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Picture Main Street final design shared with public IN THIS

EDITION

By Trent Levakis

tlevakis@thereminder.com

EASTHAMPTON

Affordable housing project proposed A $45 million project calls for affordable housing at 6 South St.

Page 2

NORTHAMPTON POSTAL CUSTOMER

Initiative invites solar to Bombyx A new initiative at Bombyx invites residents to donate excess solar.

Residents spoke with members of the Toole Design team and asked questions about the project and its final design.

See PICTURE MAIN on page 2

ECRWSS

Main Street can be completed.

In 2028, plans are for the curb line movement process to begin, along with street grading, and coordinated communication with business owners about when construction will occur.

The project design calls for three vehicle travel lanes, expanded sidewalks, separated bike lanes and a mix of parallel and angled parking. The final design is the result of shared ground between two commonly voiced pri-

Page 4

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NORTHAMPTON — Residents squeezed inside 180 Main St. on July 29 to see final design plans for the upcoming $43.3 million Picture Main Street project that will rehabilitate downtown.

The event showcased the 100% design plans submitted to the Massachusetts Department of Transportation earlier this month by the city, along with new renderings of the project. The July 29 event was an opportunity for the public to connect with the Toole Design team and Office of Planning and Sustainability Director Carolyn Misch about the project.

“We submitted the 100% plans to MassDOT, and we always had planned that once we had something else to showcase then we would do a series of public engagements. Now that we’ve done that, we now have the opportunity, and this will continue into the fall,” Misch told Reminder Publishing.

Misch explained that these final design plans are not much different from the plans already well-documented. She said that everything from the 25% to the 100% design process involved tweaking and adjusting.

“Making sure everything fits, doing the fine-tune grating,” she added. “I wouldn’t say that there’s a big change, but just more detail has been added to it.”

Eversource gas lines and rightof-way boundaries will be finalized so that in 2027, water and sewer upgrades on each block of

AUGUST 6 -12 , 2026 | HAMPSHIRE

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THEREMINDER.COM | WE ARE HOMETOWN NEWS

Affordable housing project proposed in Easthampton

By Ryan Feyre

rfeyre@thereminder.com

EASTHAMPTON — A major $45 million project that calls for affordable housing on the hill between Park Street and Westview Terrace will grace the Planning Board in the coming weeks.

The NRP Group, a national developer that has built thousands of homes across the country, is proposing 90 affordable units and 135 parking spaces on 11.5 acres at 6 South St., which sits about a half mile from Mountain View School.

According to Jonathan Gertman, the senior vice president of development for The NRP Group, the plan is to build five three-story buildings with 18 units apiece and a separate standalone clubhouse.

The units will be one-, two- or three-bedroom. “[We’re] ultimately trying to have the least possible disturbance, the best setback from … homes, and the most sensible layout for buildings based on the site contours,” Gertman said about the project, which he presented in front of a packed house of residents at a community meeting inside the Easthampton Public Safety Complex on July 29. “And then, infiltration, detention ponds, and then maximizing the amount of trees and vegetation that we can preserve.”

The units will specifically appeal to those making between 30 and 80% of the area median income, according to Gertman. In

Western Mass., the 2026 AMI for a family of four is $125,000, and Gertman said rents will be set at one-third of residents’ incomes.

Additionally, the units must be affordable for at least 50 years due to a restriction that will be placed on the site. The NRP Group also has a 15-year commitment to own and operate the properties.

In the July 29 presentation, Gertman said the buildings will be “residential style” with Board and Batten accents, and the clubhouse will have several amenities including after-school space, a community room, bike parking and a fitness center. The plans also state that the Park Street side of the project will be the primary access point for cars entering and exiting.

Gertman said that each building will have fully accessible ground units and NRP will have full-time staff on site. When the NRP offices are closed, including overnight and on the weekends, residents will have access to an emergency call service for any maintenance issues.

The buildings will be all electric, which means no gas is planned on site, and Gertman said EV-ready chargers will be available. The developers are also planning to have, at minimum, solar-ready roofs, but Gertman noted that they are still finishing studies to see if solar panels are feasible for this project.

The NRP Group will purchase the property from Serio Family Realty, LLC, which has had principal

offices on Park Street since 2014, according to Bizapedia. John Furman, the regional office manager for VHB Engineering in Springfield — the engineer on record for the project — stated that the two existing homes on 6 South St. and 215 Park St. will be demolished.

After that happens, the developers plan to revegetate the area.

“We were introduced to [the Serio family] as they decided that the time was right for them to no longer own the property, so we’re working directly with them on a contract basis to purchase it,” Gertman said.

Abutters of the proposed project and a couple of city councilors attended the July 29 public meeting in person and over Google Meet to voice opinions about the project.

Residents specifically asked technical questions and voiced concerns about traffic, quality of life, population and the environment surrounding the development.

Some residents argued that the high-density population could lead to safety concerns on the roads.

Furman said the site itself is 100% compliant with all aspects of zoning, and according to a traffic study, the new housing is expected to generate 475 trips per day during a 24-hour period, including 26 during the morning peak hour and 36 during the afternoon peak period. There will be no traffic light or bike lanes added, but a crosswalk is proposed on the south end of the driveway across Park Street, along with high-visibility

pedestrian signs and a sidewalk.

The driveway will be ADA-compliant, but the sidewalk will not be.

Addressing environmental concerns, Furman said he found no resource areas on the site regulated by the Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act or the Massachusetts Rivers Act. “We were notified when we were doing cell testing that one of the abutters had thought we were in a wetland and called the conservation agent,” Furman said.

“She called me. We had our environmental person come back out, looked at the site and confirmed that we were not.”

He added that the site contains 6.8 acres of woodland, and the developers intend to remove around 3 acres for development.

The plans show that the developers will reforest 1.9 acres.

A couple of residents were concerned that an increase in population would lead to an overflow of students at Mountain View School.

However, City Councilor Amanda Newton noted at the meeting that the schools in Easthampton are not at capacity and are built to handle more students.

“What happens is when you have more students, the School Department gets more money from the state that helps to pay for those students,” she said. “And then they use that money if they need to have one more new classroom. They hire another teacher, and they have a new classroom.

There’s room to do that.”

City Councilor Kiam Jamrog-McQuaid, who said he professionally studies land use and housing policy, added that the project will not be a financial burden on the city. He agreed with Newton about the fact that more students in the school system means more state investment in Easthampton.

He also commended the developers for investing in improvements to the area’s pipe diameter, which will in turn improve the sewer system.

“I just want to really push back on the idea that this is going to be a drain on our city resources,” Jamrog-McQuaid said. “I think in addition, there’s a ton of social benefits to having stable housing that is deeply affordable and actually supports the working population in our city and working families in our city. I think that is critical.”

The NRP Group is a privately held company that has been around for 30 years. Aside from income-restricted housing, they also specialize in luxury housing all across the country. Although they’ve worked in Massachusetts, this is their first time in Hampshire County.

The developers hope to submit their plans to the Planning Board for further examination in the coming weeks, and Gertman said an optimistic timeline would be to start construction at the end of 2027.

He added that construction would take 18 to 20 months.

Cuba in the Valley Film Series moves to Luthier’s Co-op EASTHAMPTON — Following the July 26 anniversary of the Cuban Revolution, a small group of movie buffs announce that as they go into their second year of free monthly films from and about Cuba, they are moving the screenings to Luthier’s Co-op, 108 Cottage St. on the first Monday of each month. The series is sponsored by Massachusetts Peace Action and the Hispanic-American Library of Spring-

field.

The first showing, titled “Death of a Bureaucrat,” occurred on Aug. 3. It is a 1961 farce about the dangers and pitfalls of socialist bureaucracies.

Following each film, drawing on their extensive experience in Cuba, organizers Merri Ansara and Michael McCarthy lead a discussion of the film and share relevant news and actions to take.

Cuba has been laboring under

a total fuel embargo for the last seven months, creating hardships with long blackouts, surgery and medical delays and transportation problems. President Donald Trump has threatened to bomb or attack the island.

So why Cuban movies? What’s so special? Why this approach to getting to know the island, its history, culture and near 70-year-old socialist revolution?

Ansara said, “Cuba has an

iconic place in our ideas and memories. As someone who has traveled back and forth to Cuba for 50 years and for 20 years ran an organization that arranged travel for others to Cuba, I enjoy sharing what I know and love about Cuba with people. Films are a great way to do it.”

McCarthy, meanwhile, said, “Cuba shows us how another world is possible. How does an island nation of 10 million peo-

ple provide free healthcare and education to all? Accomplish one of the most successful literacy projects in human history? It is a place worth exploring beyond the headlines and film is a great way to do that.”

Doors open at Luthier’s at 6:45. All films are in Spanish with English subtitles. Luthier’s bar will serve cocktails, beer and snacks. The public is welcome to bring in outside food.

Picture Main

turn lane, angled parking, separated sidewalk-level bike lanes, sidewalks ranging from 6 to 35 feet in width and curb extensions to narrow most crossings. The additional sidewalk width along the street aims to provide significant space for public space, outdoor dining and commerce, extensive greenery and trees, snow storage and green infrastructure.

At the signalized intersections of New South and State streets, and King and Pleasant streets, additional vehicle travel lanes will be added to manage turning movements while maintaining on-street parking and separated bike lanes. Additionally, the entire corridor will be brought into compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, ensuring

that Main Street is accessible and inviting to people of all ages and abilities.

Defined travel and turn lanes aim to reduce confusion and common crash risks, while shorter crossings, improved visibility, accessible curb ramps, and smaller intersections aim to make it easier to commute through downtown in different capacities.

The city is projected to spend about $11.8 million in total on the project. Approximately $31.5 million of the project will be covered through state and federal allocation.

Opponents of the project have long debated its costs and if those costs were the best use of the city’s funding. There have also been shared worries about increased

traffic during construction, the negative impact the project could have on downtown businesses, and how the project will protect pedestrians and cyclists. The pop-up event included more of these conversations between the public and project leaders.

MassDOT will conduct a thorough review of the plans over the coming months, and two public meetings will be held in the fall, allowing community members to learn more about the final design and share feedback before the project moves forward. This will include an open house event about the project in September, and a MassDOT-hosted public information meeting sometime this fall.

Substantial construction activity will begin in spring 2028, beginning with one construction season of utility work followed by four seasons of work concentrated in various locations in the project area.

As construction draws closer, the city plans to share updates about the schedule, access and what the community can expect at each stage.

Misch said that a clear communication channel between the city and the business owners has already been established.

“We have developed and are working with this campaign called POP [Pardon Our Progress], which is linked on the city’s web page and it’s really an effort to jumpstart a channel of communication between the community, the business owners and the city, that we can use with the contractors and the public liaison so that we have regular weekly updates that we can blast to people,” Misch explained. “We will have those frequent updates, so we’ve started to develop the framework for that so we can make sure that we’re communicating regularly with everyone.”

By 2029, the project is planned to enter into its final additions phase, which includes final street paving and striping, sign installations, landscaping and plantings and additional close-out items to complete the project.

“The plans that were submitted to MassDOT include a phasing plan, and the first phase will be replacing the water and sewer lines. It’s in sort of discrete areas in the street. Then the next phase would be starting on the east end of Main Street and then moving to the West End,” Misch added.

For more information on the project visit northamptonma. gov/2547/Picture-Main-Street.

Continued from page 1

orities: preserving angled parking and providing space for expanded sidewalks and separated bike lanes, according to Misch.

Parallel spaces will drop from 99 to 68, and angled spaces will drop from 57 to 32. The goal of decreased parking is to improve visibility at crosswalks, create safer bicycle facilities, provide more space for people walking and gathering and build dedicated turn lanes at key intersections.

Between Masonic Street and Gothic Street, the final design illustrates three marked vehicle lanes, including a dedicated left

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SO THAT REMINDS ME — On the latest episode of So That Reminds Me, Managing Editor Dennis Hackett and Chicopee/Holyoke Herald Staff Writer Tyler Garnet sit down with Holyoke Mayor Joshua Garcia to discuss the status of current issues and happenings in the Paper City, including the city’s comprehensive planning process, the proposed sports complex, redevelopment of the Kmart property and the mayor’s approach to social media and constituent outreach.

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HAMPSHIRE | AUGUST 6 -12 , 2026

MassTrails grant to support MassCentral Rail Trail connection design

By Trent Levakis

tlevakis@thereminder.com

NORTHAMPTON — The city’s shared-use path network will continue to grow thanks to a recent $157,000 grant for the design of a new connection to the MassCentral Rail Trail.

Announced by the Office of Planning and Sustainability, the grant will support the design and engineering of a universally accessible connection to the Norwottuck section of the MassCentral Rail Trail at Northern Avenue. According to the announcement, the location has long been used informally by neighborhood residents to access the bike path, but it is available only in favorable conditions and only to those who have unhindered mobility.

The connection will open up direct access for hundreds of residents in the surrounding neighborhood, according to the city. The grant will be matched by $45,000 in local Community Preservation Act funding and will result in construction-ready plans.

“Northampton’s trail network is one of our community’s great-

est assets, and everyone should be able to enjoy it,” said Mayor Gina-Louise Sciarra. “This grant helps us remove a barrier that has existed for years while bringing us one step closer to a safe, accessible connection for the surrounding neighborhood.”

Director of Planning and Sustainability Carolyn Misch told Reminder Publishing the city has been looking at ways to connect the end of Northern Avenue to the bike path for a number of years, and this grant will help make that possible. She added that the new connection will also make the bike path accessible to all.

“Currently, there is no formal access to the bike path in the middle of this neighborhood, yet the demand for a connection is clearly present, given the well-worn desire path. The informal access allows able-bodied people to connect in this location, but not others.

The connector designed through this grant will resolve this issue,” Misch said. “When this MassTrails grant round came up again, we See MASSTRAILS on page 4

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Initiative invites surplus solar donations to Bombyx

By Trent Levakis

tlevakis@thereminder.com

NORTHAMPTON — A new initiative at Bombyx Center for Arts & Equity is inviting community members to transform their excess solar energy into vibrant cultural experiences.

“Sunshine into Art,” a new solar credit donation program, was launched by the nonprofit in July to redirect energy costs toward programming. The initiative was inspired by resident John Silletto, who donated 100% of his surplus solar credits to the venue.

Bombyx spends over $13,000 annually on electricity, a figure that is anticipated to rise naturally and as the organization expands its schedule.

Through crowdsourcing solar credits, the nonprofit aims to eliminate these utility costs and redirect 100% of those funds toward artists’ residencies and community events.

“We want to turn ‘overhead’ into ‘opportunity,’” said Bombyx Executive Director Cassandra Holden. “Every dollar we don’t spend on the electric bill is a dollar that goes directly to supporting multidisciplinary artists locally, regionally and globally.”

Holden told Reminder Publishing that since taking the historic building over in 2021, the organization has prioritized investments into the building’s HVAC system, and its insulation and energy efficiency to help prime it for its future uses.

“It was not a good situation, so from the very beginning, we’ve been doing a variety of energy upgrades, really working to make the building’s air

quality better and the efficiency of everything better, really trying to make the building more sustainable so it can last for another 150 years,” Holden said. “As we’re doing more programming and expanding our concerts, our films, our classes, our workshops, all these different things, we’re only using the building more, so our energy demands continue to increase as the prices for energy also increase. And it’s really important to me, to the board, and to the artists who work in our space, that we’re not burning up our planet in order to make art. Artists care about the environment and care about the community, and one way that we can really demonstrate that is to move toward energy dependence.”

With that in mind, Bombyx is asking community members who have already installed solar on their homes and who are generating more energy than they use to consider donating their credits to the nonprofit.

Funds reclaimed from energy bills will directly support artist residencies, performances and other community projects taking place inside the building.

The program is currently open to National Grid customers, and the process is designed to be seamless for donors.

Those with solar interested in signing up to donate can request a Schedule Z form by emailing Holden at cassandra@bombyx. live. Through the form, donors can transfer credits and designate Bombyx as the recipient of the excess credits. Donors who provide a copy of their monthly bill showing the transferred amount will receive a formal tax acknowledgement for their re-

An inside look of the Bombyx Center for Arts & Equity.

Reminder Publishing file photo

cords, which adds a tax benefit to those looking to get involved.

So far, two people have signed up for the initiative, and those donations are already helping to cover about 20% of the building’s annual energy bill, according to Holden.

“If we had a handful more people do that, let’s say we get five or six more people to do that, we could pretty well wipe out our electric bill, which would be outstanding,” said Holden. “For us as an organization, the goal is really to get to the place where we are energy independent or close to it.”

She added, “What I would like to see in the future is imagining the worst-case scenario. We have another Hurricane Irene come through, and the power is out across town for a week, and you can come to Bombyx for a beautiful chef-prepared meal, you can get warmed or cooled depending on the season, you can charge your phone, and you can also come to a deeply moving performance in our sanctuary space. So we’re

not just meeting basic human needs, we’re getting all the way to joy, and we get to do all of that all the time.”

Holden said that by participating in this new initiative, community members can ensure that the region’s renewable energy directly fuels the local arts community.

“It’s deeply meaningful for us. Our community includes artists, people who come to our programming [and] people who walk their dogs by every day. I believe this region really cares about the environment, and this program is one way for folks who care deeply to express that and to use what they’re already generating to benefit others around them,” Holden said. “It doesn’t cost anyone anything to donate their solar credits that they’re already generating.

If you’re doing that, you’re already banking them, so this is an opportunity to give them away and create good in the region.”

For more information on the program, people can reach out to Bombyx at hello@bombyx.live.

opportunities for all, including environmental justice populations, older adults, school-aged residents and people with disabilities.

“The city has inch by inch grown its shared use path network, and so we try to look for connections from neighborhoods to that path to the greatest extent possible because we know that when we create safe alternatives for people to get to where they need to go, whether it’s for errands, commuting or just recreation, more people will use

those safer routes,” said Misch.

“Ultimately, to the extent that we can provide those safe connections that don’t require an automobile, it helps with equity, making sure that people who can’t afford vehicles have safe means of getting around.

Also, it meets our climate goals in trying to reduce our carbon footprint by at least enabling people to make choices about how they move around and not just be wedded to one way of getting around with an automobile.”

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MassTrails Continued from page 3

thought that it was the right opportunity to move the project forward, particularly now that there will be additional residences within the neighborhood that are going to be built. And so that just means more interest, more people that would be accessing.”

This grant will allow the city to

reduce the amount of funds awarded by the Community Preservation Committee and approved by the City Council for this design project so that those funds can be used as the required match to meet the grant requirements.

According to Misch, the project continues the city’s work to connect neighborhoods with multi-use paths and wooded trails that serve people of all ages and abilities.

Misch added that expanding safe, accessible access creates more

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EASTHAMPTON

HAMPSHIRE | AUGUST 6 -12 , 2026

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Community input needed to help draft rent proposal

By Trent Levakis

tlevakis@thereminder.com

EASTHAMPTON — The Easthampton Rent Study Committee is seeking community feedback to help them create a home rule petition for local rent stabilization.

The committee, which has been working on a first draft of a policy proposal that places protections around rent stabilization, recently released a survey to obtain that feedback. The committee is made up of city councilors, renters, landlords and developers across the community.

At Large City Councilor Kiam Jamrog-McQuaid, who serves as chair, told Reminder Publishing the committee’s work began last fall after the city passed a resolution to support a state bill lifting preemption on local option rent stabilization. The committee was then formed and tasked with creating a rent stabilization policy that would then go in front of the state as a home rule petition. The process follows the footsteps of other Massachusetts communities like Somerville and Boston.

A home rule petition is a formal request from a city or town to the state Legislature that asks for special permission to pass a law in that specific community. If the City Council approves a home rule petition, it would then move as a bill to the state Legislature for the next session. If passed by

the state Legislature, the city can then form an ordinance tied to the petition.

“We set up a plan to do our research and sort of become local experts in rent stabilization policy. We looked at case studies in a ton of different communities around the country,” said Jamrog-McQuaid. “We’ve really been pulling together a lot of information and a lot of case studies on this policy. The way that the Rent Study Committee was actually set up was to have it be tenants and landlords and developers, sort of all bringing that perspective to the table when we’re talking about this because we really want to make sure that all of those voices are brought in.”

He added they have received great input from both tenants and landlords about the subject.

They’ve also connected with other municipal leaders around the state to learn more about this process.

The survey is designed to gather feedback from the public, especially those who haven’t attended the committee’s meetings. This feedback will continue to guide the committee’s work in designing a policy.

“The ultimate goal of the policy is to set some commonsense guardrails around how much rent can be increased at one time to protect people from displacement,” he said. “It’s not

a rent freeze, but it’s a how can we understand that providing good housing in a community is important, and because we use a market to give people that housing, we need to make sure that market is healthy so we can’t completely destroy any incentive for people to rent out property.

But we’re also talking about a resource that is a human right.

People need a roof over their head; shelter is important, and people being able to stay in their community is also very important and has broader impacts on the community.”

Jamrog-McQuaid said that the effort is about recognizing that balance and realizing that guardrails are needed to protect tenants from rent increases. He added that the trajectory of unchecked increases leads to the deterioration and displacement of people that make up critical pillars of the community.

“I think it’s that important balance of how are we protecting from displacement while also allowing a fair return on property ownership,” he added. “Any policy that we would put in place would have to have provisions for what’s called fair return, which is considered like, yes, there is a rational basis for putting in these protections as I’ve listed these things before. In law, that’s government interest in welfare, in public health, protection of public safety, all those things

are tied up in this as a potential reasoning behind it, but you have to make sure that in doing that, you’re not overstepping what the government can do, which is saying you can’t make money on your business,” he explained.

The committee is discussing specific provisions for increases based on property tax spikes or large-scale capital improvements. Specifically, the idea is landlords could still distribute a portion of their expenses to renters to ensure they still make a reasonable return on their investment. He added that these costs can be shared in a fair way to prevent price gouging, unrestrained profit and rent seeking beyond what is sustainable for a community.

“We see this in other areas of business too. We regulate public utilities in a way that we protect people from getting their heat shut off in the middle of winter because we understand as a society that there needs to be guardrails around providing that service. That service is a need and a necessity, and that if you’re going to be doing business as someone to provide that necessity, there are those risks and responsibilities that come along with it, and that responsibility is to do your due diligence and what you can to keep people housed, and that’s not what’s happening now,” Jamrog-McQuaid added.

The survey will be open un-

til Aug. 14, and a final draft will be sent to the City Council by September. From there, through debate and a public hearing, the council would consider the home-rule petition and make the final decision on whether to send it to the Legislature.

Jamrog-McQuaid said that these are the initial steps in what will be an uphill battle, but ultimately, he said it is a worthwhile push to put pressure on the statehouse to act on this statewide issue.

“If we get the ability to do it locally, I’m really optimistic that the work and the coalition that we’re putting together through the Rent Study Committee, the tenants union, the landlords and developers we’ve talked to through this process to continue building something that would really work for Easthampton,” Jamrog-McQuaid said. “I think it’s important to clarify that the survey is not an effort to sort of gauge the public opinion about whether or not we should do rent control. I think the actual whether or not we should pass this to the state Legislature is going to be a question for City Council, but we as the Rent Study Committee were tasked with is creating this draft policy to present to council, so we’re just trying to collect input on what that looks like.”

The survey is available at forms.gle/2NaMCVNMEKaop7Dx9, or on the city website.

Amherst BID, Emily Dickinson Museum announce a special concert AMHERST — The Amherst Business Improvement District and the Emily Dickinson Museum are bringing live music to the Emily Dickinson Homestead. On Friday, Aug. 7, from 5:30-7:30 p.m., Western Massachusetts artist Kimaya Diggs will perform on the Dickinson family lawn between the historic Homestead and Evergreens properties. The concert is free and open to the public.

Diggs is a singer-songwriter from Western Massachusetts whose music weaves together folk, soul, jazz and R&B to explore themes of grief, resilience, love, identity and the search for meaning.

“Amherst’s arts and culture scene truly comes alive in the summer, adding to the year-round economic vitality and cultural richness of our downtown,” says executive director of the Amherst BID, John Page. “By bringing this concert to the Emily Dickinson Homestead, we’re activating a beautiful green space and inviting residents and

TheReminder.com Every week we will provide you with a complete listings of deaths from the preceding week from throughout Greater Springfield. We are doing this as a convenience to our readers in case you miss an obit in the daily paper. We hope you find this useful and that you will refer to it weekly.

AMHERST Phyllis Doliber Sleigh

GOSHEN Arlene May Harry

FLORENCE Charles Adams

LEEDS John Gnatek

NORTHAMPTON Andrew T. Cameron John J. Bobala David A. Peterson Carleton D. “Carl” Petrucci

Kimaya Diggs Reminder Publishing submitted photo

visitors to experience our community in exciting ways. Whether it’s a family outing, a date night, or just hanging out with friends, it’s an easy, affordable way to enjoy the whole Amherst experience.”

“With the completion of our See CONCERT on page 8

Call 866-643-0438 to schedule your free quote today!

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AUGUST 6 -12 , 2026 | HAMPSHIRE

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Desi Keay (7) gets the start against Westfield.

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Sawyer Chicoine (13) steps on first base for the last out of the inning.

BASEBALL EASTHAMPTON VS WESTFIELD

Easthampton 9U All-Star baseball team fell to Westfield, July 18 at Paper Mill field in Westfield REMINDER SPORTS PHOTOS TAKEN BY SAM BLAKE

Right fielder Dylan Wilson (11) throws the back into the infield.

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Josiah Diaz-Deshaies (1) covers third base incase the pitcher throws to him.

Head Coach and Catcher Thomas Staples (17) meet at the mound to talk to pitcher Colton Naumowicz (10).

Josiah Diaz-Deshaies (1) extends out to catch the ball.

Pitcher Colton Naumowicz (10) fields the groundball and throws it to first base.

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HAMPSHIRE | AUGUST 6 -12 , 2026

Catcher Thomas Staples (17) blocks the ball and keeps it in front of him.

Left fielder Noach Townsend (2) flicks the ball to the cutoff man right in front of him.

After reaching second base Desi Keay (7) leads off the bag.

Colton Naumowicz (10) comes into the game to pitch.

Shortstop Brady McGrath (9) waits for the throw from the catcher.

Jose Torres (21) fields the ball in the outfield and quickly gets the ball back into the infield.

While the ball is headed to first base Colton Naumowicz (10) watches the ball float in the air before it reaches first base.

AUGUST 6 -12 , 2026 | HAMPSHIRE

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Chickadee Karaoke Rooms offers reimagined karaoke experience

By Trent Levakis

tlevakis@thereminder.com

EASTHAMPTON — When Easthampton resident James Crawford set out to open Chickadee Karaoke Rooms on 24 Cottage St., the goal was to unhatch a unique alternative to the typical karaoke bar.

“I just saw the potential here.

Many people who go to Mount Tom’s and walk down to the water, I’ve done that so many times and looked into the storefront here and thought, ‘this is such a great spot, something could happen here,’” Crawford said. “It was born out of more on the location, Cottage Street, Easthampton. Finding this space, it was all a culmination of that where I felt like I needed to do something with it. It’s important to invest in your own community.”

The history of karaoke rooms dates back to Japan, but they’ve grown in popularity across the globe. The private room-by-room setup presents a more intimate space for parties to belt out their favorite tunes unabashedly.

“This is karaoke reimagined, and that means people need to be aware that this is different than karaoke nights [at a bar]. If you like karaoke nights, you’re going to like it here too. But if you don’t like karaoke nights, you probably will still really like it here. That’s why I didn’t want it to be called a karaoke bar. This is different, and I hope people give it a chance and see why it’s different,” said Crawford. “It’s more about connection than performance. Experience is definitely something I want to focus on. When you go to karaoke night, that is 90% listening to other people sing and

From left: Chickadee Karaoke Room is located at 24 Cottage St. A look inside the private rooms at Chickadee Karaoke Rooms.

Reminder Publishing photos by Trent Levakis

being at a bar.”

Chickadee was awarded a liquor license from the city, which is now pending approval from the state. In the meantime, Crawford has secured single-day licenses for Fridays and Saturdays. While there is no bar inside Chickadee, which was the former Rhythm Section Music Shop, they do offer canned adult beverages, and attendees are welcome to bring their own food or even order food to the space during their time in the rooms.

Inside the building are four karaoke rooms, including two rooms that hold four to eight people, one room for three to six, and a party room in the back that holds eight to 14 people. Each room has couches and is decorated with lighting and famous album artwork, which Crawford

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says creates an upscale experience for karaoke singers of all ages. Attendees can choose from over 120,000 songs using Singa, the platform the space offers.

Rooms can be booked by the hour for $15 per person for the first hour and $12 per person for each hour that follows.

Crawford’s passion for karaoke rooms stemmed from his time living in Hawaii over a decade ago with his wife while she attended graduate school. One of Crawford’s first nights out with his wife and her friends was at a local karaoke room. The karaoke room culture has been popular in Hawaii because of its proximity to Asia, according to Crawford, who said exposure to the unique experience made him an instant fan.

“She wanted me to meet a bunch of friends she had made through the grad program, and they were going to a karaoke room, and I had no idea what that was. I was like, ‘I can’t sing, I won’t sing in front of these people I’m meeting now.’ And when I went, I was like, ‘Oh, this is a karaoke room.’ It took me five minutes, and I was singing Lady

Gaga for people. Those were people I became really close with the entire time I lived in Hawaii, and that was not the last time we went to karaoke rooms together,” Crawford said.

The feeling of connection stuck with him, and he said he hopes to bring those same memories to Western Mass. He added that the lounge-style karaoke space is great for people of all ages looking to have a good time.

“I’ve tried to focus on making this a premium experience, not like a dive bar kind of experience. Not that I’m dumping on a dive bar, but I want this to be like something you’re comfortable going out on a double date, or having a birthday party, or a corporate event,” Crawford added.

“The space is important to your experience as well.”

He said the fact that Chickadee sits inside the former Rhythm Section Music Shop, which closed in 2020, adds to the musical experience.

“The space has been a music store for a really long time, so it’s kind of like a continuation of the spirit of music in this space. Just having the little reminders and

pieces of what the space used to be and the connection between music and the history of this space, I think adds another element to it,” he added.

So far, Crawford said feedback has been positive, and he’s already seen groups of friends and solo singers visit the new spot. He added that those memories he had in Hawaii are taking shape here for others.

“I had somebody the other night who came out of the room, and they looked like their mind had been blown. They walked up to me, and they were like, ‘dude, I think I just had the best time of my life,’ and that meant so much to me. It made it feel like this had already been worth it for me that I could have that kind of impact on somebody,” Crawford said. “I think the real message would be whether you think you like karaoke or not, you need to try it. It’s different, it’s something you really need to experience before you know what makes it special, and you don’t have to be a really good singer to have an amazing time.”

To learn more about the business or to book a room, visit chickadeekaraoke.com.

Concert

honored to partner with the Amherst Business Improvement District and Kimaya Diggs on this wonderful event.”

Local beer (Abandoned Building Brewery), wine (Black Birch), cider (Carr’s Ciderhouse), and seltzers (Berkshire Brewing Company and Princess Water) will be available for purchase for patrons 21 and older, with non-alcoholic beverages available as well.

Organizers of the event gave

thanks to the underwriters of this year’s summer concert series: Presenting Sponsor Encharter Insurance, an independent agency in Amherst. This event is organized by the Amherst Business Improvement District and the Emily Dickinson Museum in partnership with New England Public Media and Amherst Center Cultural District.

Their support enables the museum and Amherst BID to bring this free concert to the community.

Continued from page 5

new Carriage House Tour Center, the Emily Dickinson is thrilled to expand our programming,” said Patrick Fecher, associate director of communications at the Emily Dickinson Museum. “We are delighted to welcome the Amherst community to our grounds, and

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LEGAL NOTICES CITATION ON PETITION FOR FORMAL ADJUDICATION Docket No. HS26P0489EA Commonwealth of Massachusetts The Trial Court Probate and Family Court Hampshire Probate and Family Court 15 Atwood Drive Northampton, MA 01060 (413)586-8500 Estate of: Samuel Cooper Averill Also known as: Samuel C. Averill Date of Death: 06/01/2026 To all interested persons: A Petition for Formal Adjudication of Intestacy and Appointment of Personal Representative has been filed by Margaret Averill of Bryn Mawr PA requesting that the Court enter a formal Decree and Order and for such other relief as requested in the Petition.

The Petitioner requests that: Margaret Averill of Bryn Mawr PA be appointed as Personal Representative(s) of said estate to serve Without Surety on the bond in unsupervised administration.

IMPORTANT NOTICE You have the right to obtain a copy of the Petition from the Petitioner or at the Court.

You have a right to object to this proceeding. To do so, you or your attorney must file a written appearance and objection at this Court before: 10:00 a.m. on the return day of 08/26/2026.

This is NOT a hearing date, but a deadline by which you must file a written appearance and objection if you object to this proceeding. If you fail to file a timely written appearance and objection followed by an Affidavit of Objections within thirty (30) days of the return day, action may be taken without further notice to you.

UNSUPERVISED ADMINISTRATION UNDER THE MASSACHUSETTS UNIFORM PROBATE CODE (MUPC) A Personal Representative appointed under the MUPC in an unsupervised administration is not required to file an inventory or annual accounts with the Court. Persons interested in the estate are entitled to notice regarding the administration directly from the Personal Representative and may petition the Court in any matter relating to the estate, including the distribution of assets and expenses of administration.

WITNESS, Hon. Diana S. Velez Harris, First Justice of this Court.

Date: July 29, 2026 Mark S. Ames, Register of Probate (August 6)

CITATION ON PETITION FOR FORMAL ADJUDICATION Docket No. HS26P0419EA Commonwealth of Massachusetts The Trial Court Probate and Family Court Hampden Probate and Family Court 15 Atwood Drive Northampton, MA 01060 (413)586-8500 Estate of: Stephen Kurtz Date of Death: 04/10/2026 To all interested persons: A Petition for Formal Probate of Will with Appointment of Personal Representative has been filed by Corey B. Kurtz of Amherst MA and Michael D. Kurtz of Brooklyn NY requesting that the Court enter a formal Decree and Order and for such other relief as requested in the Petition.

The Petitioner requests that: Corey B. Kurtz of Amherst MA and Michael D. Kurtz of Brooklyn NY be appointed as Personal Representative(s) of said estate to serve Without Surety on the bond in unsupervised administration.

IMPORTANT NOTICE You have the right to obtain a copy of the Petition from the Petitioner or at the Court.

You have a right to object to this proceeding. To do so, you or your attorney must file a written appearance and objection at this Court before: 10:00 a.m. on the return day of 08/20/2026.

This is NOT a hearing date, but a deadline by which you must file a written appearance and objection if you object to this proceeding. If you fail to file a timely written appearance and objection followed by an Affidavit of Objections within thirty (30) days of the return day, action may be taken without further notice to you.

UNSUPERVISED ADMINISTRATION UNDER THE MASSACHUSETTS UNIFORM PROBATE CODE (MUPC) A Personal Representative appointed under the MUPC in an unsupervised administration is not required to file an inventory or annual accounts with the Court. Persons interested in the estate are entitled to notice regarding the administration directly from the Personal Representative and may petition the Court in any matter relating to the estate, including the distribution of assets and expenses of administration.

WITNESS, Hon. Diana S. Velez Harris, First Justice of this Court.

Date: July 23, 2026 Mark S. Ames, Register of Probate (August 6)

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Northampton, MA 01060 (413)586-8500 Estate of: Prepare for power outages today with a GenStephen Kurtz erac Home Standby Generator. Act now to receive a free 5-Year warranty with qualifying GET DISH SATELLITE TV + INTERNET! Free Date of Death: 04/10/2026 purchase* Call 1-855-948-6176 today to install, Free HD-DVR Upgrade. 80,000 On-DeTo all interested persons: schedule a free quote. It’s not just a generator. mand Movies, Plus Limited Time Up To $600 A Petition for Formal Probate of Will with ApIt’s a power move.

In Gift Cards. Call Today! 1-866-299-7135 pointment of Personal Representative has been filed by Corey B. Kurtz of Amherst MA and Michael D. Kurtz of Brooklyn NY requesting that the Court enter a formal Decree and Order and for such other relief as requested in the Petition.

The Petitioner requests that: Corey B. Kurtz of Amherst MA and Michael D. Kurtz of Brooklyn NY be appointed as Personal Representative(s) of said estate to serve Without Surety on the AMHERST HATFIELD bond in unsupervised administration.

Anne M. Burton, trustee, Anne M. Burton, power-of-attorney, Joseph Anthony Burton, trustee, and Anne Burton Mary C. Powers and Kyle J. Powers to Mary C. Powers, 71 Chestnut St., $65,000.

IMPORTANT NOTICE Revocable Trust to Anne Elisabeth Sayre, 10 Dana St., $925,000.

You have the right to obtain a copy of the HUNTINGTON Erold from K. Bailey Carol Y.orBailey Anna Chute and Christian Foster, 178 West Pomeroy Lane, $703,500.

Petition the and Petitioner at thetoCourt.

Christopher K. Dube and Jill A. Dube to Samantha Wetherell and Christopher Wetherell, 134 Goss Hill Road, $100.

You haveB.a Wells right and to object to this proceedDavid Jennifer G. Wells to Jessica Murphy and M. Eric Murphy, 5 Poets Corner Road, $690,000. ing.Christin To do so, you or your attorney must file C. Martin to William Leonard, 242 North East St., $270,000. NORTHAMPTON a written appearance and objection at this Frederick N. Bloom, Leslie Matlen and Frederick N. Bloom, attorney-in-fact, to Miguel Diaz and Katherine L. Gerald C. Hague, Susan C. Hague and Devin Hague, attorney-in-fact, to Ian Howes and Jessica Giammaria, 1292 Court before: 10:00 a.m. on the return day Giles-Diaz, 60 Amity Place, $555,000. Burts Pit Road, $641,500. of 08/20/2026.

Kiran Mhatre, trustee,date, Geeta trustee, and 1107 North Pleasant St 01002 Trust to Krishna Patel, 1107 North This is NOT a hearing butMhatre, a deadline Barbara Marsh to Doreen Weinberger and Claire Huttlinger, 80 Damon Road, $185,000.

by Pleasant which you St., must file a written appear$547,000. Peter K. Tur and Natalie C. Tur to Raz Gal and Rachael Workman, 249 Sylvester Road, $1,203,400. ance and objection if you object to this proSimone Caudill to Davis Caron-Vera, 58 Bradford St., $148,674. ceeding.

If you fail to file a timely written BELTCHERTOWN Jennifer L. Maybar to Rafael Bresson Da Silva Teixeira and Christina Carol Lorimer, 71 Leonard St., $460,000. appearance and objection followed by an Stephen R. Setkewich, Darlene R. Setkewich and Rodney J. Setkewich to Daniel R. Beaudette, Cold Spring Street, Chad G. Simmons and Sara A. Simmons to Jonathan Santiago and Irene Blasco Hebrero, 78 Lyman Road, Affidavit of Objections within thirty (30) $80,000. days of the return day, action may be taken $730,000.

Steven LePage and Jodie $835,000. without further notice to you.LePage to Michael Kornbluth and Maura Kornbluth, 21 Hemlock Hollow, UNSUPERVISED ADMINISTRATION UNDER SOUTH HADLEY CUMMINGTON THE MASSACHUSETTS UNIFORM PROCharles Q. Maney and Celine F. Maney to Florence Scott-Hiser and Alycia Scott-Hiser, 6 Pheasant Lane, Lyle CODE Hazel, trustee, BATE (MUPC)Janeen Romey, trustee, and Lyle Hazel Family Revocable Trust to Lyle Hazel and Lyle M. $730,000.

A Personal appointed unHazel, 47 Representative Main St., $100.

Diane C. West, Donna J. Butman and John M. West Sr., to Arthur Alves and Chloe LaDuke, 6 Center St., $375,000. der the MUPC in an unsupervised adminisHADLEY tration is not required to file an inventory or SOUTHAMPTON annual with the Court.

Johnaccounts D. Castoldi and Laurin N.Persons Castoldiinto Luqi Li and Junsi Yang, 12 Crystal Lane, $1,130,000.

Christopher M. Buell and Karen J. Buell to Michelle Charles, 10 Fitch Farm Way, $1,075,000. terested in the estate are entitled to notice Ronald R. Nester and Linda Daniel Nester to 64 North Maple Street LLC, 64 N. Maple St., and 64 North Maple St., regarding the administration directly from James E. Abel to Liam Cregan and Joanna Kalucki, 8 Jeanne Circle, $508,000. $242,000. the Personal Representative and may petiBarry Bolduc to Naples Home Buyers Inc., 199 Brickyard Road, $125,000.

Deborah Felix S. Browntotothe Xue Zhun Zhang and Yu Nan Zheng, 6 Woodlawn Road, $625,000. tion the Court in and any Thomas matter relating Andrew D. Jeffords and Natalia Jeffords to Michael Jackewich, 166 Pomeroy Meadow Road, $520,000. estate, including the distribution of assets and expenses of administration.

WITNESS, Hon. Diana S. Velez Harris, First Justice of this Court.

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