ATHOL — The carnival is coming to town, but not without some worry by town officials.
Typically, organizers have to deal with rain, but officials are concerned this year that the town may have to worry about more than getting wet.
Selectmen acknowledged Mark Fanelli’s Traveling Amusement Park based in Rindge, N.H., is a “good fundraiser” for the local Disabled American Veterans (DAV) chapter on River Rat weekend, but said “it’s the bane of our existence, for the most part.”
The company has been in operation in New Hampshire, Massachusetts and other New England venues since 1956.
However, Selectwoman Rebecca Bialecki raised concerns about the carnival, but echoed it is a good fundraiser for the DAV.
Tuesday was the last selectmen’s meeting before the event and Bialecki said, “We don’t have a permit before us to approve. I’m concerned about the way it’s gone in the process.”
She said the carnival is set up in “a particularly dark part of town” and that “every year there are incidents which really tax our law enforcement system.” She suggested working with the DAV on some other location or some other vendor to provide the carnival, “because this one is always a problem for us. Last year three different overdose incidents were connected with the carnival.”
Fire Chief John Duguay said the permit was issued through the building department. He said the rides are set up on the Wednesday prior to the race and “the state inspectors go through it with a fine-tooth comb.” He said Athol’s building department, fire department and electrical inspectors also make inspections the day the rides are set up.
Bialecki said safety of the rides is not the issue.
“It’s a big event,” she said. “They bring in a lot of people from out of our area to work the event. It happens after dark — it’s just a safety concern in every way, except the safety of the rides.”
Town Manager Shaun Suhoski said he would look into it.
Athol Police Chief Russell Kleber said he, too, has some concerns that “some of the workers will get involved with things after hours that are troublesome. I do have concerns.” He intends to have a meeting with the carnival organizer prior to River Rat weekend.
Athol Health Agent Deborah Vondal, RS said Wednesday Fanelli pulls temporary food permits for the weekend and each unit is inspected prior to opening. She said there have been no problems in the past, and any minor issues noted are fixed right away.
“All the food vendors have ServSafe certification and Allergy Awareness training,” said Vondal, who has inspected the vendors over the last seven years. “We do a pre-inspection to make sure everything is clean and in order, and also observe the units while they are in operation.”
Lee Chauvette said the permit always starts with the selectmen, then goes to the building department.
“We didn’t see it this year” he said, and added that process “needs to be tightened up.”
Duguay said he signed a routing sheet three weeks ago.
Mark Fanelli’s brother Jack operates the family’s business, Fanelli Amusements, established in 1956 by John Fanelli. According to their website, the brothers continue to work together on various projects.
Paul Dubey of Athol, adjutant of the Charles Musante Chapter 46 of the Disabled American Veterans in Athol and the senior vice commander DAV of Massachusetts said proceeds from the carnival help keep the DAV home of Athol in operation.
The “clubhouse” as he calls it, at 47 Pine St., was established four years after World War II ended and serves the DAV (Disabled American Veterans), AMVETS (American Veterans of World War II, Korea, and Vietnam) and the VFW (Veterans of Foreign Wars) groups. Constructed on the foundation of an old Jewish synagogue by Athol veterans themselves, including some who were disabled, the building has been used for meetings, functions and parties for family and friends of members since.
“Some of the founding fathers are still around,” said Dubey.
Ten years ago accessible bathrooms and a wheelchair ramp were added. He said proceeds from the River Rat weekend carnival have been received for 40 years. The race is celebrating its 55th year next week.
“The money takes care of the building the vets use,” he said. “The upkeep, the heat and electricity. It gets us from one year to the next.”
The building is a two-story structure, and for a few years the upstairs was rented to the Head Start program.
“Their rent covered the electricity,” said Dubey. “After they left, we decided not to rent it out again.”
Dubey, who will be sworn in as the DAV Commander of Massachusetts at a ceremony June 2 at the Doubletree in Leominster, noted there are 140 members of the Athol DAV chapter.
“Six to 12 attend meetings,” he said, and some are retired and in Florida. “Our Chapter is renowned. Member Alan Bowers is a past DAV National Commander.”
At last count, there are 28,000 DAV members in Massachusetts.
“There are another 30,000 disabled veterans who are not members,” said Dubey, adding that there are more than 300,000 veterans in Massachusetts.
Calls to Mark Fanelli for additional information were not returned prior to press time.