Millbury Wins $229,293 State Grant to Build Municipal Fiber Network
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts has awarded Millbury a $229,293 Community Compact Fiber Grant to fund a municipal fiber network, the town announced Monday, the largest single piece of news to hit Town Hall this cycle heading into a busy week of board meetings and community events.
**TOWN HALL**
The Community Compact Fiber Grant, awarded through the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, will allow Millbury to build out a municipal fiber network. The town called the award in its News Flash announcement, signaling the project has cleared a key funding hurdle. No timeline for construction was included in the announcement.
Two other reminders are also circulating from Town Hall this week. Dog owners have until July 1 to register their pets and avoid a late fee, the town is urging residents not to wait. And the Millbury Farmers Market makes its return to the Asa Waters Mansion on June 18, promising local wares and live entertainment.
**SCHOOLS**
With the school year winding down, Millbury Public Schools issued two practical reminders for families. The district's Summer Eats Program is up and running, giving families a no-cost meal option through the warmer months, details are available through the ParentSquare app. Separately, the district reminded families that any medications stored in school health offices must be picked up before the year ends.
**COMMUNITY & ARTS**
The Millbury Public Library is gearing up for its biggest community push of the year. Summer Reading kicks off June 22, registration is open now, with separate tracks for children ages 11 and under, teens, and adults. Two special kickoff events follow in quick succession: a Petting Zoo on June 23 for younger readers and a Murder Mystery event on June 24 for teens (both require separate registration). The library's homepage is also spotlighting a media-literacy resource on spotting AI-generated fake news and videos, part of the NewsGuard Academy series. Note that the library will be **closed Friday, June 19**, in observance of Juneteenth. The library's homepage also carries a banner declaring "Victory in the Fight for Federal Funding," though no additional details were posted at press time.
**ELSEWHERE IN THE NEWS**
No new coverage of Millbury from Patch, MetroWest Daily News, or The Boston Globe in this cycle.
**COMING UP**
- **Tue., June 16**, Dog Park Committee meeting, Town Hall - **Wed., June 17**, Council on Aging meeting; Millbury Housing Authority meeting; Board of Health meeting - **Wed., June 18**, Farmers Market opens at the Asa Waters Mansion, live entertainment included - **Fri., June 19**, Millbury Public Library **closed** for Juneteenth - **Sun., June 22**, Summer Reading program begins at the library; registration open now - **Tue., June 23**, Summer Reading Kickoff: Petting Zoo (ages 0–11), library; separate registration required - **Wed., June 24**, Summer Reading Kickoff: Murder Mystery (teens), library; separate registration required