HAMPSHIRE COUNTY
JUNE 25, 2026 | FREE
Petitioners trigger override vote recount
By Trent Levakis tlevakis@thereminder.com
EASTHAMPTON — The city will officially hold a recount of votes from the June 9 special election override after petitioners collected enough signatures to trigger such a situation.
The Board of Registrars is set to meet sometime during the week of June 22 to set a date for the recount. As of press time, a meeting date for the registrars had not yet been set.
The $6.9 million Proposition 2½ override passed through a 3,312-3,073 vote, but days after the special city election, claims of issues with the distribution, handling, and processing of mail-in ballots for said election have been made. A formal effort to trigger a recount was successful after petitioners collected at least 10 signatures from registered voters in each of the city’s five precincts. These signatures were submitted on June 17 and were certified the following day by the City Clerk’s office.
Leading this effort are members of the Easthampton Republican Committee and Easthampton Active Citizens, who requested a hand count of all ballots cast in an effort to ensure transparency after claims were made that various residents received empty mail-in ballots that were missing the ballot itself or didn’t receive any at all leading up to election day.
Republican Committee Chair Cathy Wauczinski, who also co-founded Easthampton Ac-
tive Citizens, led the “Vote No” Campaign and spearheaded the effort to collect the signatures that triggered the recount.
Wauczinski told Reminder Publishing that the organizations want a recount to make sure the voting process is fundamentally sound and for transparency in the election process after hearing these claims were made.
“I think the biggest reason for the recount is the fact that there are people who are eligi-
ble voters who did not get an opportunity to vote. These individuals raised a concern with me, saying ‘I have no idea if my vote was counted or not,’” said Wauczinski. “Was anybody denied the opportunity to vote?”
She said that she believes the mistake of empty mail-in ballots comes from human error, but she added that if people did not get an opportunity to vote because of human error, then the results of the election could be invalid.
EASTHAMPTON Council approves two tax relief orders The City Council passed orders to help alleviate tax burdens.
“The reality is there’s probably going to be some ‘yes’ votes from the people who didn’t get a chance to vote with those mail-in ballots not being present, but everybody should have the opportunity to vote if they wanted to, regardless of whether the nos or the yeses win in the end. If there’s a problem with the process and people didn’t get an opportunity to cast their votes, then that needs
Voters lined up outside of City Hall and the polls at Easthampton High School to express support both ways for the city’s special election override vote, which ended up passing by a 3,312-3,073 vote. Reminder Publishing file photo
Nye named new Northampton veterans’ services director
By Trent Levakis tlevakis@thereminder.com
NORTHAMPTON — Mayor Gina-Louise Sciarra has appointed Daniel Nye as the next director of Central Hampshire Veterans’ Services after the previous director, Steve Connor, announced his retirement after 22 years in the position.
“I am excited to promote Daniel Nye to the level of director to fill this essential role in city operations,” said Sciarra in a statement on the announcement. “Dan has four years of municipal experience supporting the communities and veterans of the Central Hampshire Veterans’ Services District. With an additional 18 years of military leadership, Dan is the right person to step into this role.”
Nye has worked as a veterans’ service officer in Northampton since 2022 and has been an officer in the U.S. Army Reserve and Army National Guard since 2008, serving in Afghanistan from 2011 to 2012. He is a Massachusetts and Nationally Accredited Veterans’ Service Officer, a Massachusetts Certified Veterans Mediator, and a vice president of the Western Massachusetts Veterans’ Service Officers Association.
Nye has his Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Massachusetts Amherst and is in the process of completing his Master of Arts from the American Military University. He grew up in Chesterfield and Williamsburg and currently lives in Williamsburg with his wife and two children. Nye is actively involved in town life within his community, having served in numerous volunteer roles focused on historic preservation and strengthening the community. He has also served as a Cub Scout den leader, supporting his children’s scouting activities and mentoring local youth.
“As a fourth-generation Army veteran and lifelong Hampshire County resident, it is a great
honor to have been appointed as the next director of Veterans’ Services,” said Nye. “I’ve been truly fortunate to have served four years under Steve Connor’s leadership and mentorship and look forward to the opportunity to continue serving the veterans of the district in this new role.”
Nye told Reminder Publishing that, before joining as an officer with Veterans’ Services, he was a volunteer on the Williamsburg Veterans Memorial Committee. He said his time there and with Northampton’s department has prepared him for this next step as director.
The Department of Veterans’ Services’ mission is to aid, support and advocate for veterans and/or their dependents in obtaining benefits from federal, state and local programs. The department provides outreach, counseling, medical, employment and other support services. The department serves 14 communities in the Central Hampshire Veterans Services District: Northampton, Amherst, Pelham, Hadley, Williamsburg, Chesterfield, Goshen, Cummington, Worthington, Chester, Huntington, Middlefield, Hatfield and Granby.
Nye said living in Hampshire County for the majority of his life had made a big difference when it comes to working with and serving the area’s veterans.
“I grew up surrounded by veterans, both in my family and in those communities. Especially World War II, Korea, Vietnam era, the majority of the men in my family had served, and so I think the reality is I grew up around these guys in these places, legions and VFWs, and the community in general, and so while I’d be happy to serve veterans everywhere, I think there’s a really great aspect of it for me to be able to do that within the communities that I know and am part of,” Nye explained. “The ability to talk about shared local things, I think it goes a long way, not just
as being a veteran and the comfort that that brings for them, but just knowing that it’s somebody from here, I really do think makes a big difference for a lot of folks.”
Nye said that working under Connor over the last four years also helped him see the effort it takes to connect with the community. He shared that he hopes to not only meet the standard set but, continue to grow services from the department for area veterans.
“When you say veterans’ services in this area, people pretty much automatically connect to Steve. He’s been doing it for over two decades, is super networked in the communities, so obviously huge shoes to fill in that sense, but it’s been great working with him and working for him, because the reality is that he built a culture of collaboration here,” said Nye. “It’s a very people-first organization. We’re really here to help veterans and their families navigate what can be these immense bureaucracies that don’t always make it easy and more often than not make it very difficult to access the benefits just by the nature of being big bureaucracies, and so the focus here under Steve and very much what I liked about it, was just the focus on people and doing what we can.”
Nye added, “We may not know the answer, or we may not be able to help you with this, but we’re going to make sure that you connect with an actual person who can help you with that thing. I think that’s the biggest legacy there, that attitude and culture that he brought to it, and that’s certainly something I’ve done my very best to pick up on and run with.”
The biggest priority for Nye as he steps into the role is to continue to work off the framework that Connor has helped establish for the department, and also expand efforts of outreach and make local veterans aware of what the department can offer. According to Nye, the constant struggle seen
in the work is finding new ways of connecting with area veterans to talk about the department’s existence and how the department can help them acquire entitled benefits.
“I think the biggest priority for me is to just keep building those inroads and connecting with people in those communities, because ultimately, that’s how we get more people through the door. That’s really the big focus, continuing to build those relationships and build up the network, because ultimately that’s how you’re going to get people in and that’s how you’re going to take care of people,” Nye said. “Even
as a veteran myself, before I did this job and became aware of all these different things, there’s so much information out there ... It seems to be the thing that we are all challenged by is just letting people know and really making it common knowledge that we’re the landing pad you want when you want to start trying to figure out, whether it’s a state benefit or federal benefit.”
As of press time, Nye’s appointment to the City Council for confirmation is scheduled to take place during its June 18 meeting. If confirmed, Nye will formally take control of the Department of Veterans’ Services immediately.
Daniel Nye was appointed by Mayor Gina-Louise Sciarra as the next director of veterans’ services following the retirement of Steve Connor after 22 years in the role.
Photo credit: Daniel Nye, Central Hampshire Veterans’ Services
2026 Hello Summer More Than Bikes Around Town
By Tina Lesniak Correspondent
For many residents of the Pioneer Valley, ValleyBike is a familiar sight: rows of bright bicycles parked and waiting for their next rider. But for the people behind the system, ValleyBike represents something larger than a ride across town. It is part of a long-term effort to expand transportation options, reduce dependence on cars and connect communities throughout Hampshire and Hampden counties.
“ValleyBike Share solves several problems for the area’s residents, but primarily, we are proud to be an accessible, affordable, and convenient transportation option for the Pioneer Valley community,” said Liat Perlman, specialist for community and partner engagement for Drop Mobility, the company that operates the system.
ValleyBike’s electric pedal-assist bicycles serve residents, workers, students and visitors throughout the region. The goal, Perlman said, is to provide an alternative transportation option for people who may not own a vehicle, want to reduce their environmental impact or simply want a more active way to travel.
“We aim to be an alternative and active
Submitted
transportation option for those who may not have a car, want to reduce their carbon footprint, or want to add some fun activity to their daily commute,” Perlman said.
ValleyBike operates across a network of smaller municipalities and college campuses spread throughout the Pioneer Valley. Despite the different geography, usage patterns remain surprisingly consistent.
“Bikeshare provides transportation regardless of the geography,” Perlman said. “The average trip length is around 1.5 miles, and almost all trips end in a different location from where they started, indicating real transportation.”
In the Pioneer Valley, riders also have the ability to travel between municipalities, something that distinguishes the system from many urban bike-share networks.
Since relaunching in 2024 under Drop Mobility’s management, ValleyBike has recorded more than 60,000 rides and served over 12,000 unique users. More than 1,300 riders have purchased equity memberships, which cost just $4 per month for income-qualified residents.
See ValleyBike Share on page 3
ValleyBike bicycles await riders near Springfield’s Forest Park Middle School.
ValleyBike Share
Continued from page 1
Perhaps more telling, she added, is the fact that ridership continues throughout the year.
“As the system operates yearround, we see riders taking advantage of ValleyBike even on the coldest days, indicating that residents in the area truly rely on the system for daily transportation,” Perlman said.
The system’s impact is particularly visible in Springfield, where ValleyBike has become another transportation option for residents navigating the city’s neighborhoods.
Andrew Strniste, Springfield’s director of community planning, said the network has created opportunities for residents who may not own a vehicle or have reliable access to public transportation.
“ValleyBike has opened opportunities for Springfield residents who may not own a car or have reliable public transit by allowing users to move throughout the western part of the city through the various neighborhoods, from Sumner Avenue in Forest Park to Baystate Medical in the North End to AIC in Mason Square,” Strniste said.
With approximately 20 stations throughout Springfield, the system provides another way for residents to travel within the city.
“One notable observation is that one of the stations that is in high demand is Union Station, both as a beginning destination and ending destination,” he said. “This reinforces the idea that Union Station is serving as a successful multi-modal transportation destination in the city.”
Other heavily used stations include those near the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame, Mill Street and Belmont Avenue, and Mercy Hospital. According to Strniste, the popularity of those locations suggests the bike share system is helping residents
access jobs, services and attractions throughout Springfield.
“The new bikes that are being used in Springfield are lighter, more modern, pedal-assist e-bikes, which makes for a smoother and easier ride for the user,” he said. “We hope these equipment upgrades, combined with surrounding communities continuing to grow the network, will allow users of the bike share program to move more easily in and out of Springfield and throughout the region.”
Still, creating a truly car-light lifestyle in Western Massachusetts remains a challenge.
Perlman pointed to several obstacles, including long distances between communities, inconsistent bicycle infrastructure, limited public transit options and the region’s weather.
“Some of the challenges this region faces in terms of car-light living include weather, additional bike parking needs around apartment complexes, distance between towns, gaps of public transportation in the Hilltowns, inconsistent biking infrastructure between municipalities, and insufficient bus routes,” Perlman said.
The system’s continued growth has depended on partnerships
among municipalities, colleges and regional organizations.
“Partnerships from all participating municipalities have been crucial to the success and expansion of the ValleyBike Share system, as well as with universities in the area, such as UMass Amherst,” Perlman said.
Recent grant funding has also provided a major boost. ValleyBike received a $1.5 million grant from the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center to expand access for equity members and support operations. Another $1.5 million grant from the Massachusetts Department of Transportation will fund additional electric bicycles and help cover operating expenses.
Looking ahead, ValleyBike leaders envision both deeper service within existing communities and expansion into new ones.
“In the short term, our vision is to increase the number of stations within the existing communities and expand the number of equity pass users,” Perlman said. “Our long-term vision is to launch into new adjacent communities and install more stations, making the system even more useful for daily commuting and recreation.”
For Drop Mobility Chief Operating Officer Dipesh Dar, the mission
extends beyond transportation itself.
“Programs like ValleyBike are about more than just transportation; they’re about creating more connected, accessible, and vibrant communities,” Dar said. “We’re excited to expand this system and con-
tinue to provide the Pioneer Valley community with a sustainable way to move around the region.”
Summer Concert schedule
Agawam
SummerFest
All shows will take place on Wednesday nights at 7 p.m. at School Street Park. In the event of inclement weather, the show may be canceled. *National Night Out on Friday night. Call The Parks and Recreation Department at 821-0513 after 2 p.m. the day of the show for more info about cancellations.
July 1 — Cobblestone Road
July 8 — Ultimatum
July 15 — Project 267
July 22 — Jukebox Heroz
*July 24 — National Night Out, 6-8 p.m. — Movie in the Park at 8:30 p.m.
July 29 — Benny & The Jets
Aug. 6 — Retro Floyd
Aug. 12 — Kix 100.9 Country Show
Aug. 19 — General Gist (6 p.m.)
Easthampton
Arts in the Park Series
There will be music at Nonotuck Park, 1 Dailey Field Rd. on Friday
evenings in July and August. The Easthampton Parks and Recreation Department presents a series of six free summer concerts beginning at 6:30 p.m.
July 10 — Hard Knox
July 17 — Jimmy Mazz
July 24 — Colony Motel
July 31 — Heritage
Pops Orchestra
Aug. 14 — Soiree of Western Mass
Aug. 21 — Soular Eclipse
Northampton
Florence Summer Concert
Series
The 2026 Florence Free Summer Concert Series will take place every Thursday at 6:30 p.m. at the Florence Civic Center and will feature a different food truck each week. Bring your lawn chair.
June 25 — Lisa Bastoni
July 2 — Expandable Brass Band
July 9 — Miss Paula and the Twangbusters
July 16 — Tony Silva Fierst Rumbera
July 23 — The Moon Shells
July 30 — Sweet Daddy Cool Breeze
Aug. 6 — The Pangeans
Aug. 13 — Ozzie’s Basement
Aug. 20 — Frank Manzi
Aug. 27 — Zinka
Sept. 3 — Christa Joy & The Honey Bees
Sept. 10 — Gaslight Tinkers
Bands on Brewster
Concerts Thursday nights, 6-8 p.m. in the plaza between the E. J. Gare Parking Garage and Northampton Brewery
July 9 — Hot Dirt + Goldsetter
July 16 — King Radio, Simple Friend & More
July 23 — Floyd Mercantile: featuring Peter Mulvey and Jenna Nichols
July 30 — Stoner Will and the Narcs + Original Cowards
Aug. 6 — The Fawns
+Gentle Hen
Aug. 13 — Inde
Aug. 20 — Christa Joy and the Honeybees
Aug. 27 — To be announced The performances are weather dependent, however, if the weather is questionable, the public will be informed by 10 a.m. on the day of the show through @nohoarts on Instagram.
Salsa in the Plaza
Monday nights from 7-9 p.m. through Aug. 31 at EJ Garge Plaza.
Salsa in the Park
The public is invited to particpate in free dance evenings at Pulaski Park from 6-8 p.m. on Aug. 1, Aug. 28 and Sept. 5. For more info visitnorthamptonartscouncil.org.
South Hadley
Village Commons Summer Concert Series
Free concerts at the Town Common, Thursdays from 6:30-8 p.m. Rain date is the following Sunday.
July 2 — Sound Bridges
July 9 — The Berkshires
July 16 — The Willies
July 23 — Blue Devil
Bluez ‘rocknsoul”
July 30 — Union Jack British Invasion Band
Aug. 6 — Cotonwood
Aug. 13 — Midlife Crisis Band
Aug. 20 — Jimmy Mazz
Aug. 27 — Berkshire Hills
Music Academy
Buttery Brook Summer Concert Series
Friday night concerts at the Bandshell in Buttery Brook Park, 123 Willamansett St. Concerts begin at 5 p.m. Food and beverages available; no outside alcohol. No dogs per park rules. For more info, visit facebook.com/butterybrookpark.
June 26 — Mid-Life Crisis
July 10 — Next J. E. N. Band
July 17 — King Kountry
July 24 — Cottonwood
July 31 — Lindsey LaBell
Aug. 7 — Blue Devil Bluez
Aug. 14 — Acousticca
Aug. 21 — Dr. C and the Feel Goods
Aug. 28 — The Berkshires
Sept. 4 — Moos & the High Tops
Sept. 11 — Full Circle
Springfield
Forest Park Summer Concert Series
Free Thursday night concerts in the Forest Park Amphitheater. All concerts begin at 6:30 p.m. Attendees can enter Forest Park through the Sumner Avenue or the Route 5 entrances for free after 5 p.m. In case of rain, concerts will be moved to the Carriage House tent.
July 9 — Dee Reilly (Carriage House)
July 30 — Petty Larceny Band
Aug. 6 — Skynard Hatchet
Aug. 13 — Zac N Freid
Aug. 20 — Jake Manzi Band
Aug. 27 — Unforgettable Fire
Sept. 3 — Bennie and the Jets
Sept. 11 — Floyd Patterson Band
MGM Free Music Fridays
Live outdoor music at the MGM Springfield Plaza every Friday through Oct 23, from 7:30-9 p.m. Plaza opens at 6 p.m. Beverages at the casino’s two outdoor bars or White Lion Brewery’s outpost, food at an on-site restaurant or one of the weekly local food trucks.
June 25 — Billy and the Jets
July 3 — Heartlands
July 10 — Blizzard of OZ
July 17 — Simply the Bess
July 24 — Malado
July 31 — Raquel & Su
Aug. 7 — Back in Black
Aug. 14 — The Warped Band
Aug. 21— Below Deck
Aug. 28 — E Street Shuffle
Sept. 4 — Moondance
Sept. 11 — Aquanett
Oct. 9 — Cathedral
Oct. 16 — Dookie
Oct. 23 — Johhny Six Gun
The Landing Summer Concert Series
Located adjacent to the Springfield Convention Center Carpark and MassMutual Center, every Thursday from 4:30-6:30 p.m. Food trucks, drinks and lawn games.
July 2 — Carol Devine & The Mighty Fine
July 9 — Jarreau Pitts
July 16 — Now That’s ‘90s
July 23 — La Era Del Mambo
July 30 — Trailer Trash
Aug. 6 — Tafari
Aug. 13 — Brass Attack
Aug. 20 — Whiskey Traveler
Aug. 27 — Deep River Ramblers
West Springfield Summer Concert Series
Concerts will take place on Thursdays from 7-8:30 p.m. at the Morgan Road Pavilion, unless noted. Beverages and food will be available for cash-only purchase.
June 25 — Chalk Dust
July 2 — Union Jack
July 4 — Family Fun The Next JEN Band — Town Common 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
July 9 — Ethel Lee Ensemble — Storrowton Gazebo
July 16 — Dan Kane and Friends -Storrowton Gazebo
July 23 — Richie Mitnick and Friends — Storrowton Gazebo
July 30 — Sarah The Fiddler — Storrowton Gazebo
Aug. 6— Santucci Jazz Quintet
Aug. 13 — Just Go with It
Aug. 20 — David O & the Tone Monsters
Aug. 27— Bad News Jazz and Blues
Sept. 3 — West Side Mike
Sept. 10 — Soular Bears
Sept. 17 — 91 South
Westfield
Stanley Park Sunday Concert Series
Free Sunday night concerts from 6-8 p.m. in the Beveridge Pavilion, accessible by gates 2.3 and 4.Food service provided by The Bubble Mug Café at Pottery Cellar beginning at 5 p.m. Chairs will be available; suggested $5 donation; inclement weather: check the Stanley Park Facebook page or the park website at stanleypark.org.
June 28 — Studio Two
July 12 — Cobblestone Road
July 19 — Sarah the Fiddler: Old time and Irish favorites
July 26 — The Savage Brothers Aug. 2 — The 413s Aug. 16 — The Yacht Rock Band
Westhampton
Field of Dreams Concerts
Friday night concerts begin at 6 p.m., bring your own lawn chair. In case of inclement weather, concerts will take place in the Town Hall.
July 10 — Zyedco Connection
July 24 — Little House Blues Aug. 7 — The O-Tones Aug. 21 — The Gaslight Tinkers
For a complete list of area concerts, visit thereminder.com. Compiled by Debbie Gardner
EASTHAMPTON
Council approves two tax relief orders
By Ryan Feyre rfeyre@thereminder.com
EASTHAMPTON — A little over a week after Easthampton voters decided to adopt a $6.9 million override, the City Council passed two action items that aim to alleviate some of the burdens Easthampton residents face when property taxes eventually rise.
During its June 17 meeting, the council established a “Neighbor in Need” fund by adopting Massachusetts General Law Chapter 60 Section 3D. According to Dan Zdonek, the chair of the Board of Assessors, the state statute allows taxpayers in the city the option to donate a dollar or more on their tax bill to a property tax fund. Once that fund reaches a specific threshold, the city’s most vulnerable residents could apply for the chance to offset the cost of their tax bills by using the money from that fund.
Zdonek said that a committee consisting of him, the city’s treasurer, and three residents appointed by the mayor and approved by the council, will review applications and determine which residents qualify for this relief.
“The amount would be taken out of the cash that we have in hand in the account, and it would go as a payment on [residents’] actual tax bills,” Zdonek said of the fund, which was first presented by Mayor Salem Derby and approved by the council in a unanimous vote.
“Hopefully, this is an opportunity to help some individuals navigate the financial situation they may find themselves in,” City Council President Koni Denham said.
The other order that passed, which yielded a lengthier discussion amongst councilors, is a statewide program that allows certain senior homeowners the ability to defer all or part of their taxes up to half the total value of their home until the homeowner sells their home or passes away.
To be eligible for this program, seniors must reach certain requirements as of July 1. A key part of this vote is the council decided to raise the income eligibility limit for seniors to qualify from $30,000 to the current circuit breaker tax credit limit, which is $75,000 for a single in-
dividual who is not the head of a household, $94,000 for a head of household and $112,000 for married couples filing a joint return.
According to Zdonek, the income eligibility limit factors in gross receipts, not just taxable income. When the house of a senior under this program is sold or the senior passes, the payment of the deferred taxes and accrued interest would be due unless a surviving spouse continues to defer. The current interest rate in Easthampton is set at 4%, according to councilors.
Easthampton is the first municipality in the state to raise the program’s income limits that high, according to councilors, and these changes along with the program itself will be implemented on July 1 when FY27 begins.
“The idea is that there’d be some potential value in this,” said Precinct 3 City Councilor Thomas Peake, chair of the Finance Committee, which spoke about this issue before the council meeting. “In the case of some individuals who have very little income but have a good deal of value in their house depending on their specific situation.”
Precinct City Councilor Amanda Newton reminded the council that the approved override will increase property taxes by $1,200 to the average Easthampton home — which is valued at $418,000 — in FY27. She argued that by raising the income limit, a broader range of seniors can be eligible to defer their taxes.
“There are a lot of people out there who are probably having income around the $75,000, but expenses are so high right now and they’re probably getting by,” Newton said. “But to add another $1,200 onto their plate, I think is going to be really difficult for a lot of those people and especially seniors who have huge medication bills.”
Before the council meeting, the Finance Committee discussed raising the income limit to $60,000. Peake was initially nervous about raising it to the current circuit breaker limit because of the uncertainty of not knowing how widely it would be used and the liability that could be associated with such a significant increase. Ultimately, though, he was not opposed to raising the limit to the current circuit breaker numbers.
“I want to do what I can to help folks who are genuinely in a tough situation,” he said.
After realizing that the program’s eligibility requirements, such as interest rates and income limits, can be adjusted in future years based on the market, the rest of the council became comfortable voting for this.
Precinct 2 City Councilor Felicia Jadczak argued that raising the income limit for FY27 to the current circuit breaker levels widens the pool of people and gives Easthampton an opportunity to set a standard in the region.
“From an accessibility standpoint, why not let [people] make the choice that they need this,”
Jadczak said. “I would hate to have someone who’s making $61,000 be locked out because we didn’t raise it to a higher level. $75,000 today is not the same $75,000 that it was five, 10, 20 years ago.”
Precinct 1 City Councilor James Kwiecinski echoed those statements. He stated that setting the income limits to the maximum amount now will put the city ahead of the curve when housing prices inevitably rise again.
“It sets a standard that can help a lot of people,” he said. “$20,000 [the default income level at the state level] was ridiculous. “60,000 I’m not sure will catch the attention of enough people. I think the [$]75[,000], ‘this is something I really have to think about.’”
City Councilor Kiam Jamrog-McQuaid argued that while this doesn’t solve the wider structural issues festering within the housing market across the state, he felt that this was a good direction to go in.
“Our housing market is really broken,” he said. “So, I think that [the program] allows people to defer some of those costs and allow them to stay in their homes.”
Seniors can start applying for these deferrals starting July 1. Zdonek said that although the process could take a while, any deferrals would be retroactive to that date.
The council approved the deferral program with the income amendments by a unanimous vote.
NORTHAMPTON
Academy of Music names Dumont as new executive director
By Trent Levakis tlevakis@thereminder.com
NORTHAMPTON — The Academy of Music Theatre’s Board of Trustees has announced that Raymond Dumont will take over as executive director of the theater on July 1 after current executive director, Debra J’Anthony, announced she will step down after 18 years in the role.
“I’ve had an amazing, full career, and I think now is time for me to step forward and to have some fresh perspective and fresh energy come into the space,” J’Anthony told Reminder Publishing Dumont will move to Northampton from his hometown of Lewiston, Maine, where he has spent the majority of his over 30year career in professional theater as a performer, educator, director, choreographer and producer. Most recently, Dumont has been the executive director for The Public Theatre in Lewiston and also has over 25 seasons of work at Maine State Music Theatre located on the Bowdoin University campus in various capacities, including four years as managing director from 1999-2003.
Dumont said creating art that starts conversations, provides entertainment, brings people together and improves the quality of life in communities is what
motivates him.
He attended Boston University School of Management, where he majored in finance and marketing. Having fallen in love with performing, Dumont said his major and passions weren’t exactly aligned, but he eventually landed an opportunity to work in the marketing department of a theater group and saw firsthand the path to a career in theater.
“It was an amazing eye-opener that you can have a life in the professional theater in any number of ways,” Dumont said, adding that eventually working with Maine State Music Theater is what refined his thoughts and showed him he could work on the production side as well. “Working at Maine State was really where I learned what it means to actually manage an arts organization.”
Dumont will take the reins from J’Anthony, who served the organization for 18 years and spent 16 years as the executive director at the Shea Theater in Turners Falls. J’Anthony’s tenure at the historic venue ushered in extensive restorations and renovations to the building and updates to theatrical equipment; expanded programming that includes the Season Series, several community-based series, greater youth educational offerings and a re-establishment of the Academy of Music as a center for live per-
formance in the Pioneer Valley.
J’Anthony called Dumont “a full package” due to his experience in managing theaters as an art director. She shared that she is excited for him to step into the role and bring the Academy forward. She explained that she gave the Academy a three-year notice of her pending retirement so that the organization was able to put a strategic plan in place for the next chapter in its legacy. During this time, she said that she has found herself reflecting on so many different aspects of her tenure, including what the Northampton community has grown to mean to her.
“I think what I’m feeling the most [is] all the people that have walked alongside me to help lift up the Academy and make it what it is today. Through all of the renovation projects, all of the programming that has grown, the promoters and arts organizations that have come in to take a chance and utilize the space, to the patrons who have come together and shared in the art, to the children who are taking our youth program classes and productions who are passionate about the arts. I can’t say that there’s any one thing, I think it’s just the whole of the organization and what it means to this community,” J’An
See DIRECTOR on page 10
Musante Beach lands floating beach wheelchair after city receives grant
By Trent Levakis tlevakis@thereminder.com
NORTHAMPTON — Musante Beach will soon have a floating beach wheelchair after the
Northampton Parks & Recreation Department was awarded one through the SMILE Mass 2026 Floating Beach Wheelchair Grant Program.
SMILE Mass is a nonprofit that empowers families with disabilities to enjoy barrier-free recreation through inclusive recreation and adaptive programs. Through
its Floating Beach Wheelchair Grant Program, SMILE is helping create more inclusive beaches, ponds and lakes throughout New England, according to the organization.
“I think the floating beach wheelchair is a great opportunity,” Parks & Recreation Director Ann-Marie Moggio told Reminder Publishing. “I think it’ll be a really great opportunity for people of different abilities to use Musante Beach and to be able to enjoy it up there, especially on these super-hot days we’re experiencing.”
Since launching this program, SMILE Mass has donated more than 180 floating beach wheelchairs to public beaches and ponds across New England to help individuals with disabilities safely access the water and enjoy time with loved ones.
“Accessibility is super important, and it’s a priority. I think this will be an important step and a good way for us to keep collaborating with some of the local partners we collaborate with, like All Out Adventures, and of course our Disability Commission in town, they’re all aware of the donation and will help us to get the word out once we move forward with the community outreach
once the donation gets here,” Moggio added.
Northampton is one of five communities to be awarded through this round of grant awards for the beach wheelchair program. Musante Beach, open now for its 36th season, will be home to the wheelchair, which uses large balloon tires on the beach wheelchair that allows it to be pushed by a companion into the water. The armrest floats connected to the chair help users float in the water.
SMILE Mass donates approximately 20 beach wheelchairs annually in a mission to make every public beach and pond in New England accessible. To learn more about the beach wheelchair and about SMILE Mass’s work, visit www.smilemass.org. Moggio said it is still to be determined when the beach wheelchair will be delivered to the city, but the plan is to host a community celebration for the new addition whenever the chair is received.
“It’s huge that they’re [SMILE Mass] promoting accessibility and inclusion. This is something that we may not even have thought about even pursuing,” added Moggio. “It’s going to promote more inclusion for all the current members of our community, and so I’m psyched to partner with them, and it’s great to know that this option is there, and now we get to provide some good memories for some people that might not otherwise have gotten that opportunity out here in Western Mass. We’re really thrilled. This is a generous donation, and it’s something we may not have otherwise known about.”
-
The Academy of Music Theatre has announced Raymond Dumont as its next executive director.
Photo credit: Raymond Dumont
DINING ENTERTAINMENT
STRM: East Longmeadow July 4 celebrations are bigger than ever
By Dennis Hackett dhackett@thereminder.com
EAST LONGMEADOW — With the United States celebrating its 250th anniversary this July, East Longmeadow is pulling out all the stops with one of its biggest Fourth of July celebrations to date.
On the latest episode of “So That Reminds Me,” East Longmeadow Rotary Club and 250th Committee members Donna Prather and Adele Hill joined Tyler Garnet and myself to talk all about East Longmeadow’s Fourth of July and 250th anniversary celebrations, dubbed “Celebrating America 250th in 01028 in the USA”.
Hill said people can look forward to “lots of stuff” as a part of the celebration and said it was a group effort with organizations in town.
“Celebrate 250th in East Longmeadow started off as sort of an idea with different groups from the Recreation Department, Rotary Club, as well as the town manager’s office, and it has evolved into this huge amount of coordination for a bunch of different events starting on June 26,” she said.
Hill added that Center Field will serve as the main stage for the events kicking off on June 26, which includes live music and a beer garden put together by East Village Tavern. Beginning on June 26, there will be a car show from 5-7 p.m. with a performance from Just Go With It; on June 27, there will be lawn games, Trivia with Rich and the town’s first ceremonial bonfire, along with live music from Project 267; there will be a cornhole tournament from 3-7 p.m. along with a performance from Aquanett; and on June 29 the Rotary Club will be offering free meals for veterans followed by a performance from Now That’s 90’s. There will also be food available for purchase every night.
Following the additional four days of events this year, the annual carnival kicks off on June 30 at Center Field, which runs every day through July 4. There will
also be live music at the carnival each night starting with Masshats on June 30, Trailer Trash on July 1, the Black Cadillacs on July 2 and 7Roads Band on July 3. Also, on July 3 at Mapleshade Elementary School, Trailer Trash will perform again before the laser light show, which is scheduled for 9 p.m. All the concerts will take place at 7 p.m., and the carnival will run each day from 6-10 p.m.
On July 4, the parade steps off at 10 a.m. from St. Michael’s Church and will continue along the traditional route from Maple Street to North Main Street to Maplewood Street to Elm Street, while the carnival runs from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. that day. It’s Pat
Again will play the last concert that night.
Hill said a new addition to the parade this year is a sensory spot.
“Which will be Elmcrest, which is just at the end of the parade route before the parade route ends at Hanward Hill,” she said.
“The DPW and police, we’re going to set it up so that we have the area cornered off and families can have one-sided parking on that street so they can park close so those with issues with loud noises, loud sounds or loud colors, and lights and such have a more quiet area to actually enjoy the parade.”
Along with the events throughout the week, the club and Historical Commission are still accepting submissions for the time capsule until June 27. There are donation boxes available in town buildings. Hill also highlighted the first business that submitted for the capsule.
“If you look on Facebook, Jeanie’s Weenies gave a hat, so that was actually the first thing donated,” she said.
Hill also said the laser light show, which has replaced the traditional fireworks because of the construction of the new high school, has been a huge success.
“We are guessing we had thousands of people for the laser light show because everybody else in the area canceled their fireworks because they couldn’t set them off,” she said.
Prather said the new location at Mapleshade was also a success.
“We got a lot of great feedback also about the location of it because of the way it was set up on the field and people were able to walk to it,” she said.
Hill said that putting all the events together is a community effort.
“It’s great to have so many planners from the town, town officials, as well as with the Rec. Department and Rotarians who have all come together to help plan these different events,” Hill said. “For the July 4 parade, we have a lot of community members who come out and help.”
Prather added that the volunteers are a huge part of organizing the events.
“It’s huge, it goes from word of mouth to someone out there hanging a banner, or setting up chairs for an event, we have high school students that help us, this wouldn’t happen without volunteers, both monetarily and sweat equity,” she said. “It’s enormous how many people come out and help.”
Prather said she was most looking forward to people coming out and having fun.
“It’s really about seeing people happy and having a good time; there’s enough to worry about going on in the world right now so let’s just have some fun,” she said.
The following communities also have plenty of events in store for the holiday and anniversary:
• Chicopee is celebrating America’s 250th birthday from 4-10 p.m. at Szot Park on Friday, June 26. Fireworks will take place on Saturday, June 27, with a rain date of Sunday, June 28, at Szot Park.
• Holyoke’s July 4 fireworks celebration will take place at Holyoke Community College on Friday, June 26, and a rain date is scheduled for Saturday, June 27. The event begins at 6 p.m. There will be food, music and family-friendly activities before the fireworks display at dusk.
• On Saturday June 27, the Thunder in the Valley Concert & Fireworks Festival returns. The
event is ran by nonprofit Unbroken Wings Inc and the proceeds for the event go to benefit the Children’s Miracle Network at Baystate Children’s Hospital. It is a full day event featuring live bands, food trucks, family-friendly games and activities and a fireworks show to end the night.
• The annual South Hadley fireworks celebration will occur on Friday, July 3, at 5 p.m., with the fireworks commencing at 9:30 p.m. at the Michael E. Smith Middle School. A potential rain date is scheduled for Sunday, July 5. The evening will include food trucks, vendors, rides and games for kids. There will be a DJ in the parking lot, and the South Hadley Community Band will start to play at 8 p.m.
• Westfield will be home to the annual Wyben Fourth of July Parade, which starts at 5 p.m.
on July 4 at the corner of North and Montgomery roads. Westfield will also have a fireworks display at Westfield Middle School on July 2 at 9:15 p.m.
• Star Spangled Springfield returns on July 4 from 6-10 p.m. with fireworks to be displayed from the Memorial Bridge. Enfield will host its Fourth of July Town Celebration from July 10-12. There will be a 5K at 9 a.m. and parade at 11 a.m. on July 11 along with a car show on July 12 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., followed by the fireworks at 9:45 p.m. Beginning on July 10, there will be live music and family events throughout the weekend. To listen to the full episode, head to thereminder.com/ourpodcast or search “So That Reminds Me” on your favorite podcasting platform.
East Longmeadow Rotary Club and 250th Committee members Donna Prather and Adele Hill joined Tyler Garnet and Dennis Hackett on the latest episode of “So That Reminds Me.”
Reminder Publishing photo by Chris Maza
DPW Director Donna LaScaleia to step down after more than a decade
NORTHAMPTON — Mayor
Gina-Louise Sciarra announced that Department of Public Works Director Donna LaScaleia will step down from her position effective Aug. 31, after more than 10 years of service to the city of Northampton.
LaScaleia joined Northampton in May 2016 and has led one of the city’s largest and most essential departments through a decade of growth, investment and modernization. Overseeing nearly 100 employees responsible for maintaining Northampton’s roads, sidewalks, parks, athletic fields, cemeteries, water, sewer and wastewater systems, flood control infrastructure, public shade trees, and fleet operations, she guided the department through the COVID-19 pandemic, increasingly severe weather events and a prolonged period of workforce shortages. Despite those challenges, LaScaleia maintained the reliable delivery of essential public services while advancing significant infrastructure, environmental and capital improvement projects throughout the city.
“It has been my great honor to lead a department of nearly 100 men and women who demonstrate daily dedication to Northampton,” said LaScaleia. “I offer my deep
Director
Continued from page 8
thony said. “I just want to say that this community has been such a kind and generous community, and because they highly value the performing arts, it has made my team here so much fun. Certainly, there have been challenges, but I have felt the love and support of this community, and I feel it back towards them.”
Dumont said he is eager to take the baton from J’Anthony. He plans to uphold the standards she helped set and carve a new path forward for the Academy.
“I’m very, very well aware that I have massive shoes to fill and of
Recount
Continued from page 1
to be fixed,” said Wauczinski.
City Clerk Mary Ann Giza confirmed to Reminder Publishing that there was an error on the city’s part where some mail-in ballots sent out did not include the ballot itself, but she could not confirm the total number of these ballots. Still, “about nine” total residents called the clerk’s office to report empty envelopes, and those claims were indeed validated. She added that all residents who called to report they were sent an empty envelope were then sent a new mail-in ballot leading to the special election, which
gratitude to Mayor Gina-Louise Sciarra and Mayor David Narkewicz before her for their leadership, for their integrity, for their trust and confidence in me, and most especially, for their support of Public Works and our critical operations. I have proudly served Northampton for a decade, and though I am stepping down, my care and respect for this city and DPW remain steadfast. I encourage the community to support the next director and to recognize all Public Works employees who give so much in service each day.”
During her tenure, Northampton has invested heavily in public infrastructure and environmental stewardship. Under LaScaleia’s leadership, the Department of Public Works has advanced major roadway and sidewalk improvements, strengthened drinking water and stormwater systems, expanded the city’s urban forest, improved fleet and facilities management, and earned recognition for excellence in public works and environmental operations.
Supported by her skilled DPW and utilities staff, some Public Works highlights from LaScaleia’s tenure include:
• Earned recognition from the Department of Environmental Protection as one of the top-per-
Debra’s impact on the Academy over 20 years. You can’t be somewhere 20 years without making a really big difference. So, I look forward to seeing where I fit into the history,” said Dumont.
Looking ahead, Dumont said that on top of the various work he’s done in professional theater over the years, arts education has become a passion of his work, and he sees a great opportunity in expanding the existing youth education program.
“One of the things that attracted me to the Academy is that they have a real commitment to arts education, and all they can do is grow. There’s so much room to grow, and I think that’s really exciting,” said Dumont. “I’ve seen
is what the process calls for.
For those who claim they never received any ballot, Giza said that may be because each new year, voters must once again sign up to receive the mail-in ballot.
Giza said the clerk’s office must account for every mailed ballot through a state computer system, the date it was sent and if it was received. If a person claimed they did not receive a ballot, then that is also accounted for, and a new one is sent out to the voter.
Giza said the clerk’s office sent a new ballot to all of the voters who reported empty envelopes. The errors that did occur on the city’s end have already been reported to the state, according to Giza.
forming public water systems in the commonwealth for 2025.
• Earned recognition from the United States Environmental Protection Agency for excellence in Northampton’s Wastewater Industrial Pretreatment Program for 2025.
• Invested more than $30 million in upgrades to critical equipment and processes at the Wastewater Treatment Plant.
• Implemented a citywide organic athletic field management program that has eliminated the use of pesticides and other harsh chemicals on municipal playing fields and in parks.
• Paved and reconstructed more than 30 miles of roads and sidewalks throughout Northampton.
• Planted more than 2,400 new public shade trees and expanded Northampton’s urban canopy.
• Modernized Northampton’s public works fleet, replacing aging vehicles and equipment, including the divesting of assets that had been in service for more than three decades.
• Constructed a municipal fuel depot that improved fleet efficiency, reduced operating costs, and enhanced fuel-use tracking and accountability.
• Initiated critical upgrades to Northampton’s stormwater and
firsthand what arts education can do. I’ve seen it change children, literally change children, and I just feel like, not to get morbid, but I feel like some of my experiences kind of prove to me that theater saves lives and that sits with me every time I get in front of a group with young people.”
Dumont also wants to grow diverse audiences across the community for various shows, both produced and presented by the academy. Dumont shared that he worked on audience development during his time in Lewiston, and he hopes to bring that experience to Northampton.
“We want to bring things to people that they want to see. During the course of my inter-
Giza said that there needs to be a three-day notice of the recount following the certification of signatures before it can take place. She said that a date for the recount should be set sometime in the coming days, and it will be open to the public.
Wauczinski said she led the “vote no” campaign because there was concern that those in the community on fixed incomes or with financial restraints may not be withstand the hike in property taxes from the passed override.
“I think there are a lot of people who can’t afford another tax increase and will be forced to sell their homes. Some of these people have been generational Easthampton residents, and they’ll be forced to leave, and
flood-control infrastructure, improving systems that protect neighborhoods, businesses, and public assets from flooding.
• Implemented data-driven capital planning systems that transparently guide annual roadway and sidewalk investments.
• Led the department through major storms, emergency response operations, and increasingly severe weather events while maintaining uninterrupted delivery of essential public services.
“Director Donna LaScaleia has spent the last decade doing one of the hardest jobs in city government exceptionally well,” said Sciarra. “The work of public works touches every resident, every business, and every neighborhood, often in ways people never see. Under Director LaScaleia’s leadership, residents could count on a department that showed up, solved problems and took pride in serving the community.”
“As mayor, there are a handful of people whose judgment you come to rely on completely. Donna has been one of those people for me. She approached every challenge we faced with professionalism, honesty, and a determination to get the job done right. I have relied on her counsel, her experience, and her steady leadership
views, I was saying I’m not trying to fix things that work, why would I do that? But then, there’s got to be room for trying new things, and seeing what makes sense, but that’s not something I can necessarily put my finger on until I see the entire operation,” he added. “I really feel like my background in arts education and certainly in theater will be something that I want to bring to the fore, but also I’m really excited to learn about the presenting part of the organization, which is booking in those big acts on stage and bringing people in from all over to perform in that wonderful community, so I’m really looking forward to seeing how I fit into the landscape.”
more times than I can count. After 10 years of service, Director LaScaleia leaves behind a department that is stronger, more capable, and better prepared for the future than the one she inherited. I am deeply grateful for all she has given Northampton and wish her every success in whatever comes next. The city has benefited enormously from her service, and I will greatly miss working alongside her,” shared Sciarra.
The city will begin a search immediately for Northampton’s next director of Public Works. The position will be posted publicly, and a search will be conducted to identify the strongest candidate to lead the department moving forward. To support a smooth transition, the city anticipates overlap between LaScaleia and her successor and expects to retain her on a limited basis following her departure to assist with onboarding and continuity as needed. “Donna LaScaleia has been an excellent partner in planning this transition, and she has committed to helping ensure a smooth handoff to the next director,” said Sciarra. “I am confident that Northampton residents will continue to receive the reliable public services they depend on every day as we conduct a search for her successor.”
Dumont said he is eager to get started on July 1 and expressed much gratitude for the opportunity for the next chapter of his professional career.
“I feel like I found my niche. You spend your whole life trying to find the thing that makes you fly out of bed every day, and I’ve been lucky enough to make performing arts, by in large, for the last 30 years, my source of income, and that’s a blessing,” said Dumont. “I hope that I can be there for a good long time and have the kind of impact Debra had, but make it my own. We don’t do that alone; it’s all about the team. You never do this in a vacuum. All arts at their best are a collaboration.”
there are some residents who can’t afford the increase but for lots of reasons don’t want to or can’t leave,” she added.
