ATHOL — Town Manager Shaun A. Suhoski says it’s not often top policymakers come to Athol to see developments that state money has enabled.
But that was the case on Thursday, when Chrystal Kornegay, the state undersecretary of housing and community development, visited for a meeting with local officials at Athol Public Library and a shuttle bus tour around town.
Suhoski said Athol is preparing a Community Development Block Grant application and he wanted Kornegay to see how previous grant money has been applied. He said he invited Kornegay after meeting her at an event last year and was stunned when she accepted. Kornegay said she works on Cambridge Street in Boston but is often on the road to see the communities she serves.
“In the administration’s travels, we hear a lot of about this housing issue, particularly in north central Mass(achusetts),” she told local officials after a light lunch following the tour. “So, part of why I’m out here is to get a better feel for that.”
The meeting consisted of Kornegay, Suhoski, Economic Development Industrial Corporation member Jim Meehan, Athol Planning and Development Director Eric R. Smith, CDBG consultant Linda Overing, North Quabbin Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Mark Wright and Tourism Director Mia Haringstad, and North Quabbin Executive Director Heather Bialecki-Canning, though Bialecki-Canning had to leave before the tour.
Lasting less than an hour, the tour started through some neighborhoods that have benefitted from CDBG grants, such as the work and new fire hydrant on Highland Street. The Montachusett Area Regional Transit shuttle bus passed by the L.S. Starrett Company, which Wright said is one of the region’s largest employers, with 600 employees.
The tour also took Liberty Street to High Street and passed by Upper Common on its way down Main Street Extension, which Smith said could be redone (with a sidewalk) with new grant money. The shuttle bus then brought everyone around Lord Pond Plaza, which contains the chamber of commerce, before returning to the library.
After lunch, Meehan told Kornegay there is talk in Athol of starting a new community development corporation. Kornegay said she understand the desire, but expressed concerns over the durability of a CDC or any organization.
“The instinct, I get. But is there some other organizational kind of way to get to the outcome?” she said. “Because, in my experience, the kind of work you’re talking about doing is not really going to generate enough revenue to sustain an organization.”
Meehan said Athol once had a CDC, but it failed.
He also told Kornegay Athol’s population is 11,600. He said the same was true in 1919 – the only difference being the population was growing by roughly 1,000 each year.
“(Athol) was an industrial center,” he said. “Unfortunately, a lot of businesses went away.”
Walking upstairs to explore the library, Kornegay said she enjoyed her trip to Athol.
“I think it’s great. I’m having a good time going around and seeing things. I love meeting people, hearing their stories,” she said. “I’m really trying to figure out the specialness of places and how we can target our support. … The governor always talks about (how) we recognize that one size doesn’t fit all.”
Before boarding the shuttle bus, Kornegay was introduced to Athol Selectman Anthony Brighenti, who coincidentally stopped by the library.
“I hope you enjoy Athol,” he told her. “It’s a town on the move … in the right direction.”