Council approves funding for golf course walk-in cooler
A mayor’s order totaling $69,250 for a new walk-in cooler and a permanent pad for the freezer at the Chicopee Country Club golf course sparked much debate during the Feb. 17 City Council meeting.
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Harmony House highlights generosity, gives 2026 outlook
The Harmony House of Western Massachusetts was in need of items listed on its Feb. 4 Amazon wishlist, including toilet paper and exam gloves.
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SOUTH HADLEY
South Hadley maintains same trash fee for FY27
The Selectboard decided at its Feb. 17 meeting to maintain the current curbside collection rate of $250 per household and increase the sewer rate to $525 per household in fiscal year 2027.
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SATURDAY, MARCH 7
Chicopee unveils new technology at RTIC
By Tyler Garnet tgarnet@thereminder.com
CHICOPEE — The Chicopee
Police Department, with support from the mayor’s office and Hampden County Sheriff’s Office, hosted a press conference on Feb. 18 to introduce the department’s Real Time Information Center.
Mayor John Vieau, interim Police Chief Eric Watson, Hampden County Sheriff Nick Cocchi and RTIC Director Bill Schwartz were among the many who shared information and benefits of the RTIC.
The RTIC, which was founded in 2025, aims to strengthen the department’s ability to organize, verify and share critical information during serious incidents and investigations. The center provides real-time operational support, investigative assistance and crime analysis, serving as a centralized hub where information can be rapidly accessed, analyzed and shared.
The operations center covers any public safety matter from major to minor and operates on an incident driven model. Camera systems, digital evidence tools and investigative databases are used only to support active incidents, emergencies or investigations.
The system also incorporates the use of artificial intelligence to help the analysts work with the officers to try to identify a person or vehicle report in a crime. Analysts can also step in to help communicate with other officers during a pursuit.
Watson had a message for residents who think the technology could be an invasion of people’s privacy.
“We’re not here to monitor the cameras and surveil anybody,” he
tion Center Director Bill
shares the features and technology that the department has available to help solve crimes and improve public safety.
explained. “We’re responding to public safety emergencies. It’s not something that [the analysts] are staring at, looking at. We’re not looking at any private areas. Everywhere where those cameras look are somewhere where we could be out on the street and watching.”
Watson also discussed another public safety initiative that allows businesses and/or residents to share their cameras with the RTIC. He said Connect Chicop-
ee is the city’s next generation neighborhood watch. It is 100% voluntary with two ways to participate. Residents can register their camera to let the RTIC know that it exists and where it is located. The registration creates a way for the RTIC or investigators to request that the owner review or voluntarily provide footage if a serious incident occurs nearby.
Residents can also integrate the camera, which means live ac-
cess can be enabled for a specific public safety purpose. Access is limited to public-facing areas and only to specific cameras the owner agrees to make available. Registered cameras do not provide live access, and integrated cameras are not monitored on a routine basis.
Readers interested in registering or integrating a camera system with the Chicopee Police De-
Top: Interim Chief Eric Watson talks about the department’s Real Time Information Center and how it helps serve the community and officers. Below, from left: Mayor John Vieau talks about how the Real Time Information Center can help improve the safety for those who live in Chicopee. Real Time Informa-
Schwartz
Reminder Publishing photos by Tyler Garnet See
Healey, Driscoll make Holyoke campaign stop
By Tyler Garnet tgarnet@thereminder.com
HOLYOKE
— On Feb. 17, Gov. Maura Healey and Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll visited the International Volleyball Hall of Fame in Holyoke as part of two campaign stops in Western Massachusetts.
The stop in Holyoke and the one later that day in North Adams provided Healey and Driscoll the opportunity to discuss state investments in new housing projects and local arts and culture, in addition to the duo’s affordability agenda and their reelection campaign.
“The bottom line is both Kim and I feel incredibly privileged to be in these positions,” Healey stated. “We also deeply, deeply love our state, and we want to work and stand shoulder to shoulder with everyone and anyone who believes in our state and who wants better for their community, for their family, and we’ll work so, so hard to get that done.”
Holyoke Mayor Joshua Garcia opened the event by endorsing the duo and highlighting some of the work they and the state have done to help Holyoke achieve certain goals. He specifically highlighted advancements in housing, regaining local control for its school district and construction advancements at the Victory Theatre as major milestones in the community.
Garcia recalled a similar event four years ago at the Victory Theatre in Holyoke, where he first endorsed Healey for governor.
“Today, I stand here once again alongside our governor to reaffirm my full support for Gov.
Technology
Continued from page 1
partment or to learn more about Connect Chicopee, can visit con-
Maura Healey and Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll as they seek reelection, because their leadership has been clear, their vision has been strong and their commitment to not only Holyoke, but communities everywhere in the commonwealth.”
Other legislators at the event endorsed Healey and Driscoll, including state Reps. Pat Duffy and Brian Ashe, Easthampton Mayor Salem Derby, Holyoke City Council President Tessa Murphy-Romboletti and Holyoke City Councilor Juan Anderson-Burgos.
Healey emphasized some important accomplishments from her first term, including tax cuts, the passage of a “historic” housing bill, and improvements in health care costs and economic development.
Healey said the housing bill has resulted in 100,000 housing starts, in other words, new housing units either built, permitted or constructed around the state in the last three years. She further explained that experts said when they started, Massachusetts needed to build about 220,000 units around the state by 2035 to get to where they need to be.
“We’re focused on affordability, we’re focused on building more homes as quickly as we can to drive down costs,” Healey said. “Build more housing, we drive down costs.”
First-time homebuyers can also receive $25,000 towards the purchase of a new home. Healey also recently announced an increase in the production of Accessory Dwelling Units in Massachusetts to expand housing options, support homeowners and increase affordable housing.
nectchicopee.org and follow the instructions.
Watson said, “Even if you don’t want to integrate cameras, we’d like you to register them so we can send a message to you,
For economic development, Healey talked about a key economic driver in the state.
“One thing that we’re really excited about in this region is the opportunity for more investment in arts and culture. This is a great example. What Victory Theatre is going to yield; what that’s going to become is just going to be so awesome,” Healey said.
Healey also announced that her administration is focused on lowering the cost of energy bills. “Standing up to utility companies, we’ll oppose any rate hikes out there. I filed energy legislation, which will reduce energy costs by $13 billion.”
Healey discussed the completion of the New England Clean Energy Connect transmission line that is now delivering affordable, stable hydropower from Canada to Massachusetts. According to mass.gov, the NECEC line will provide Massachusetts with nearly 20% of its overall electricity, deliver $3.38 billion in total net economic benefits to Massachusetts ratepayers over the life of the contracts and reduce ratepayer bills by around $50 million each year.
On the topic of health care, Healey said they are the first team to eliminate copays and deductibles for people on their health care. They also recently got rid of prior authorizations for “a whole bunch of staff.”
She explained, “If you got diabetes, you no longer have to wait for some insurance company to OK your receiving insulin. We’re trying to make it easier for people to get access to care, and we fundamentally believe in this. At a moment where the president
‘hey something happened on your street, can you check your cameras for it?’”
Watson said they are also working to integrate the schools’ cameras and have a “good”
and Congress have taken a trillion dollars out of health care, we stand here united in support of making sure that we’re doing everything we can to get health care to our residents who need it.”
When it comes to the federal administration, Healey said they will continue to look for ways to work with them, but stated, “Where the president and federal administration do things to harm people, we’re going to stand up and defend Massachusetts.”
She continued, “I’m excited about some of what we’ve been able to accomplish. We know that these are hard and challenging times. Both of us were college basketball players, so we do a little bit about taking lumps and getting back up and throwing the necessary elbow when necessary, or pick when necessary, but fundamentally, whether it’s volleyball or basketball, it’s about teamwork, and that’s the vibe we’ll continue to bring, not only
framework for a memorandum of understanding to allow the department to use the outside cameras for public safety purposes and the inside cameras for public safety emergencies.
Schwartz, Vieau and Watson all mentioned their hopes for the RTIC serving as a regional example. They said they hope other agencies can either join or integrate their cameras to help support overall public safety.
Watson emphasized the importance of video for solving a crime. “The data is clear, video is the single most powerful predictor of whether a crime will be solved,” he stated. He further explained that locating any video associated with a case increases the odds of a resolution by over 400%. If that video captures the incident itself, those odds jump to over 600%. Even context like a “fleeing vehicle” makes the department 300% more likely to solve the case.
The RTIC features several staff members, including Director William Schwartz — a detective — an IT support position and four analysts, three of whom are embedded at the operation’s center thanks to the Hampden County Sherrif’s Department.
Cocchi shared his thoughts on why the center is so important in Chicopee and Western Massachusetts.
“Today represents what modern, responsible public safety
to the campaign — as we seek to grow more support — but also to the that way we look to govern.”
Driscoll said she and Healey work hard to make sure the decisions they make at the State House reflect the needs of each community in Massachusetts as they continue to uplift and empower local governments.
“We can have the best policies, and I think we have a lot of them. We can make significant investments in things like housing and infrastructure, but none of that gets done unless we [have] a strong team locally,” Driscoll said. “That’s why it’s such a privilege to be serving in a time when we have the ability to work with amazing leaders, shape policies, shift resources, and do things that are going to help communities lower costs, drive high quality of life, and make Massachusetts the best place to live to raise a family [and] to come visit.”
looks like,” he said. “Partnership, technology used the right way, and a shared commitment to protecting our communities.
Across the country, more than 150 real-time crime centers are operating, and the number continues to grow. Cocchi said, “That number continues to grow because the results are clear, faster investigations, better evidence preservation and stronger accountability.”
Many success stories were shared throughout the event where the RTIC and technology helped expedite a situation. Watson shared one where the analysts resolved a missing person case in just 10 minutes. The individual had been wandering around Chicopee for 36 hours, and the analysts were able to locate him before the officer could even finish the report.
There were other instances shared where robberies were also quickly solved after the victim reported the incident.
Vieau stated, “What we’ve learned about crime is it doesn’t have boundaries. Here in the city of Chicopee, we want to make sure that when you put your head down on your pillow at night you feel safe, and I believe that’s what we’re doing. I want all the bad guys to know that if you come to Chicopee, you’re not getting away with a crime. That’s really the message that I hope everyone hears.”
Gov. Maura Healey discusses some accomplishments during her current term while at the International Volleyball Hall of Fame in Holyoke.
Reminder Publishing photo by Tyler Garnet
Sheriff Nick Cocchi shares his thoughts on the importance of the Real Time Information Center.
Reminder Publishing photo by Tyler Garnet
Council approves funding for golf course walk-in cooler
By Tyler Garnet tgarnet@thereminder.com
CHICOPEE — A mayor’s order totaling $69,250 for a new walk-in cooler and a permanent pad for the freezer at the Chicopee Country Club golf course sparked much debate during the Feb. 17 City Council meeting.
Mayor John Vieau explained that the back of the golf clubhouse and walk-in cooler have been experiencing problems. The golf course has decided, with the Building Department’s guidance, to put the new freezer on a permanent pad and relocate it out of the construction area of the existing building.
Vieau added that the back part of the building needs further repair, and the city would eventually like to fully remodel the space. He said, “This would put the cooler out of that construction zone but in an immediate location to walk out for accessibility by the current concession.”
Because opening day for the golf course is usually around April 1, Vieau and a couple councilors expressed urgency in passing this order during the meeting.
Eventually, the City Council approved the funding for the golf course to purchase a new walk-in cooler, but not after some discussion.
Debating ensued during the meeting after it was stated on the agenda that the funds would be moved from the City Hall Maintenance Special account into the City Hall Maintenance account. Some councilors also wanted more clarification on things.
City Councilor Susan Goff noted that in August 2025, the City Council approved $97,500 for a new roof for the clubhouse. She expressed her concern with the golf course not using the full appropriation for the roof and trying to use it for the new cooler.
Goff also said that the background paperwork that the City
The City Council discusses a request from the golf course for a new walk-in cooler.
Council received had no quotes listed to replace the freezer. She mentioned that MGL Chapter 30B requires three quotes to replace the cooler because it’s over $50,000. The city’s facilities maintenance director, Dave Rice, was at the meeting to offer clarification. He said that the city received a quote on the day of the City Council meeting from Kittredge Equipment, which is on a state contract. He said the quote he received is $58,000 for a new walk-in cooler. After talking to the city’s chief purchasing officer, Rice said that if he could buy the cooler off the state contract, then the three quotes were not necessary.
Rice further explained that the leftover funds from the roof repair appropriation came after the department was originally going to replace the entire roof.
At the direction of the building commissioner, Rice said they decided that it was in the best interest of the city to not replace the two flat roof parts because “we didn’t know what we wanted to do for the major repairs to the building at that time, but we wanted to fix the shingled roof as it was actively leaking at the time.”
Goff motioned to send the item to Finance and Budget Committee because she thought the council did not receive enough information.
City Councilors Abigail Arriaga, Mary Beth Pniak-Costello and Jessica Avery said they were not against the golf course getting the new freezer but expressed they wanted some more transparency.
“I’ve never been against improvements,” Arriaga said. “There was more information
in the conversation that was had that I would’ve liked to have seen beforehand. I would’ve liked to have known that they didn’t do the full roof. I came into this meeting thinking the whole roof was done. Again, not against it, but the transparency was not there in any way, shape or form.”
City Councilor Douglas Girouard, who worked as a concessionaire at the golf course for 15 seasons, said the building at 1290 Burnett Road has been neglected for “many, many, many years.”
“We struggled with a building that was getting tired and old,” Girouard stated. “There [are] current concessionaires in there now that deserve a working environment like any other restaurant that is out there.”
City Councilor Samuel Shumsky said he wondered why
the golf course appropriations are the ones that get questioned the most compared to other departments. He stated how the golf course is the only city department that brings revenue into the city due largely because it hosts the AJGA tournament and other events.
After more debate, the motion to send it to the Finance Subcommittee did not pass. The motion to approve the funding also did not receive enough votes. Arriaga and Goff said they were willing to change their votes if the golf course came before the Finance Committee for a full financial report.
City councilors said that this issue is beyond the golf course, and they would like to see more communication with other departments about their finances to make sure everyone is on the same page.
Harmony House highlights generosity, gives 2026 outlook
By Tyler Garnet tgarnet@thereminder.com
CHICOPEE — The Harmony House of Western Massachusetts was in need of items listed on its Feb. 4 Amazon wishlist, including toilet paper and exam gloves. Less than a week later, several people answered the call and donated those necessary items.
Harmony House is a nonprofit organization with a mission to care for individuals at the end of life. It owns a home at 66 View St. that can accommodate five residents who, for whatever reason, can no longer live in their own homes.
In addition to a private room and spacious community spaces, they provide 24/7 companionship and personal care while working closely with the individual’s hospice team.
Reminder Publishing spoke with Harmony House Board of Directors President Gina Mazza about the organization and how people can help out, especially because Harmony House operates and relies on donations.
“We are not funded by any public or private payer,” Mazza explained. “As you can imagine, we go through a lot of supplies to care for residents and maintain a home of this size.”
Harmony House has a wish list on its website at harmonyhousewma.org on the donor page. Mazza said they are always in need of financial dona-
tions as well.
The Harmony House said on its Facebook page on Feb. 9 that so many people have stepped up to support Harmony House through its Amazon Wishlist.
“Every item purchased, every gift made and every message of encouragement reminds us that we are surrounded by a community that cares deeply about this mission,” the post stated.
Although they received donations from the community, donations are always needed to directly impact the residents they serve and help them continue building a safe, compassionate and supportive home.
Looking ahead in 2026, Harmony House has some exciting events planned to help raise funds and keep Harmony House in contact with the community.
Their first event of the year is a book signing and community talk with Maureen Groden on Thursday, March 26 on the Elms College campus.
Harmony House is also planning an all-you-can-eat pizza night at View Street Tavern on Thursday, April 23.
Mazza said the nonprofit is also excited about a “Golden Oldies Dinner and Dance” in September, with more details to follow soon. and a Trailer Trash Band concert at the Portuguese American Club on Friday, Nov. 6.
Details about these events will be available on its website and promoted on its Facebook page.
Mazza said that the organization always needs volunteers to help plan and pull off these events, so if anyone is interested in donating their time or tal-
ent, they can reach out to Mazza by emailing admin@harmonyhousewma.com.
She said that the best way to inquire about coming to live at
the Harmony House is through an individual’s hospice. “We partner with all local hospices to identify individuals who are a good fit for our home,” Mazza stated.
Photo credit: ChicopeeTV
St. Patrick’s Committee crowns 2026 Grand Colleen
HOLYOKE
— More than 350 guests filled the Log Cabin on the evening of Feb. 14 for the annual Grand Colleen Coronation Ball and Awards Night, a signature celebration marking the start of Holyoke’s St. Patrick’s season. The event honored several distinguished community members and culminated in the crowning of Jadyn Lois Christie as the 2026 Grand Colleen.
This year’s award recipients included:
• Citizenship Award: The
Miracle League of Western Massachusetts
• Thomas F. Rohan Award: Tessa Murphy Romboletti
• George E. O’Connell Award: DJ O’Connor
• Daniel J. Gallivan Award: James Menard
Each honoree received their award and delivered heartfelt remarks reflecting their commitment to the Holyoke community.
The 2026 colleen contestants, presented in order of appearance, were:
Olivia Rose Royland, 20 (Holyoke); Bridie Bowler, 22 (Holyoke); Jadyn Lois Christie, 19 (South Hadley); Paige Brady Leahy, 19 (Holyoke); and Anna Mary Evans, 22 (Holyoke).
All contestants answered the judges’ question: “Resilience, faith, family, and community have long defined Irish heritage in Holyoke. Which of these values would you carry forward most strongly as grand colleen and why?”
Parade President Jim Wild -
man, 2026 Grand Marshal Michael J. Moriarty and 2025 Grand Colleen Moira Reardon had the honor of crowning Jadyn Christie as the 2026 grand colleen. Upcoming events featuring the colleens:
• March 1: Irish Flag Raising, JFK Memorial, Holyoke, 2:15 p.m.
• March 7: Tartan Party for Dobbin, Holyoke Merry Go Round, 2 p.m.
• March 7: Marshal Mania, The Log Cabin, 6:30–11 p.m.
• March 8: Annual Colleen Gathering, Wyckoff Country Club, 2–5 p.m.
• March 21: 49th Holyoke St. Patrick’s Road Race, 1 p.m.
• March 21: JFK National Award Dinner, The Log Cabin, 5:30 p.m.
• March 22: Ambassador’s Breakfast, Wyckoff Country Club, 8 a.m.
• March 22: 73rd Holyoke St. Patrick’s Parade, 11 a.m.
‘Liberty and Labor:’ Women’s History Month art exhibit
HOLYOKE — Wistariahurst Museum is celebrating the fourth annual Women’s History Month juried art showcase. This year, the theme is women’s labor and community building efforts. An opening reception for this exhibit entitled “Liberty and Labor” will be held on March 10.
“Liberty and Labor” includes the work of artists who identify as women or nonbinary. Historically, women’s labor has been undervalued and overlooked.
Oftentimes, the work women have done in areas such as homemaking, community building, and parenting, has not even been viewed as work. Liberty and Labor highlights these efforts, and others, that showcase the hard work and dedication of women
SPRINGFIELD — Hampden
throughout history. From fiber art to painting, and sculpture, this exhibit includes a wide array of thought provoking pieces that connect with this theme.
Artists featured in this exhibit include Jankaleishka Burgos Cruz, Amy Crawley, Campbell Lackey and Nancy Myrdal Carroll. There are also several other artists who have been awarded
District Attorney Anthony D. Gulluni is inviting high school students across Hampden County to take part in the 2026 Stop the Swerve Public Service Announcement and Billboard Challenge, a countywide initiative aimed at raising awareness about the dangers of impaired and distracted driving.
The contest challenges students to create original PSAs and/or billboard designs that deliver powerful, prevention-focused messages about safe driving. Submissions will be reviewed by a panel selected by the Hampden District Attorney’s Office, with first-, second- and third-place awards presented in both categories.
Winning schools will receive:
honorable mentions and will display their work as well.
The opening reception of Liberty and l=Labor will be held Tuesday, March 10 from 4:30-6:30 p.m. Wistariahurst is an artist-friendly space that encourages creativity and supports the growth of this region’s artists. Open Gallery Hours will be held from March 10 to April 7 on
• First place: $2,500
• Second place: $1,000
• Third place: $500 Prize money is awarded directly to the winning students’ schools to support educational or school-based initiatives. In past years, award funds have been used for items such as classroom technology and student presentation equipment.
In addition to monetary awards, winning PSAs will air on 22News, and the selected billboard submission will have the opportunity to be displayed on one of Lamar Advertising’s digital billboards in Hampden County.
“This program gives students a real voice in preventing trag-
Mondays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Tuesdays from 4:30-6:30 p.m, which will also be free and open to the public.
This program is funded in part by a grant from the Holyoke Local Cultural Council, a local agency which is supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency.
edies before they happen,” said Gulluni. “By creating messages for their peers, students are helping shape safer behaviors and stronger communities.”
All submissions must consist of original student-created content and be approved and submitted by a designated adult representative at each school. Schools may submit multiple entries, though each submission requires its own entry form. The submission deadline is March 20.
Contest winners will be recognized during the Stop the Swerve prevention event, taking place on Thursday, April 2 at 5:30 p.m. at the Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield. The event is free and open to all Hampden
County parents and driving-age students, and will feature a locally produced documentary examining the real-world impact of impaired and distracted driving, along with interactive safety activities such as driving simulators and impairment-goggle exercises. Eligible high school students in attendance will also have the opportunity to enter a raffle for free driving school tuition. More information about the contest, submission guidelines, and the Stop the Swerve event can be found at hampdenda.com. The public Facebook event page is available at: facebook.com/ share/189Cm6LEZm/.
Scenes from the 2025 Stop the Swerve prevention event at the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame.
Reminder Publishing submitted photos
South Hadley maintains same trash fee for FY27
By Tyler Garnet tgarnet@thereminder.com
SOUTH HADLEY — The Selectboard decided at its Feb. 17 meeting to maintain the current curbside collection rate of $250 per household and increase the sewer rate to $525 per household in fiscal year 2027.
The decision was made based on recommendations by DPW Director John Broderick, who joined the meeting to discuss the fees for the upcoming fiscal year.
“We’ve got a healthy fund balance,” he stated.
Broderick said the department has not had a lot of expenses that have taxed the rate in the past three or four years, but that could change after FY27.
After FY27, FY28 and FY29, the DPW will look to replace a pickup truck and either do some major work on its rolloff truck or purchase a new one altogether.
Broderick said he recommended the same trash rate as last year because the truck does not need any major work this year, but the DPW will monitor it going forward.
The fee covers collection and disposal. South Hadley is entering year two of its six-year contract with Republic Services. The town recently adopted a new automated trash removal system, transitioning from manual pickup to carts.
Broderick said there’s a 6% increase for trash next year. The town produces around 3,100 tons of trash every year. This year they are paying $105 a ton, which on average is $325,000 for disposal of household trash.
According to the DPW director, the department anticipates about 1,400 tons of recycling.
South Hadley pays $108.50 per ton, which is between $360,000 to $370,000 for disposal.
“And then you got your collection costs, which are around $600,000, which is your household collection, curbside, then it’s your town buildings and schools, and then your yard waste collection for two weeks
in the spring, two weeks in the fall,” Broderick explained. On the collection side for next year, through contract, it’s a $49,000 increase.
As for the FY27 sewer fee, the $525 rate is a $25 increase from FY26.
Broderick said the engineer for the town’s Comprehensive Wastewater Management Plan said that over the course of the next 10 years, the town will need to increase the rates significantly to fund the associated costs anticipated to upgrade the wastewater treatment plant, pumping stations and infrastructure to ensure an operable compliant system for years to come.
The engineering study recommends an anticipated increase of $300 dollars or so over the next 10-20 years to properly fund these improvements.
Broderick explained in his letter to the Selectboard that the construction portion of the wastewater treatment plant phase 1 improvements should be
eligible for 0% borrowing for 20 years, and the pumping stations construction portions should be eligible for 2% borrowing for 20 years. He added, though, that the engineering costs for design/ bid/oversight of these construction upgrades are not a borrowable amount and must be funded solely by enterprise funds.
This large-scale project is expected to start design phase 1 in fall 2026 and end in spring 2028. Construction is projected to begin in early 2027. A consistent increase in annual fees is expected, according to Broderick. Raising the rate by $10
increases available funds by approximately $87,000.
Broderick explained, “Like we said in the past, it would’ve been nice if it was done in small increments over years, and you would’ve built up a fund balance that would have been sufficient to start the project, but then there would have been increases during the project to continue it through to completion.”
Broderick said the town will need to fund the design portion of the Main Street pump station and the design portion of phase one of the wastewater treatment plant.
BASKETBALL
Cosmo Bond, Jordan King, and Devin Velez surround Jack Madsen.
Holyoke High boys basketball coach Juan Maldonado talks strategy with the team during
Julian Fasoli takes a long shot.
Julian Fasoli takes it to the basket.
Geo Aponte cuts around a Westfield player
Cosmo Bond and Garrett Berube battle for a rebound.
Cosmo Bond takes to the air to block Jack Madsen's 3 point attempt.
Michael Medina recovers the ball and gets ready to head back upcourt.
Healey, Ayotte drawn to immigration, competitiveness debates
By Sam Drysdale State House News Service
BOSTON — From taxes to ICE detention, Govs. Maura Healey and Kelly Ayotte are trading cross-border barbs and turning each other into convenient political foils in an election year.
The latest flare-up between the Massachusetts Democrat and New Hampshire Republican spans affordability, outmigration, taxes and a proposed 400-bed Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention facility in Merrimack, New Hampshire, about 20 miles north of the Massachusetts border.
Appearing Feb. 15 on WCVB’s “On the Record” program, Healey called for Ayotte to oppose the proposed detention facility in the Granite State.
When asked about the proposed ICE detention facility in Merrimack, Healey did not
mince words: “Absolutely not. That’s crazy.”
The proposal is part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s “Detention Reengineering Initiative,” a plan to expand immigrant detention capacity nationwide. Documents released last week by Ayotte’s office outline a network of new “large scale detention centers” and “processing sites” intended to “serve as ICE’s long-term detention solution” and to support mass deportations.
In Merrimack, ICE proposes retrofitting a roughly 325,000-square-foot vacant warehouse at 50 Robert Milligan Parkway into a regional processing center with 400 to 600 beds. The agency said it would spend $158 million on renovations and $146 million to operate the site for its first three years, according to the documents.
ICE has described the initiative
as “a new detention model” that “aims to meet the growing demand for bedspace and streamline the detention and removal process.” The documents add: “These facilities will ensure the safe and humane civil detention of aliens in ICE custody, while helping ICE effectuate mass deportations.”
Healey, who grew up in New Hampshire, on Feb. 13 called the project “outrageous and absolutely the wrong move for New Hampshire, Massachusetts and our entire region.” She added, “Governor Ayotte needs to stand up and oppose this and say, no.”
Ayotte told the New Hampshire Journal, “New England is in this position because Gov. Healey and Massachusetts created a billion-dollar illegal immigrant crisis in our region. Get your own house in order, Maura.”
In a subsequent statement, Healey said, “We should be op-
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.
CHICOPEE
Barbara A. Betournay
Lois A. Gagne
Christos Lolos
Robert J. Lukasik Sr.
Jeannette M. Marceau
Joseph P. Ramah Jr.
Cecile L. Vincelette
John C. Wrzesien
EAST LONGMEADOW
Joan M. Hirsh
Margaret A. Miller
Ronald E. Moody
Sarah L. Pendleton
Dolores M. Scibelli
Steven J. Valentino Jr. HOLYOKE
Lorraine F. Janis
Patricia Palmer
Herman A. Sutter Jr.
Virginia R. Zabowski
INDIAN ORCHARD
Alan A. Dargis Sr.
Daniel J. Salamon
LONGMEADOW
Judith A. Allen
James W. Henrikson
Frank S. Podgurski
LUDLOW
Kathleen V. Garand
Ruth F. Pancotti
SOUTH HADLEY
Peter A. Gagne
Hugh Parker Hutton Gaetano J. Milano
Tessie O’Neill
Robert J. Valenti
SPRINGFIELD
Thomas M. Belton
Raymond N. Dagenais Jr. Dr. Veronica Harnois (D’Urso)
Frank Lango
Leon A. Lemieux
Dolores P. Santinelli
Annie Ruth Tatum
Michael Barry Wiener
Steven Wilson
WILBRAHAM
Deborah Ann Gero
Bowman Dean Franklin Milner Sr.
Danielle Paige
posing ICE’s tactics, not allowing them to expand … I oppose this in the strongest possible terms, and I am demanding that Governor Ayotte do everything in her power to block a new ICE facility in Southern New Hampshire.”
During a Feb. 15 appearance on “On the Record,” Healey also called for the federal government to defund ICE.
“ICE, right now, is not acting like a law enforcement agency. They’re out there with really rogue tactics,” she said, adding that “ICE right now has more funding than all state and local law enforcement around the country combined.”
She said the agency has “too much power, unbridled authority, no guardrails.”
Though she has gone up against Healey on immigration issues, Ayotte has not yet taken a public position on the Merrimack facility.
As that dispute plays out, Healey is also navigating a ballot fight at home over taxes and outmigration.
Hosts of “On the Record” asked Healey on Feb. 15 about U.S. Census data showing a net loss of more than 30,000 Massachusetts residents to other states last year.
“Our population has actually grown by 125,000 over the last three years, and actually since I took office, we’ve actually slowed outmigration,” she countered. Still, she added, “I want to keep every 20- to 45-year-old in the state ... We’ve got a lot of assets and strength, but we’ve got to get a handle on costs.”
Asked to clarify the difference in numbers, the governor’s office pointed to the state’s overall population trends and its domestic outmigration numbers as two separate measures.
While Massachusetts recorded a net loss of 33,340 residents to other states between 2024 and 2025 — and larger losses of 47,954 in 2021–2022 and 35,360 in 2022–2023 — those figures reflect only the balance of people moving to other U.S. states. Total population change also includes births, deaths and international migration. According to the governor’s office, Massachusetts’ population has increased by an estimated 128,619 residents over the last three years, even as some residents continued to leave for other states.
Those numbers are central to a high-stakes ballot fight over whether to lower Massachusetts’s 5% income tax to 4% — a change supporters say would improve competitiveness with states like New Hampshire, which levies no tax on wage and salary income.
In a Feb. 16 Washington Post op-ed, leaders of the coalition pursuing the income tax ballot question wrote that “Massachusetts’s high taxes are shrinking its population.” They cited Census data showing that in 2024, “net out-mi-
gration was more than seven times larger than in 2010,” adding “the state is losing residents to more affordable states like New Hampshire and Florida.”
The coalition is arguing taxpayers would save an average $1,300 annually with the income tax reduction, and that the change would bolster long-term economic growth.
Healey urged voters to reject it.
“Who doesn’t want to have their taxes cut, right? I mean, sign me up,” she said on “On the Record.”
But she warned that if the measure is approved, “that’s going to be a huge cut to our budget. You’re going to see 65% of all funding for education go away. You’re going to see all the funding that we give to cities and towns be significantly reduced. It’s going to be very, very harmful, and that’s why it doesn’t make any sense.”
She said the proposal “undercuts affordability,” adding, “All the free school meals, the free community college making financial aid larger for people in Massachusetts ... all of these things are going away.”
Calling the tax cut “totally counterproductive,” Healey said, “I really want the public to understand how catastrophic this would be for Massachusetts.”
The Pioneer Institute, a conservative think tank which supports the tax cut, pushed back. Executive Director Jim Stergios said Healey’s claim it would “devastate the budget and gut education is a wild distortion.”
While Beacon Hill debates a 5% versus 4% income tax rate, Ayotte has highlighted New Hampshire’s tax policy which she says is better for businesses and residents.
In a Feb. 10 press release Ayotte said, “Any business seeking freedom from higher taxes in Massachusetts or anywhere else in the nation is welcome in the Granite State.”
She added, “We’re proud to have one of the best business tax climates in America, and we’re going to keep showcasing all New Hampshire has to offer to companies in Massachusetts and beyond.”
Ayotte’s office has also pointed to six companies and 500 jobs relocating from Massachusetts last year.
With a tax-cut ballot question looming and a detention center proposal simmering near the border, the two governors have found in each other a politically useful contrast — 5% versus 0%, resistance versus recruitment — as each makes a case to voters while keeping an eye on the other side of the state line.
Sam Drysdale is a reporter for State House News Service and State Affairs Pro Massachusetts. Reach her at sdrysdale@statehousenews.com.
DINING ENTERTAINMENT
Local independent film production company Xposse Productions will release its new psychological thriller, “Dark Places,” on March 14 at Agawam Cinemas.
Written and directed by Geno McGahee, the film centers on college student Natalie Parker, who is managing anxiety and social challenges while navigating a new relationship with fellow student Jason Evans. When two professors are murdered, the pair become entangled in a confrontation with a satanic cult as they work to uncover those responsible.
The film is produced by Rick Caride, Matt Hebert, Eric Michaelian, Brent Northup, Lorrie
Bacon and McGahee, with Gregory Hatanaka of Cinema Epoch serving as executive producer. McGahee also operates the horror review website ScaredStiffReviews.com, which he founded in 2006.
The ensemble cast includes Lindsey DeLand, Jake Whitlock, Lorrie Bacon, Phil Godek, Eric Michaelian and Gabbi Mendelsohn. Following its theatrical release, “Dark Places” is expected to be made available on streaming platforms including Tubi, Fawesome and Amazon Prime Video. Ticket information for the Agawam Cinemas screening will be available through the theater.
Lumos Experience candlelight concert
St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Longmeadow will host a Lumos Experience concert titled Step Into the Glow: A Vivaldi & Mozart Candlelight Experience on Friday, March 27.
The 60-minute performance will feature an ensemble of violin, viola and cello performing selections by Vivaldi and Mozart in a candlelit setting. Seating is limited to maintain an intimate atmosphere. All tickets must be purchased in advance at lumosexperiences.com.
‘Hope and Glory’ production
On Saturday, Feb. 28, at 4 p.m., Young@Heart and Hope Center for the Arts will present “Hope and Glory,” a show that will combine the hope for the future as represented by the Hope Center’s students, faculty and staff at the newly renovated center in Springfield. The “lory represents the life and times of the recently deceased Evelyn Harris, who was a member of Young@ Heart for the last 2 1/2 years of her life.
Special guests for the show will include: Members of Sweet Honey in the Rock, an all-female, African American a cappella ensemble that started in 1973. They are a
three-time Grammy Award-nominated troupe who express their history as Black women through song, dance and sign language. Harris was a member of the group from 1974-1992. Yasmeen Betty Williams, an American gospel singer and former member of the Sweet Honey in the Rock from 1976 to 1986. After meeting in Sweet Honey in the ‘70s, Williams remained Harris’ close friend for the remainder of her life. Kayla Staley, the director of vocal ensemble at the Hope Center’s after school.
Buy tickets at the Hope Center website, hopecenterforthearts. org/events/youngatheart.
Provisions Picks: Cotes-du-Rhone from the French Rhone valley
“What should I bring to dinner?” It’s a question that customers often ask us here at Provisions. In a perfect world, one can pair the wine to the food being served, but we may not always know what to expect as a guest. No one wants to commit a faux pas by bringing something that clashes with the food, and that’s where our favorite safe bet red wine comes in: Cotes-du-Rhone.
The Rhone valley lies in eastern France just south of Burgundy, and the region has a long history of winemaking dating back to the 600s BC. The region is generally separated into two sections: the northern Rhone, where single varietal Syrah reigns supreme, and the warmer southern Rhone, where blends of Grenache, Syrah and Mourvedre dominate the production. The south contains many prestigious appellations for these blends, most notably Chateauneuf-du-Pape an area promoted from obscurity to prestige during the Avignon Papacy. The overwhelming quantity of wine, however, comes in the form of the humble Cotesdu-Rhone and Cotes-du-Rhone Village appellations, which together account for more than half of the Rhone’s wine production. Literally translating to “hills of
the Rhone,” these wines are produced throughout the south, and what they lack in prestige they make up for in quality, approachability and value.
Always a red blend, Cotes-duRhone reds consist mostly of Grenache, a friendly and fruit-forward variety boasting high levels of ripeness and generally lower levels of tannin when grown in the lower altitude areas of the region. The blend is completed with Syrah, adding spice and tannin, and Mourvedre, which contributes earthy notes and inky color. This trifecta works so well together that you’ll see the combination used in wines of many other warm climate wine regions of the world, including California, Australia, and South Africa. Together, these three varieties yield a wine that is medium bodied, dry, moderate to low tannin and food friendly with notes of berries and herbs. These wines pair great with chicken, burgers, pork dishes, hearty stews and most anything savory, but more importantly for the purposes of this article, they’re unlikely to clash with whatever your host may be cooking. So next time you’re running to the store for a bottle before a dinner party grab one of our favorites below.
Domaine La Manarine Cotesdu-Rhone Rouge ($19.99): Located in the southernmost tip of the region, La Manarine are meticulous organic farmers and take a hands off approach to winemaking, preferring to let the grapes speak for themselves. Their rouge is a somewhat rare example of a 100% Grenache Cotesdu-Rhone, and as a result it offers a great deal of aromatic fruit along with a pleasant amount of herbal spice. A lush and delicious crowd pleaser.
Clos du Mont-Olivet Vielles Vignes Cotes-du-Rhone Rouge ($24.99): The Sabon family have been making the wines of Mont-Olivet since 1932 and are great example of a traditional producer that isn’t afraid of new techniques. This wine is produced from three organically farmed
parcels of 40-plus year old vines and primarily ages in a mix of concrete and old wood, allowing the wine to breath and develop without imparting substantial oak flavor. This wine is the biggest of the bunch, offering more tannin, earth and spice due to the age of the vines and the higher portion of Syrah and Mourvedre.
La Cabotte Cotes-du-Rhone Colline ($19.99): Grown in a
higher altitude, cooler area of the region, this blend of Grenache and Syrah is farmed biodynamically by the d’Ardhuy-Plumet family. In the cellar, the wine is fermented and briefly aged in stainless steel with an eye towards preserving the grapes’ natural fruit and acidity. Medium-bodied, aromatic and bright enough to cut through fattier cuisine.
