 guest882
Are they possibiities of improvingt the train time to Boston?
11:48 Dan_R
yes, train time to boston will drop soon with upgrades to the rail
11:48 Hal_B
My grandaunt commuted weekdays from Fitchburg to Boston 100 years ago. I take the same line from Littleton in, now. Feels kinda neat doing so.
11:48 Mayor Lisa Wong
I just talked with the rialroad yesterday and they have these vans that ride the rails and the road!
11:48 Mayor Lisa Wong
That might be a quicker way to get service to Worcester.
11:48 Jason
Wow, that's neat.
11:48 Dan_R
and more economical, that's cool! never thought of vans with those rail drives
11:48 Mayor Lisa Wong
We will improve the train time to one hour.
11:48 Fuzzburg
I've seen those, mostly for maintenance I thouhgt
11:49 Hal_B
How many rail lines are there between Worcester and Fitchburg? Anything that follows 2 and 195?
11:49 guest1001923
All the best Mayor Wong, thank you for taking part in this forum. One of the better conversations I've had here.
11:49 Mayor Lisa Wong
We need the state to confirm the transportation bill which has $75 million to update our tracks.
11:49 Dan_R
the Fitchburg commuter rail line runs parallel with Rt.2
11:49 NRWA
The Nashua River Watershed Association is delighted with Lisa Wong's focus on the river as a key component to the revitaliztion of the city.
11:49 Dick K
Congratulations, Mayor Wong. I grew up in Lowell and for severl years I was Planning Director in Lawrence. Ron ANsin is right a city needs a plan but also the energy to stick with the plan for a long time
11:49 Mayor Lisa Wong
Hal- I'll have to look at the rail map.
11:49 Dan_R
nothing goes north south along 190
11:49 Mayor Lisa Wong
Hi Dick.
11:50 Havereal
Mayor Wong, I ljust moved to Haverhill and have some experience with city development in Texas. I am very interested in empowering people and the work you're doing. Is there a way that a non-Fitchburg citizencould be a part of what you're doing?
11:50 Mayor Lisa Wong
YES
11:50 Mayor Lisa Wong
Yes
11:50 guest882
This spring at RISD we are looking at how to build the public realm to maximize public health, activity, recreation and environmentla sustainability. We'd like to invite you down to se what they do.
11:50 Mayor Lisa Wong
YES
11:50 Havereal
How would I do that?
11:50 Hal_B
But isn't a lot of the time delay on the rails from my end in? From 495 to Cambridge? I thought it was track quality and speed restrictions thru Lincoln and Weston
11:50 Mayor Lisa Wong
email me at ————————
11:50 Mayor Lisa Wong
call ————
11:50 Nancy1
driving in from the west on rte 12, i'm struck by the architecturally incredibly beautiful brick buildings that appear to be from the 1800's. any plans to capitalize on this element of fitchburg history?
11:50 Havereal
Will do.
11:51 Mayor Lisa Wong
There needs to be double track built in that area. That is part of the transp. bond bill.
11:51 Dan_R
And following up on Havereal's question, how about those of us who are in the Twin Cities and want to see Fitchburg succeed for the good of the region? How can we walk the walk?
11:51 Mayor Lisa Wong
Yes. I am putting a stop to demolishing our buildings
11:52 Fuzzburg
Good! the great architecture should be part of the appeal of the city
11:52 Hal_B
Mayor Wong, gotta go, congratulations and take care!
11:52 Mayor Lisa Wong
I am seeking a volunteer coordinator just to keep track and work with all the people that want to help. Any ideas on how to move forward?
11:52 Nancy1
those brick buildings are history. it would be great to focus on their charm and history.
11:52 Dan_R
the problem with old buildings is often putting them in code compliance is more expensive than demolishing/rebuilding - there's lots of environmental issues there
11:52 Dan_R
and they're expensive to keep heated in the winter, too
11:52 guest882
The RISD group is called City-State, hte Urban Design Lab at RISD
11:53 Raleigh St. Clair
Speaking of heating, is there anything that can be done about Unitil?
11:53 Mayor Lisa Wong
————————
11:53 Dan_R
a biodiesel generator in your basement
11:53 Mayor Lisa Wong
I'll be on the phone shortly, so email me
11:53 Mayor Lisa Wong
The AG's office is looking at Unitil's current rate increase
11:53 Raleigh St. Clair
Hooray!
11:54 Nancy1
there are ways to keep those buildings. check out other towns, harrisville nh, keene, clinton ma, etc.
11:54 chris
Chris, I have walked in Fitchburg it is a nice town but it needs alot of work, you might have to get the people in the community involved also.
11:54 Dan_R
Keene is a great example
11:54 guest224743
if Unitil's rates are lowered, I will move back to Fitchburg
11:54 Dan_R
the'yve got an exceptionally nice downtown
11:54 Matt L
Keene too!
11:55 Dan_R
fitchburg's schools will do better once the budgetary constraints ease a bit, and that's going to take management and new residents
11:55 Dan_R
real estate in fitchburg is a screaming bargain
11:55 bURG
I THINK THE KEY TO FIXING MILL CITIES IS COLLECTIVE POSITIVE THINKING. NO MORE DOUBTS, NO MORE POINTING FINGERS. EVERYONE MUST JUST KEEP AN EYE ON THE IDEA OF WHAT THEY WANT THEIR CITIES TO LOOK LIKE.
11:55 Fuzzburg
Thanks for taking the time to listen to me, Mayor Wong!
11:55 Dan_R
Deloge Heights isstill under constr.
11:56 Fuzzburg
Good Luck to you and to my hometown!
11:56 Mayor Lisa Wong
It does take a lot of work.
11:56 Mayor Lisa Wong
But we are all working hard.
11:56 Fuzzburg
you are multi-tasking. very impressive!
11:57 Mayor Lisa Wong
I've had a great time chatting with you all.
11:57 Fuzzburg
btw, my wife worksin Fitchburg's planning office
11:57 Fuzzburg
bye
11:57 Mayor Lisa Wong
Please email or call me at ———————— or ————
11:57 guest224743
thank you Lisa!
11:57 guest940561
test
11:57 Dick K
Good luck
11:58 Mayor Lisa Wong
Come to Fitchburg's First Thursday,
11:58 chris
Good luck.
11:58 Mayor Lisa Wong
Check out our martini bar - www.destare.com
11:58 Claudine
Radio Boston chatters! Thanks for all your participaion today. I think Mayor Wong has lots of work to do but if you all want to chat among yourselves for the next few minutes we'll keep the chat up.
11:58 Matt L
great place. nice plug
11:58 Mayor Lisa Wong
I'm usually at Destare on Thursday nights after 9pm.
11:58 Mayor Lisa Wong
I look forward to talking and working with many of you.
11:59 Mayor Lisa Wong
Bye!
11:59 Raleigh St. Clair
Thanks Lisa!
11:59 Matt L
you too thanks
11:59 Fuzzburg
Destare is very nice. Iadmit I thought it was too nice for the Burg at first.
11:59 bURG
thank you BUR for featuring our great city; its about time we get positive coverage discussing the great thigns we have done for ourselves. Thank you.
11:59 guest224743
thank you Radio Boston for coming to Fitchburg and talking about the possibilities here
11:59 Fuzzburg
It's hard to change the way you think about as place, and I love Fitchburg,
12:00 Fuzzburg
Thanks WBUR!
12:08 Ken Jones
Claudine, Dave et al….thanks!!
12:08 claudine
Thanks to you listeners and chatters. Stay tuned for next Friday when we explore the dialects of Massachusetts. Hope you are ready for some chowdah! Join us again here next Friday at 1pm in the chat room and on the air.
This is a greta discussion and we need to keep it going as we figure out how to rebuild these cities. My guess is the more involvement by residents of these cities the better.