West Side Town Council passes FY27 budget
By Peter Tuohy ptuohy@thereminder.com
WEST SPRINGFIELD — The West Springfield Town Council has closed out the budgeting season with unanimous approval for fiscal year 2027.
The FY27 capital and operating budget public hearing wrapped up before the Town Council began each round of voting at the meeting on June 1.
The general fund operating budget for $138.1 million was voted on with no discussion among the council, aside from Councilor Anthony DiStefano, who gave kudos to those involved in the budget planning.
This number includes the main operating budget of $137.2 million and a non-recurring operating budget of $870,375, which are one-time expenditures that aren’t expected to repeat in future budget years.
Mayor William Reichelt said anything over $150,000 will be considered capital and anything under it will fall into the non-recurring budget. The capital fund
is set at $8.6 million.
The council also passed $7.2 million for the water enterprise fund, $6.1 million for the sewer enterprise fund and approved the intergovernmental agreement with the Springfield Water and Sewer Commission.
Councilor Frederick Connor said that the School Department budget is nearly half of the operating budget, which was recommended by Reichelt at $58.7 million, and asked about the cut staff positions and how the department moved from a level service budget to a level funded budget.
West Springfield Public Schools Superintendent Stefania Raschilla said that some positions were combined, such as the executive director of compliance taking the role of an open special education director because he already oversaw the department. The closing of Mittineague Elementary School, which was a big cut in itself, also saw a cut with a principal position.
Raschilla added that as ed-
ucators retire or don’t renew, the positions are cut out of the budget.
Resident Linda Parent had a few revenue questions during the public hearing regarding where the MassHealth reimbursements, drug rebates from the insurance company and the “Wi-Fi money” were in the budget.
Chief Financial Officer Sharon Wilcox said the reimbursements were all included in a miscellaneous line item of $100,000 in local revenue and the drug rebates were included in the health insurance appropriation and a monthly settlement statement from Blue Cross Blue Shield.
The “Wi-Fi money” was included in the broadband enterprise fund, which did pass with $2.52 million.
Connor said during the broadband enterprise discussion that fiber is moving forward at a quickening pace and that this is something to get excited about. He added that it has become very popular in town, trumpeted
by the public and the people in town government.
“Despite the delays, I’m encouraged we will move forward,” Connor said. “Although, there is a little catching up to do, we can look forward to this being a profit center at some point, I truly believe we can all look forward to that as we enjoy the fast internet service that’s coming our way.”
Councilor Diana Coyne said that everyone was focused, thoughtful and disciplined during the budget meetings and that the town is in a “whole lot better state than many of the municipalities right around us while we maintained, as best as possible, our stability, our services, our safety in our community.”
“I do look at things from a return on investment, and we’re seeing value,” Coyne said. “We’re seeing roads paved, we’re seeing our sidewalks put in … everyday, [town departments] are making impacts in everyones lives that are in this town in one way shape or another.”
AGAWAM
Flock cameras cause privacy concerns in Agawam Residents in Agawam have recently raised concerns about the installation of Flock license plate recognition cameras. Page 3
AROUND THE AREA
Velis: Burden of data centers should not fall on residents
State Sen. John Velis renewed his push for assurances that the energy and water impacts of data centers will not impact local rate payers.
5
The West Springfield Town Council approved all aspects of the fiscal year 2027 budget at its meeting on June 1. Photo credit: West Side Media
Healey, officials tour Veterans Home in Holyoke
By Tyler Garnet tgarnet@thereminder.com
HOLYOKE — The Veterans Home in Holyoke gave Gov. Maura Healey a tour of the facility six years removed from a “travesty” during the coronavirus pandemic and just months away from the opening of a new stateof-the-art facility.
Healey, Veterans Services
Secretary Eric Goralnick, Mayor Joshua Garcia, state Sen. John Velis, and state Rep. Pat Duffy visited the home on May 27 to highlight major improvements in veteran care, staffing, safety and resident satisfaction that now place the facility among the strongest long-term skilled nursing facilities in the nation, according to delegates. “We can say that this home, this home in Holyoke, is really leading the way for the rest of the country,” Healey stated.
The elected officials toured the facility alongside Executive Director Michael Lazo and Director of Nursing Kelly Jones, and met with veterans, staff and families. Throughout the tour, they discussed how investments in staffing, technology, safety and resident-centered care are improving daily life for residents. The visit comes as Healey continues to lead a transformation of veterans services across Massachusetts following years of crisis and mismanagement at the state’s veterans homes.
In spring 2020, at least 76 military veterans who lived at the Veterans’ Home at Holyoke died of COVID-19. These deaths prompted multiple investigations, terminations and resignations, regulatory reforms and lawsuits.
“What happened here in 2020 during COVID was an absolute travesty, it was a tragedy, and there was a lot of loss,” Healey stated. “I was your attorney general at the time, I was here for it, and I promised that I would do whatever I could to make that better.”
Healey created the Executive Office of Veterans Services in March 2023 to restore trust and deliver stronger care for veterans across Massachusetts.
“One of the missions we had early on was to make sure that we were doing everything that we could to turn around our veterans homes,” Healey said. “To give the staff, the teams, and the residents of our homes, in Chelsea and in Holyoke, the facility that they deserved.”
She claimed that Holyoke is one of the top-rated veterans homes in the entire country and has received a perfect rating from the Department of Veterans Affairs.
In addition to the perfect score from the Department of Veteran Services, the Veterans Home has achieved full state and federal licensure and certification from the Department of Public Health, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and the Department of Veterans Affairs. It has also posted some of the strongest clinical and quality-of-life outcomes in the country.
Healey said that the nursing-to-patient ratio is double the national average, hospitalization and emergency room visits are down nearly 50% below the national average, safety benchmarks are above the national average, and the home currently has a 100% satisfaction score from the residents.
The performance measures were drawn from internal clinical and operational data tracked by the home, veteran satisfaction surveys conducted through Pinnacle Quality Insights, and external federal reviews and safety benchmarks from the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.
In addition to the operational and clinical progress made at the Veterans Home over the last
three years, construction continues on the new Veterans Home at Holyoke as part of a $482 million investment in veterans care infrastructure in Massachusetts.
The new facility will welcome its first residents this fall, according to Healey, with full project completion expected by summer 2028. The new Veterans Home will feature 234 long-term care beds, a specialized memory care unit, and a 40-person adult day health program designed to support both residents and veterans living throughout the surrounding community.
Healey said, “We owe [veterans] the very best care; we owe their families the assurance that they will be cared for like a family, and that’s why we’ve set out to build these brand new facilities.”
Healey added that the current home in Holyoke has been transformed thanks to the staff and team.
“Touring through this facility, and I’ve been here a few times,
today, I just felt this overwhelming joy. The residents are so happy, so peaceful. You can tell that they love being here, they love one another, they love the staff, and you can see and really feel a sense of community.”
Although Goralnick applauded the executive team, staff and residents, he stated that the numbers are only part of the story.
There are currently 119 veterans who reside at the Veterans Home in Holyoke. At any given time, 40 staff members come for three shifts throughout the day. Goralnick also highlighted the team of nurse practitioners, certified nursing assistants, physical therapists, occupational therapists, dietary professionals, maintenance, social workers, administrators [and] mental health professionals.
“What makes this place special are the people,” Goralnick said. “I’ve worked at some of the finest institutions in this country, and I can say wholeheartedly, the
staff here is beyond reproach, the team here is of the highest caliber. They deliver that care with love and compassion every single day.”
Veterans Home Executive Director Michael Lazo said all the positive reviews and statistics are because of the 317 staffers who value their jobs.
Garcia also commended the staff and local and state government for helping the Veterans Home reach its current success.
“For a very long time, we always hear from people, veterans, their families, people in our communities, everywhere, talk about what is it that government is doing for them?” Garcia stated. “I think that’s a wonderful and perfectly asked question because sometimes it does feel like government isn’t doing enough, but that’s not the case here in the commonwealth of Massachusetts, particularly here at the Soldiers’ Home in the city of Holyoke.”
SO THAT REMINDS ME — On the latest episode of “So That Reminds Me”, hosts Tyler Garnet and Ryan Feyre sat down with Easthampton Mayor Salem Derby to discuss one of the most consequential votes facing the city in recent memory: a proposed $6.9 million Proposition 2½ override. To listen visit thereminder.com/ourpodcast or search
“So That Reminds Me” on your favorite podcasting platform.
Experience the local news coverage you love in a new way.
So That Reminds Me
Gov. Maura Healey and other elected officials talk about the current level of success that Veterans Home of Holyoke is experiencing after touring the facility on May 27.
Reminder Publishing photo by Tyler Garnet
Reminder Publishing photo by Chris Maza
Flock license plate cameras cause privacy concerns in Agawam
By Sarah Heinonen sheinonen@thereminder.com
AGAWAM — Picture this: It is rush hour on a weekday. Thousands of vehicles travel city streets to and from their destinations. An Amber Alert is issued, including the license plate number of a car wanted in connection. Police use license plate recognition cameras to identify the suspect’s car and the area it is in, leading to an arrest.
This is how license plate recognition technology, like the Flock Safety equipment deployed in Agawam, is supposed to be used. But while police nationwide have long availed themselves of the tool to solve crimes, Agawam residents have become wary about what they see as a potential invasion of privacy.
License plate recognition cameras use artificial intelligence to identify license plate numbers, as well as the color, make and model of vehicles. The data can be shared with other law enforcement agencies and is used to locate suspects and gather evidence of crimes.
According to the American Civil Liberties Union of Massachusetts, at least 80 of the state’s 351 cities and towns use Flock Safety equipment. However, not every municipality is a happy customer. Cambridge deactivat-
ed their Flock license plate recognition cameras and ended their contract with the company in October 2025 after two cameras were installed that the city was unaware of. There is also a debate over Flock cameras in Framingham due to privacy concerns. Over the past few months, Agawam residents have voiced similar concerns at City Council meetings. On May 18, Catherine MacDougal expressed distrust of Flock Safety, saying she felt they approach municipalities without full disclosure. She asked the council to investigate the details of the contract and how the equipment can be accessed. A resident told Reminder Publishing that the cameras have become polarizing among residents. He expressed concern, not just with Flock, but with the use of the technology as a whole, remarking that federal agencies are seeking access to traffic camera databases.
Concern about the license plate recognition cameras has grown so much that City Council President Anthony Russo has invited a member of the Police Department to the June 15 City Council meeting to answer the council’s questions about the equipment. Russo said he is reserving judgment on use of the cameras until after the meeting. “I will form my full opinion after
a representative from the Police Department comes to one of our meetings so we can get our questions answered. Talking to different police officials in the Western Mass. area and then listening to Agawam residents, I am hearing different views. So, until I get full answers to some of my concerns, I won’t have an accurate opinion.”
Use of Flock and other license plate recognition companies has become controversial in municipalities nationwide. To combat this, Flock’s website contains multiple blog posts and a frequently-asked-questions page assuring people that the product is secure. The company’s website insists that concerns about “protest-related searches or inappropriate search terms ... reflect isolated instances across thousands of agencies and millions of searches.”
Flock states that collected data is encrypted, only stored for 30 days using Amazon Web Services cloud storage and is not sold to third parties. The company emphasizes that the municipality and local law enforcement are in complete control of accessing and sharing the data. In January 2026, Flock updated its website to explicitly state, “Flock does not work with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Communities
control federal data access. ICE does not have direct access to Flock cameras, systems or data, unless the agencies that control their data expressly and deliberately allow it.”
While the company does not have a contract with ICE, until 2025, Flock had participated in pilot programs with several federal agencies. Since November 2025, any agency nationwide can self-enroll in immigration and reproductive care search filters.
Even in cases where agencies do not intentionally share Flock data with federal departments, user error can create privacy breaches. Bend, Oregon, enrolled its police department in a one-year pilot using four Flock license plate recognition cameras. In December 2025, the Oregon Law Center found that federal agencies accessed the camera database 279 times over three weeks in 2025. According to The Weekly Source, a local news outlet, a Bend police officer inadvertently left the Flock database lookup search parameters on the factory setting of “national,” rather than “state” or “local.” The municipality has since deactivated its Flock cameras and announced it will not renew its contract.
Agawam began its contract with Flock after Police Lt. Edward McGovern applied on be-
half of the department for a grant from the Massachusetts Gaming Commission’s Community Mitigation Fund to lease six license plate recognition cameras. The grant for $57,900 provides funding for a three-year lease of the units.
According to the grant application, “The department hopes to place Flock cameras strategically throughout Agawam in hopes that they will be instrumental in solving crimes.” It also stated, “These tools would enable us to study the traffic patterns of motorists by using their data analysis tools” and in “identifying suspects involved in crimes that occur within the City of Agawam and would aid the City of Springfield.”
Russo said the City Council was aware of the cameras prior to their installation. “We were told of cameras being put up. When I asked the Agawam [Police Department] about them, I was told these assist the police in the case of an amber alert and other crimes. I was also informed we were one of the only communities in the area that wasn’t using them yet,” Russo said.
Reminder Publishing reached out to Mayor Christopher Johnson about the city’s use of Flock cameras. His Chief of Staff Barbara Bard recommended attending the June 15 City Council meeting.
Eversource training for turtle preservation helps protect wildlife
AGAWAM — As part of its commitment to environmental stewardship and supporting biodiversity, Eversource today hosted its annual Turtle-Palooza. Wildlife protection training program to strengthen workers’ expertise in identifying and protecting turtles that call the company’s rightsof-way home.
With the support of wildlife experts and a specially trained turtle-sniffing dog, workers spent the day in Agawam practicing how to spot and safely relocate the turtles away from areas where vegetation management work is taking place.
“Delivering safe, reliable electric service goes hand in hand with being a responsible steward of the land we manage throughout our service territory,” said Eversource Manager of Licensing and Permitting Matthew Waldrip. “Our rights-of-way provide important habitat for a variety of wildlife species, including protected turtles. By training our crews to identify and carefully relocate these animals before work begins, we can help preserve these valuable ecosystems while continuing to maintain the electric infrastructure our customers depend on.”
Dozens of Eversource employees and contractors participated in the hands-on training to learn how to track protected
species like the Eastern Box turtles that inhabit the low-lying areas beneath the company’s electric transmission lines. The team located 15 turtles in the right-of-way over the course of the morning.
“Proper vegetation management along utility rights-of-way can play an important role in creating and sustaining habitat for some of the Commonwealth’s rare species, including the Eastern box turtle,” said Jesse Leddick, assistant director of MassWildlife’s Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program. “Eversource’s annual training helps ensure field crews are prepared to recognize suitable turtle habitat, locate turtles in work areas, and move them safely when necessary. We value our partnership with Eversource and the shared commitment to meeting energy infrastructure needs while advancing proactive wildlife conservation.”
Eversource conducts vegetation management throughout the year to help ensure the safe and reliable delivery of electricity. These low-growth corridors also provide important habitat for a
wide range of reptiles, amphibians and other wildlife, making programs like Turtle-Palooza an important part of the company’s environmental stewardship efforts. Learn more about the energy company’s commitment to environmental stewardship and wildlife protection. Customers can also explore the company’s free Herptiles Guide, to learn about the many reptiles and amphibians that call Eversource rights-of-way home.
WEST SPRINGFIELD
Storrowton Village Museum launches membership program
WEST SPRINGFIELD — Storrowton Village Museum of West Springfield has launched a membership program, called “Friends of the Storrowton Village.”
Members receive exclusive perks during each of the historic site’s year-round programs and special events, and all proceeds help sustain the organization’s mission, which is to preserve and pass on 18th and 19th-century New England heritage.
The immersive museum is a reconstructed village of nine authentic 18th and 19th century buildings from Massachusetts and New Hampshire assembled around a traditional town green. Located on the grounds of Eastern States Exposition, Storrowton offer hands-on educational programs and guided tours to share the history and traditions of New England to audiences of all ages.
Storrowton Village Museum offers a bustling calendar of
events that positively impact and educate countless visitors each year. In 2025, they welcomed approximately 1,500 students from 24 different educational institutions for tours of the historic village. This does not include all the 600 individuals that attended Maple Harvest Day and Pancake Breakfast this spring, the 1.6 million guests that visit The Big E or numerous individuals that attend their year-round events calendar, including Yuletide, Ghost Tours and more.
When you invest in this membership program as an individual or family, you help maintain the historic buildings and landscape, ensure access to local history for the community and sustain their abundance of programming and living history demonstrations.
In return, members receive:
Individual membership
• One pancake breakfast at Ma-
ple Harvest Day and Pancake Breakfast
• One admission for a Guided Tour during the Summer Tour season or Yuletide Tour season
• One admission for a Ghost Tour or Spirits of Christmas Past Ghost Tour
• One limited-edition ornament during Yuletide
• 20% discount on one additional admission to all events
• 20% discount on one children’s registration for Early American Summer Days
• 20% discount on Storrowton Village exclusive merchandise
• Access to the members-only portal with historic resources, activities and recorded lectures
Family membership Four pancake breakfasts on Maple Harvest Day (two adults & two children)
Four admissions for a Guided Tour during the Summer Tour
season or Yuletide Tour season with a hands-on activity for two children
• Four admissions to Family Camp Day
• Two entries in our Yuletide Gingerbread House Contest
• Two limited-edition ornaments during Yuletide
• 20% discount on one additional admission to all events 20% discount on two children’s registrations for Early American Summer Days 20% discount on Storrowton Village exclusive merchandise
• Access to our members-only portal with historic resources, activities and recorded lectures Rates and further details are available now through StorrowtonVillage.com. Have you missed key events for the year?
Not to fret! Acceptance is rolling, so your membership begins a month from your date of purchase. Therefore, you will not
miss a single occasion. Secure your perks today to ensure the longevity of this local treasure, which is near and dear to the hearts of many.
Eighteen local firefighters graduate from Springfield academy
SPRINGFIELD — State Fire
Marshal Jon M. Davine and Massachusetts Firefighting Academy leadership on June 2 announced the graduation of 18 firefighters from the 50-day Career Recruit Firefighting Training Program.
Career Recruit Class S45’s original graduation date was initially scheduled for June 1 but was pushed back by one day so students and staff could attend the funeral of Boston Firefighter Robert T. Kilduff Jr., who died in the line of duty on May 23.
“Massachusetts firefighters commit themselves to protecting their communities and each other from every kind of hazard,” said State Fire Marshal Davine. “We can never forget the danger that these men and women confront in service to others. We can never lose sight of the risk to their life and safety. And we must always remember those brave souls who make the ultimate sacrifice so that others might live.”
These graduating firefighters represent the fire departments of Bellingham, Chicopee, North Adams, Palmer, Pittsfield, Springfield, Ware and West Springfield.
The graduates from the West Springfield Fire Department include Jordan DeMedeiros and Kevin Lee.
The Richard N. Bangs Outstanding Student Award, which is presented to one recruit in each graduating career recruit training class, was presented to Firefighter Angel Reyes of Springfield Fire & Emergency Services. The award is named for a longtime chair of the Massachusetts Fire Training Council and reflects the recruit’s academic and practical skills, testing and evaluations over the course of the 10week program.
Students receive classroom training in all basic firefighter skills. They practice first under non-fire conditions and then during controlled fire conditions. To graduate, students must demonstrate proficiency in life safety, search and rescue, ladder operations, water supply, pump operation and fire attack. Fire attack operations range from mailbox fires to multiple-floor or multiple-room structural fires.
Upon successful completion of the Career Recruit Program, all students have met the national
standards of NFPA 1010, Standard for Fire Fighter Professional Qualifications, and are certified to the levels of Firefighter I/II and Hazardous Materials First Responder Operations by the Massachusetts Fire Training Council, which is accredited by the National Board on Fire Service Professional Qualifications. Today’s firefighters do much more than fight fires: They train for and respond to all types of hazards and emergencies. They are the first ones called to respond to chemical and environ-
mental emergencies, ranging from the suspected presence of carbon monoxide to gas leaks to industrial chemical spills. They may be called to rescue a child who has fallen through the ice, an office worker stuck in an elevator or a motorist trapped in a crashed vehicle. They test and maintain their equipment, including self-contained breathing apparatus, hydrants, hoses, power tools and apparatus.
At the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy, recruits learn all these skills and more, includ-
ing the latest science of fire behavior and suppression tactics, from certified fire instructors. They also receive training in public fire education, hazardous material incident mitigation, flammable liquids, stress management and self-rescue techniques.
The MFA provides recruit and in-service training for career, call and volunteer firefighters at every level of experience, from recruit to chief officer, at campuses in Stow, Springfield and Bridgewater.
Whip City Fiber to host streaming workshop, announces service expansion
WEST SPRINGFIELD —
Whip City Fiber, West Springfield’s locally owned gigabit fiber internet provider, will host a free streaming workshop on Monday, June 15, at 1 p.m. at the West Springfield Council on Aging. The event is open to all residents and will offer hands on guidance and answers to questions about streaming and connecting to WCF’s service.
Attendees can expect to learn how to get the most out of streaming services on Whip City Fiber’s high-speed fiber network, with staff on hand to walk through setup, troubleshooting, and tips for cutting the cord.
The workshop comes as Whip City Fiber prepares for an ambitious expansion, with fiber services slated to reach dozens of additional West Springfield streets throughout 2026.
“The Streaming Workshop at the West Springfield Council on Aging is a reflection of our commitment to meeting residents where they are,” said Tom Flaherty, general manager of Westfield Gas & Electric/Whip City Fiber. “As we expand service to dozens of new streets throughout 2026, we want the community to feel informed, supported, and ready to make the switch. Whip City Fiber is West Springfield’s network. Built for this community, by this community.”
Service coming this summer Residents on the following streets can expect service availability in the coming months: Bascom Street, Belmont Avenue, Brookline Avenie, Ely Avenie, Gilbert Street, Humphrey Lane, Plymouth Terrace, Salem Street, Thompson Streey, Virginia Ave-
nue and Westfield Streey, as well as Adrian Avenue, Almon Avenue, Banks Avenue, Bonair Avenue, Central Miami Street, Craiwell Avenue, Dale Street, Hill Top Street, Orchardview Streey, and Pilgrim Road.
Service coming this fall Fiber expansion will continue into fall, bringing service to Audubon Avenue, Belknap Avenue, Browning Avenue, Buckingham Avenue, Chilson Roadd, Clyde Avenue, Gaskill Avenue, Hathorne Avenue, Hillcrest Avenue, Homer Street, Locust Street, Miami Street and Sibley Avenue, along with Amostown Road, Autumn Road, Galaska Street, Heritage Lane, Homestead Avenue, Larivee Lane, Massachusetts Avenue, Paulson Drive, Penrose Drive, Ridgeview Road and Sagamore Road, and Grang-
er Place, Lancaster Avenue, North Street, Oxford Place, Talcott Avenue, Vernon Place, Willard Place, Wistaria Street, and Woodmont Street.
Service by end of 2026 Whip City Fiber’s buildout is on track to reach even more neighborhoods before year’s end, including streets across multiple areas of West Springfield: Amostown Road, Chester Street, Crestview Street, Piper Road, Kent Street, Laurence Drive, Lincoln Street, Lynne Drive, Morton Street, Ryan Drive, Smyrna Street, Wilbert, and Birch Park Circle; Ashley Street, Brooks Place, Dion Drive, Dorwin Drive, Elm Avenie, Nelson Street, Fenor Street, Glenview Drive, Guy Place, Johnson Street, Lyman Street, Murray Place, Nelson Circle, Park Drive, Silver Street and Terry Road; Bass Avenue,
Cass Avenue, Cedar Avenue, Forris Street, Greenleaf Avenue, Kings Highway, Lewis Avenue, Lower Mass Avenue, Maple Terrace, Pine Street, Prince Avenue, Queen Avenue, Thomas Drive and Westfield Street; Ames Avenue, First Street, Front Street, Healy Street, Lee Lang Terrace, Prospect Street, Second Street, Shepard Street, Smith Avenue, Summit Street, Upper Church Street, West Street and Westfield Street; and Albert Street, Benedict Street, Christine Drive, E Gooseberry Road, Lancaster Avenue, Lennys Way, Verdugo Street, Virginia Avenue, W Autumn Road and Woodmont St. For more information, visit whipcityfiber.com/west-side, or contact the customer service team at customerservice@whipcityfiber.com.
Dina Mead, a loyal volunteer at Storrowton Village Museum, demonstrates open-hearth cooking for a group of eager visitors. Reminder Publishing submitted photo
Eighteen local firefighters recently graduated from the Firefighting Academy on June 2. Reminder Publishing submitted photo.
TOWN EVENTS
Please email your community listings to: dhackett@thereminder.com Items are printed on a space available basis.
AGAWAM
AGAWAM PUBLIC LIBRARY
The following events are organized by the Agawam Public Library, located at 750 Cooper St. All events are free and open to the public. Some programs require registration. For more information or to register, head to agawamlibrary.org or call 413-789-1550 ext. 3. The library will be closed on Friday, June 19 to celebrate the Juneteenth holiday.
• Library Tech: Getting Started with Beanstack — Wednesday June 17 at 6:30 p.m.
• Virtual Author Talk: Ted Page — Thursday, June 18 at 2 p.m. Storyteller and popular blogger Ted Page will discuss his book “Good Grandpa: Stories from the Heart of Grandfatherhood.”
The Most Proper Spot in America: The Continental Arsenal at Springfield — Thursday, June 18, at 6:30 p.m.
Join Springfield Armory NHS
Curator Alex MacKenzie as he reveals the hidden stories
of the Continental Arsenal at Springfield and the contributions of the region to American independence! Please register to attend.
FRIENDS OF THE MA VETERANS MEMORIAL
CEMETERY MEETING
The Friends of the Massachusetts Veterans Memorial Cemetery at Agawam invite the public to attend their upcoming meeting. Community members and supporters are encouraged to attend to learn more about the organization and receive updates on The Friends’ ongoing activities and projects. Community input is encouraged. We also welcome memories of veterans you have known or reflections on your own military service. If you prefer not to speak publicly, we will gladly read your written comments. The meeting will be held on Wednesday, June 17, at the Agawam Senior Center, 954 Main St. Doors open at 5:30 p.m., the meeting begins at 6 p.m. For easier access, please use the back entrance to the lower level. For questions, contact the Friends via their website at agawamfriends.org or email them at agawamfriends@gmail. com.
STRAWBERRY SHORTCAKE
LUNCHEON
Community Grange 382 of Feeding Hills will hold a Strawberry
Shortcake Luncheon to-go on Saturday, June 20. The Grange Hall is located at 47 N. West St. in Feeding Hills. Pick-up hours will be 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. The menu will consist of a freshly made sandwich of your choice served with macaroni salad and baked beans. Dessert will be a strawberry shortcake and a beverage will also be included. Donation is $14.00. Please pre-order your meal(s) by calling 413-789-2061. The last day for orders is June 18. Proceeds will benefit 2026 community projects and building fund.
WEST SPRINGFIELD
WEST SPRINGFIELD
PUBLIC LIBRARY
The following events are organized by the West Springfield Public Library, located at 200 Park St. For more information or to register for programs, visit wspl.org or call 413-736-4561, ext. 4. The library will be closed on Friday, June 19 to celebrate the Juneteenth holiday. Adult programs: Tech Help — Thursday, June 18, from 2-4 p.m. The library provides guided assistance for questions about your mobile device or laptop during a 30-minute appointment. Call 413-736-456, ext. 3, to register for your time spot. Registration required. Kids programs:
LEGO Creations (for ages 5-8) — Tuesday, June 16, from 3:30-4:30 p.m. What does the “Summer Fun” challenge inspire you to create with Legos? LEGO Club (for ages 9-12) — Thursday, June 18, from 3:304:30 p.m. The challenge this month is “Summer Fun Challenge.”
COIN CLUB MEETING
The West Springfield Coin Club will meet on Sunday, June 14, at 7 p.m. in the Mittineague Congregational Church, 1840 Westfield St. A presentation and discussion will include facts about the U.S. Three Cent piece from the 1860s. Refreshments will be available. Guests are always welcome. For further information, contact Peter Setian at 413-596-9871.
WSPL FRIENDS JUNE MINI BOOK SALE
The Friends of the West Springfield Public Library will be holding a Mini Book Sale on Wednesday, June 17, from noon to 2 p.m. on the library’s porch entryway. In case of inclement weather, the sale will be held in the library’s Community Room. Several genres of adult and children’s books will be available (hardcover books for $1, and softcover books for 50 cents), with proceeds benefiting the library. The library is located at 200 Park St.
Velis: Burden of data centers should not fall on residents
By Chris Maza cmaza@thereminder.com
WESTFIELD — Acknowledging that the use of artificial intelligence and the need for supporting data centers are not only becoming a fact of life but also a potential economic boon for the state, state Sen. John Velis renewed his push for assurances that the energy and water impacts of these centers do not impact local rate payers.
The Executive Office of Economic Development issued final regulations for new tax incentive programs designed to entice investors in the emerging technology to develop data centers in the state in March.
“I firmly believe that Massachusetts needs to continue to be a leader of technological innovation and advancement; in fact I think it is vital for Massachusetts to remain a competitive with other states however, these advances cannot be born on the backs of residents,” Velis said in a statement on June 2. “Today’s costs already put enough strain on residents’ wallets, and that is why I firmly believe that any costs associated with data centers should fall squarely on the facilities that
are directly responsible for the increased usage.”
Among the potential projects is a $2.75 billion center on a 10-acre parcel on Servisar Industrial Way in Westfield, proposed by Westmass Area Development Corp.
With rising energy rates already a concern for local consumers, Thomas Flaherty, general manager for Westfield Gas & Electric, told The Republican earlier this year that the power draw from such a development would be the equivalent of the peak load required for the entire city of Westfield — 85 megawatts.
Another set of developers are proposing a $200 million, 20-megawatt data center for a vacant property in Holyoke on the Connecticut River. Historically known as the Hampden Papers complex, which closed after 140 years in business in 2022, it was most recently the home of a cannabis growing facility. That project, which developers say involves an orphaned power supply, is smaller and would require only approximately 20 megawatts.
Velis, a Democrat from Westfield whose district also includes Holyoke, penned a pair of letters to the Executive Office of Economic Development expressing
concerns about the potential energy strain posed by data centers. He sent the first letter in October 2025 as the EOED was developing the regulations. The final regulations require any developer applying for state tax incentive program to provide information on peak energy demand. Following the release of the regulations in March, Velis reiterated in an April letter that “costs associated with increased energy usage or consumption should absolutely not fall to the residents of our communities”.
The City Council scheduled a June 18 public hearing on a proposed 12-month moratorium on data centers in the city of Westfield. City Councilor Kristen Mello, chair of the Natural Resources
Subcommittee, presented the motion, which also called for sharing the proposal with the Planning Board, passed unanimously.
Mello said she had drafted what a moratorium for data centers would look like, giving the same definition as the one used by the state. She said a moratorium must state a specific time frame, exactly what the council needs the time for, and what they are going to do in that time. She said the draft asks for a year, extendable only if public health is in danger, which will allow the city to look at what the environmental and public health consequences of these installations are and to get expert information on where in the city they can go without causing danger.
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Agawam scores a championship point and Tim Karcha (11) and the Brownies celebrate.
Vladislav Duducal, Cam Saroglou and Hunter Dean (L-R) cheer as the Brownies score a first set point.
Dominic Manes contributed 20 assists toward Agawam’s victory.
Dominic Manes (15) and Chase Gerani combine for the block, tying the second set at 7-7.
Agawam’s Eli Ramos reacts after his brilliant dig staves off match point for Westfield and ties the fifth set 14-14.
Agawam Captains Eli Ramos (8), Tim Karcha (11), Chase Gerani and Mike Lukomski (4) show off the championship plaque.
All of your favorite high school sports photos are now available for purchase!
AGAWAM VS WESTFIELD
VOLLEYBALL
In a match held at West Spring field High School on May 21, Agawam defeated Westfield 3-2 to earn the PVIAC WMass Class “A” boys volleyball championship.
Agawam’s Tim Karcha goes for the block against Westfield’s Zachary Maslar.
David Zhmiadziak registers one of his 10 kills for the Brownies.
Jacob Nessen receives serve during the fourth set.
The Agawam Brownies - 2026 Western Mass. Class “A” boys volleyball champions.
Agawam/West Springfield CROP Hunger Walk was a success
The annual Agawam/West Springfield CROP Hunger Walk took place on a beautiful Sunday in April. It was a great success, raising $13,000 to fight food insecurity both locally and globally! CROP Hunger Walks are a community’s way of bringing about justice for all by raising funds to address the
LETTERS
root causes of hunger and poverty for neighbors locally and throughout the world. The walks are a ministry of Church World Service (CWS) and each Walk designates a local hunger fighting agency to support. CWS receives 75% of funds raised and the Parish Cupboard in West Springfield, which serves Agawam, Feeding Hills and West Springfield residents, receives 25%.
The CROP Hunger Walk planners would like to thank Agawam Congregational Church and the Agawam Lions Club for host-
ing the event this year. The Back Row Band from Grace Lutheran Church offered their musical talents while walkers ate lunch, participated in raffles and visited with one another. The planners are also grateful to the following businesses for their support: Cafe Tamra in West Springfield, Java Stop in Agawam, JJ’s Soft Serve and More in Feeding Hills, the Springfield Thunderbirds, and Ye Olde Butcher Shoppe in West Springfield. Our local event could not take place without the support of faith
communities! Agawam Congregational, Agawam Methodist, Feeding Hills Congregational, First Congregational in West Springfield, Grace Lutheran and Good Shepherd in West Springfield, the Islamic Society of Western MA, St. Davids Episcopal in Feeding Hills, and West Springfield United Methodist all put together teams of walkers and raised money from many supporters.
The planners wish to highlight with heartfelt gratitude the participation of Lazzeri Alexander of West Springfield United Method-
ist Church. Ms. Alexander, now in her nineties, has not missed a CROP Hunger Walk since the local event began more than 35 years ago! She is an inspiration to us all! About seventy walkers of all ages (a few that were four-legged and leashed!) walked together this April to end hunger. Faith communities, organizations and individuals are invited to join us in April, 2027!
Diana Forfa Coordinator, Agawam/West Springfield CROP Hunger Walk
Treasurer Goldberg, ABCC launch ‘Operation Safe Prom and Graduation’
BOSTON — The Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission, under the direction of State Treasurer Deborah B. Goldberg, is undertaking an enhanced intervention and enforcement effort. The annual Operation Safe Prom and Graduation initiative is designed to raise awareness of the dangers of underage drinking during high school prom and graduation season, to prevent tragedies.
“As the end of the school year
approaches for our high school students across the state, Operation Safe Prom and Graduation helps remind students and parents about the real risks of underage drinking,” said Goldberg, who oversees the ABCC. “We hope by raising awareness, we can promote responsible choices for our state’s young people.”
The initiative’s enforcement efforts focus primarily on suburban communities that are at risk of high rates of underage drink-
ing. The program focuses on prevention, with investigators often calling the underage person’s parents when violations occur.
ABCC officials say that most parents are unaware that their children are involved in the use of alcohol, and that intervention is a powerful tool toward family involvement in addressing the problem of underage drinking.
“Our goal with Operation Safe Prom and Graduation is to keep alcoholic beverages out of
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.
AGAWAM
Pamela E. Buoniconti
Jeffrey Scott Diduk
Alexandra G. Orr
FEEDING HILLS
Eva Jack
William M. Lemoine
the hands of Massachusetts high school students to protect them and others in the community, while at the same time drawing attention to the dangers of underage drinking” said Jean Lorizio, chair of the ABCC. “We hope to spread awareness of the dangers of underage drinking, and the devastating consequences drinking alcohol could have for underage people and their loved ones.”
Massachusetts IMPACT impaired driving data shows that 10% of all traffic fatalities involve drivers under the age of 21. Massachusetts is among the
top 10 states for binge drinking, with more than 1 in 4 (27.75%) adults age 18 or older reporting they binged on alcohol in 2020. Among young people ages 12 to 20, 20.77% reported alcohol use in the past month and 11.81% reported binge alcohol use in the past month in Massachusetts. The national averages were 17.32% and 10.14%, respectively.
One in three (33.86%) substance abuse treatment admissions among persons aged 12 and older in 2019 in Massachusetts were alcohol related.
OTIS
Theodore G. LaBonte SOUTHWICK
Thomas E. LaPolice
WEST SPRINGFIELD
Jeffrey Paul “Jeff” Clark
Wilhelmina Hall
Virginia Louise “Ginny” Joslin
Christine M. Lapinski
WESTFIELD
Michael J. Garcia
Erik D. Nordstrom
DINING ENTERTAINMENT
‘La Casita Experience’ to transform MassMutual Center
By Peter Tuohy ptuohy@thereminder.com
SPRINGFIELD — The MassMutual Center will soon host one big celebration of community, blending music and dance, live performances, DJ sets and interactive visuals to represent the high energy nightlife experience rooted in Puerto Rican culture.
“La Casita Experience” rolls into Springfield on June 27, with doors opening at 6 p.m. and the event at 7 p.m. Tickets are $39 for general admission and $67 for VIP.
The event is inspired by the traditional casita, which translates to “little house,” but culturally represents a deep symbol of home and community. Venues are transformed into immersive Caribbean environments where culture lives and breathes, with a custom-built casita structure surrounded by live salsa, bomba y plena performances and nonstop reggaeton.
It is the work of MLopez Promotions, a full service event pro-
duction and entertainment company, created by Marcos Lopez, that has created high quality live experiences across the northeast for over a decade.
The mission of “La Casita Experience” is to “create cultural experiences to authentically represent Puerto Rican heritage and empower local communities by providing opportunities for artists, vendors and creatives to showcase their talent,” a press release said.
“‘La Casita Experience’ is more than just a cultural event, it is a movement that inspires pride, fosters unity and leaves a lasting legacy of cultural appreciation and community empowerment,” the release stated.
The event is following massive success in Rochester, New York, where it sold out to over 1,000 patrons. It makes a stop in Buffalo, New York, before heading to Springfield.
Jessica Del Valle, who was brought in to assist with marketing and communications for the event, said it’s partly rooted
in the experience of a Bad Bunny concert and aligns with the concept of promoting culture, ambiance and the traditions of Puerto Rico.
Bad Bunny, whose real name is Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, recently transformed the field at the 2026 Super Bowl’s Apple Music Halftime Show into a full casita experience, similar to this event, that blended many aspects of Puerto Rican life and culture.
“This is just a whole vibrant event that really inspires, fosters unity and leads a legacy of cultural appreciation and community empowerment,” Del Valle said. “Anyone that appreciates diversity and enjoys embracing cultural diversity, music, rhythm, will definitely engage with and appreciate the experience. It’s a very colorful and vibrant experience … it’s basically the unity, community and tolerance in a festive ambiance, in a safe space where music and dances and artistic values can be combined.”
She said the experience in Springfield will be larger than
previous shows, so they’re excited to build the space with the “ambiance that people enjoy.”
“There’s usually good Puerto Rican food and there are a lot of surprises that we try to implement in every city that we go to,” Del Valle said.”
She gave special recognition to the MassMutual Center, Springfield Downtown, and the Springfield Puerto Rican Parade for giving support to the event. Tickets can be purchased at massmutualcenter.com/events/ detail/lacasitaexperience.
Shakespeare production to benefit Center for New Americans
NORTHAMPTON — Reservations are going fast for Valley Players’ music-, magic- and dancing-filled production of “The Tempest,” with half of net ticket sales to be donated to the Center for New Americans to support immigrant and refugee families in the Valley.
The will show go up as a picnic-theater performance at Black Birch Vineyard, 108 Straits Road, Hatfield, on June 11, 12, 19, and 20 at 6:30 p.m. and June 21 at 5:30 p.m. There will also be a one-time performance at the Northampton Center for the Arts, 33 Hawley St., on June 13 at 4:30 p.m.
Tickets are on a pay-what-youcan scale starting at $15 and can be booked at valleyplayers.org. While the June 11 and 12 performances are currently sold out, more tickets may become available for those shows depending on the weather. If more tickets open for those shows, notice will be posted at valleyplayers.org and through Valley Players’ social media and email list.
Guests to the performances at Black Birch can bring a meal to enjoy during the show or can grab an artisanal pizza from The Vintner’s Slice food truck, as well as choose from a selection of fine wines and other drinks, including non-alcoholic options, from Black Birch Vineyard.
“In our production, there’s something for everyone,” Franks said. “Young love requited, old
men vindicated, frolicking fools and goddesses dancing. The audience can relax in a bucolic setting with a picnic and wine, and imagine being at London’s open-air Globe playhouse as our players bring to life Shakespeare’s beautiful words and vision at sunset in the Vineyard.”
“Part of Valley Players’ mission is to build community through community theater,” noted Pangallo, which is why the group donates half of net ticket revenue from each
show to another Valley nonprofit with a mission that aligns with the story or themes of the play.
“‘The Tempest’ shows that the power of compassion and being welcoming is greater even than any magical power,” Pangallo explained, “and that what makes us human is our capacity for empathy.” Because of this, and because the play centers on cultural contact, the plight of the stranger and the power of language, Valley Players decided to use this production to
Steak
support the Center for New Americans. “It was a natural fit,” Pangallo said, “and given the context of our own historical moment, we felt it important to support the crucial work being done by CNA.”
The Center for New Americans
has been welcoming and serving immigrants in western Massachusetts for nearly 35 years by providing free classes in English, instruction in digital literacy, civics and employment searching, and lowcost immigration legal services.
The “La Casita Experience” event in Rochester, New York, in March. Reminder Publishing submitted photo
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