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