Worcester is expanding its winter‑season shelter capacity as the city prepares for colder weather. On Dec. 1, the South Middlesex Opportunity Council (SMOC) will open 81 additional shelter beds, funded by an $860,535 grant from the state’s Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (EOHLC). The beds will be available through April 30, 2027, providing space for 101 people across Worcester and nearby Leominster.
According to This Week in Worcester, the grant covers 49 beds for men on the second floor of SMOC’s Queen Street shelter and 32 beds at the agency’s women’s shelter on Chandler Street. SMOC will also use part of the funding to open 10 more rooms for 20 people at the former Days Inn on Main Street in Leominster. City Manager Eric D. Batista praised the partnership, saying the funding is “critical to helping ensure people are not outside in the elements during our cold winter nights.”
In a separate effort to improve everyday services, the city has rolled out new 22‑gallon recycling containers with vented covers to every residence. Residents who need a new, additional, or replacement bin can pick them up free of charge at three locations: City Hall’s Welcome Desk (455 Main St., 1st floor, Mon‑Fri 9 a.m.–4 p.m., closed 12 p.m.–12:30 p.m.), the Department of Public Works desk (20 East Worcester St., 2nd floor, same hours), and the Residential Drop‑Off Center (1065 Millbury St., Mon‑Fri 9 a.m.–3 p.m., closed 12 p.m.–12:30 p.m.). Additional containers are $12 each, and proof of residency is required.
Federal officials have also taken action on a health‑related matter affecting Massachusetts consumers. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts, led by Rachel Rollins, filed a complaint seeking a permanent injunction against Daniel Marold of West Boylston. Marold’s website markets a multi‑flavored beverage called Chill6, claiming it “cures, treats, mitigates and prevents anxiety, insomnia, stress, alcoholism and post‑traumatic stress disorder, among other conditions.” The complaint alleges the product contains Phenibut HCL, a food additive not approved for use in the United States, and that Marold continued sales after a warning letter from the FDA in July 2021.
What’s next? The expanded shelter beds will remain open through April 30, 2027, giving the city flexibility to address any surge in need. Residents can obtain new recycling bins immediately at the listed locations, with free replacements for new households. The federal case against the Chill6 supplement is ongoing, and the court’s decision will determine whether Marold must cease sales and comply with food‑safety regulations before offering any future products.
Sources: thisweekinworcester.com, thisweekinworcester.com, thisweekinworcester.com
