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🌱 Why Athol voters rejected town-funded maintenance for private roads
Athol, Massachusetts Patch AM: a 4 min readGood morning Athol! We're back in your inbox this morning to keep you in the loop with what's happening in and around town. Grab a cup of coffee and read on. ☀️
In today's newsletter:
- Why Athol voters rejected town-funded maintenance for private roads
- How a $474M power-line overhaul will reshape Athol’s energy corridor
- Why Athol’s Rotary is sending a local fire truck to Mexico
Also on today's calendar: 10th Annual Vanessa T. Marcotte Foundation 5K Run/Walk and 6 more events.
Today's riddle: What do sweet potatoes wear to bed? 🤔 (Answer below!)
- Friday: A heavy t-storm in the p.m., with a high of 93 and low of 63 degrees. 🌶 Hot!
- Saturday: Mostly sunny and very warm, temps: high: 88, low: 55.
- Sunday: A p.m. t-storm in spots, with a high of 91 and low of 61 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
1. Private road article defeated at Athol Annual Town Meeting (atholdailynews.com) — Athol’s Annual Town Meeting rejected a citizen petition that would have required the town to maintain all asphalt private roads, including King Road, leaving current limited-discretion repairs in place. Officials plan to draft clearer bylaw language by fall, while residents on private roads continue pressing for fair treatment and safer access. 
2. ISO-New England: NH a part of massive National Grid project to upgrade lines in Central Mass. (unionleader.com) — Athol is slated for major electric transmission line upgrades as part of a $474 million National Grid project that will run through several Central and North Quabbin communities. Work on the A1/B2 line, including tower replacements and tree clearing, is expected to start this summer and continue to 2030, with costs spread across all New England ratepayers but no planned power interruptions.
3. Athol-Orange Rotary funds fire truck to Mexican town (wwlp.com) — Athol-Orange Rotary has bought a surplus Phillipston fire engine and is raising money in Athol to equip it before sending it to Ayutla, Mexico, honoring a local restaurant family’s roots. A July 8 taco-buffet fundraiser at a private home will help cover equipment and training costs, while highlighting the positive impact of legal immigration on Athol’s downtown.
4. Palmer named president and CEO of Newspapers of New England (atholdailynews.com) — Athol readers will see their local paper under a familiar leader as Shawn Palmer, already publisher of the Athol Daily News, becomes president and CEO of Newspapers of New England. He’ll oversee multiple New England papers while emphasizing strong local journalism, digital growth, and long-term sustainability for community newsrooms.
📸 Around Athol
Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!
🗓
Upcoming Events in
Athol
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
★ Featured events ★
-
10th Annual Vanessa T. Marcotte Foundation 5K Run/Walk →
Wachusett Mountain Ski Area, 41 Mile Hill Rd, Westminster
9:00 am
Saturday June 20
Want to see your event featured? Click here!
Other local events
-
Music/Chorus Concert
Athol High Athol, MA 01331
6:00 pm -
RCS Field Day!
Athol-Royalston Athol, MA 01331 -
Housing Lottery for Residences at the Park
Athol Public Library 568 Main St, Athol, MA, 01331, US
10:00 am -
Knitting Group
Athol Public Library 568 Main St, Athol, MA, 01331, US
1:00 pm -
Alphabet & Allies: an LGBTQIA+ Tween Group →
Athol Public Library, 568 Main St, Athol
5:00 pm -
Silly Goose Story Time
Athol Public Library 568 Main St, Athol, MA, 01331, US
10:30 am -
Athol Historical Commission meeting
Athol Public Library 568 Main St, Athol, MA, 01331, US
5:45 pm -
Library Trustees Meeting
Athol Public Library 568 Main St, Athol, MA, 01331, US
4:00 pm
Friday June 12
Monday June 15
Tuesday June 16
Wednesday June 17
📣 Athol Shout Outs!
Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!
🗓 Events Nearby
-
Baby & Toddler Time
Athol Public Library 568 Main St, Athol, MA, 01331, US
11:00 am -
Music/Chorus Concert
Athol High Athol, MA 01331
6:00 pm -
RCS Field Day!
Athol-Royalston Athol, MA 01331 -
Housing Lottery for Residences at the Park
Athol Public Library 568 Main St, Athol, MA, 01331, US
10:00 am
Friday June 12
Monday June 15
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
Thank you 👏👏👏 to these businesses for making Athol PatchAM possible:
- Sparkle of Heaven Cleaning Service — (413) 422-0262
Cleaning Services
Click here to show your appreciation! 💚
Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.
💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- Hamra Enterprises - Wendy's posted a job opening for Shift Supervisor in Athol. Apply here.
- Excel Facility Services Group, LLC posted a job opening for Janitor in Athol. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Athol here.
Ok Athol! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!
-- The Patch AM Team
P.S. The answer to today's riddle: Yammies! (Thank you Lynda S. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!
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