Fitchburg is located in Northern Worcester County, bordered by Westminster, Ashby, Lunenburg, and Leominster. Fitchburg is 46 miles northwest of Boston. Despite having over 41,000 residents, Fitchburg is a community that retains a small-town feel, evidenced by old mills that line the Nashua River, hilly topography, regional parks, and tightly-knit neighborhood enclaves that, in many cases, still retain their ethnic identity. Today, the former reliance on the paper industry has given way to a healthier economic diversification which includes pharmaceuticals, tool and die makers, machine manufacturers, plastic molders and textile producers.
Among the City's assets are Fitchburg Art Museum, Fitchburg State University, Boulder Art Gallery, and Stratton Players. In July, Fitchburg celebrates Civic Days, filling the streets with family activities, cultural foods and music, dancing, games, and concludes with a fireworks display that can be seen for miles.
Highway access to Fitchburg is via Route 2, the old Mohawk Trail, which runs across northern MA. Fitchburg has two Commuter Rail Stations providing access to Boston/North Station. Fitchburg Station is located in the heart of downtown and in close proximity to Fitchburg State University, and Wachusett Station is located at Routes 2 and 31. Fitchburg has a public transportation system that links the region, provided by the Montachusett Regional Transit Authority. Fitchburg even has its own municipal airport!
The City functions under a Mayor-City Council form of government, with eleven City Councilors representing both wards and at-large constituents. The City Council is the legislative and policy-making branch of the City government, and the Mayor is the Chief Executive Officer charged with day-to-day operations.
