ATHOL — Anne Willhite, owner of the Deja Vu women’s consignment shop at 479 Main St., was spotted sweeping up the area near her storefront recently, something she does on a regular basis.
But she has an extra incentive to beautify the area this week, as the monthly First Friday event is expected to lure visitors from out of town.
Athol closes Main Street from Exchange Street to Island Street for four hours to give free space to clubs, vendors, musicians and businesses. It allows pedestrians to meander along the section without worrying about traffic.
A longtime member of the Downtown Vitality Committee, Willhite is committed to its mission. The committee is charged with the revitalization of Athol’s downtown area as an appealing and vivacious focal point for residents and visitors. Members previously had commented on the amount of litter that collects along Main Street, especially downtown, and expressed concern about the streets’ condition for the monthly First Friday festivals, launched in May.
Assistant Highway Superintendent Richard Kilhart confirmed Thursday the department will have the street sweepers out prior to the event, which takes place downtown during from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. Kilhart said it is something the department hopes to achieve each month.
Town Manager Shaun Suhoski said the DVC board now has a full complement of members, with four regular members and four associate members.
Members include volunteer residents, business owners, and community leaders. At its May meeting, the board discussed the clearing and care of the gardens in the municipal parking lot, and divvied up tasks such as watering and trash collection.