The Chicopee Public Schools School Committee approved 46 School Choice seats in grades 1-5 for the 2026-2027 school year during its April 15 meeting.
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After gliding backward, veteran moves forward with new scooter
U.S. Army veteran Brian Dett will once again have an easier time moving around Chicopee after he was gifted a motorized scooter on April 21, thanks to a collaborative effort that included Robert Charland, better known as Bob “The Bike Man.”
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HOLYOKE
Council approves development of a poet laureate position
Holyoke’s arts and culture scene has just been elevated after a recent City Council vote. During its April 21 meeting, the body approved an order to explore the creation of a poet laureate position for the city.
Page 5
South Hadley to discuss another override
By Tyler Garnet tgarnet@thereminder.com
SOUTH HADLEY — Residents
may once again be asked to pay more in taxes as the South Hadley town administration and Selectboard are continuing to look at options to save proposed positions and service cuts.
Although the $9 million and $11 million tax override options did not pass during the April 14 town election, the Selectboard, School Committee, Appropriations Committee and Capital Planning Committee met on April 21 to discuss different budget options and offer a chance for each board and the community to provide input about the situation.
Town Administrator Lisa Wong presented various budgets under consideration for discussion among the boards. The presentation included the existing proposed budget under the deficit scenario and a three-year projection for fiscal year 2027, FY28 and FY29.
Part of the presentation included three options for a new proposed ballot question to see if the residents would allow the town to assess an additional $4.35 million in real estate and personal property taxes for the fiscal year beginning July 1. The $4.35 million would be raised over three years.
The ballot questions allow the town to provide more detail about what the $4.35 million would go toward, including which services and positions will be saved or how much will be allocated to assist each department.
According to Wong, of the $4.35 million, approximately $2.31 million would be allocated to South Hadley Public Schools, including funding for four high school teachers, one music teacher, one assistant superintendent,
an assistant director of student services, an athletic director, athletic trainer, assistant principal, mental health coordinator, extracurriculars, sports, music program for middle and high school, Advanced Placement and elective classes.
Wong told Reminder Publishing that the positions would be funded for FY27 if the vote occurred before July 1 and was successful.
Because the override amount will likely be smaller, according to Wong, not all services and positions will be reinstated. There will be more debate during meetings on April 28 and May 5 about the number.
Following the joint meeting discussion on April 21, the Selectboard will vote on May 5 on whether to have a special town election with the proposed ballot question. The tentative special town election would occur on June 23.
South Hadley Public Schools Superintendent Jennifer Voyik said that the listed $2.31 million allocated for the schools would provide level services over the next two years.
The proposed tax override would also assist with funding positions and services at the Gaylord Memorial Library, human services, the Police Department, Town Hall and Senior Center.
The town budget that will be presented at Town Meeting is a deficit budget since the town did not approve either of the tax override options on April 14.
On March 17, the Selectboard approved the FY27 budget as presented and sent it to the Appropriations Committee for further review. The School Committee approved a $27.5 million budget at its March 25 meeting.
The total town budget is approximately $59.9 million, an increase from FY26 by a little less than $2 million.
Wong talked about the failed tax override votes and said that essentially, the $9 million and $11 million tax override options were a way to plug the budget gap for four and five years, respectively.
The presentation on April 21 looked at a one-year, two-year and three-year plan. To provide level services for town departments in FY27, there’s approximately a $2 million budget gap, including a school budget that is $1.2 million below where they need to be to provide a level-funded budget.
Wong said she has not done an average taxpayer impact or updated the override tax calculator, so more information on that will be available in the near future.
On Tuesday, April 28, Wong and the Appropriations Committee hosted a review of the Town Meeting warrant articles remotely and at the Council on Aging. Town Meeting is set to take place on Wednesday, May 13.
Community members gather at the quad board meeting to hear the next steps about the fiscal year 2027 budget after the failed tax override vote.
Photo credit: SHCTV15
Mass Fair Housing welcomes new executive director
By Sarah Heinonen sheinonen@thereminder.com
HOLYOKE — April is Fair Housing Month, commemorating President Lyndon B. Johnson signing the Fair Housing Act on April 11, 1968. But while the law is nearly 60 years old, organizations are still fighting for fair housing every day. One of those organizations is Holyoke-based Mass Fair Housing, which recently welcomed Executive Director Vineeth Hemavathi.
Despite logging just two weeks on the job so far, Hemavathi is no stranger to Mass Fair Housing. The lawyer, with a background in housing and domestic violence, spent the past year working with Harvard Law School’s Housing Justice for Survivors Project. Prior to that, however, he was a staff attorney at Mass Fair Housing.
Speaking of returning to the organization as its leader, Hemavathi said, “When this opened, I had to go for this role that was different in this organization that I love.”
Mass Fair Housing is one of four fair housing organizations in Massachusetts and the oldest. It serves people from Worcester County to the Berkshires. Last year, the organization helped more than 500 people, more than half of whom live in Hampden County — mostly in Springfield, Holyoke and Chicopee. Hemavathi said that is largely because there are larger populations in those cities and more rental units.
Aside from direct legal services, Mass Fair Housing tests
for housing discrimination. “It’s kind of like Secret Shopper,” Hemavathi said. He explained that a housing ad may include discriminatory language, or someone may come to them believing they have been discriminated against.
A member of the organization will approach the landlord posing as a potential tenant to determine if there is discrimination taking place.
Mass Fair Housing also offers educational know-yourrights events. Hemavathi said many people do not know they have been discriminated against because they do not know the law. While many people think of discrimination as being racebased — 86% of Black people face housing discrimination — one of the most common discriminations Mass Fair Housing sees is against people with disabilities, including veterans and the elderly.
“Landlords cannot deny reasonable accommodations unless it is a financial burden,” Hemavathi said. Such accommodations may include a ramp, an accessible parking space or grab bars for the shower.
“Because we get people the modifications they need, it helps people age in place,” Hemavathi said. He added that it also relieves pressure on overwhelmed state and local shelters.
Another common target of discrimination is families with children under 6 years of age. In Massachusetts, owners of property built before 1978 are required to comply with lead laws
if children under 8 reside in the unit. That includes testing and deleading, if needed. Hemavathi said many landlords do not want to cover the cost of deleading, so they will deny the rental or not respond to a prospective tenant.
“We see families with children under 6 that have been looking for two years, and they keep getting denied, but don’t know why,” Hemavathi said. “Sometimes folks have a sense that something is wrong, but don’t know what it is.”
Occasionally, landlords will not rent to people with children, which is also illegal. They might say they are “too noisy” or that features in the unit would be “unsafe,” rather than leaving that determination to the parent.
Another widespread type of housing discrimination that Mass Fair Housing is working to combat occurs against people who have a housing voucher, be it because they are low-income, seniors or individuals with disabilities. He said it can take years for someone to receive a voucher through the federal Housing Choice Voucher Program, which pays a percentage of the tenant’s housing costs. Hemavathi said that, due to stereotypes about people who have vouchers, landlords may deny renting them.
“At Mass Fair Housing, we believe everybody deserves housing,” Hemavathi said. He said stable housing makes it easier to secure and retain a job, keep their children in one school district, and make plans for their future.
As a nonprofit, Mass Fair
Housing is working to stabilize its funding, Hemavathi said. One amendment to the proposed state budget would support the commonwealth’s fair housing organizations, while another would support Mass Fair Housing, in particular. While the organiza-
tion and others like it have long relied on federal funding for a portion of their operating costs, those funds are now in question, Hemavathi said.
To learn more about Mass Fair Housing, visit massfairhousing.org.
Parole Board nominee defends record despite critics
By Katie Castellani State House News Service
BOSTON — Opponents to Gov. Maura Healey’s latest Parole Board nominee raised red flags over his lack of background with behavioral health issues and indigent clients, as well as the potential he could leave before his five-year term is up.
“What we need now is balance,” Stacey Borden, founder and executive director of New Beginnings Reentry Services, told the Governor’s Council on April 22.
Borden, who previously ran for a seat on the council, spoke in opposition to Healey’s nomination of Vincent DeMore to the Parole Board. Borden, and other opponents, argued the Parole Board does not need another voice from law enforcement or prosecutors. Instead, they say the board needs someone with a deeper understanding, even lived experience, with incarceration as well as backgrounds in other fields like mental and behavioral health, substance use issues and trauma recovery.
“We need people who know how to assess readiness or reiteration, not simply risk through
SO THAT REMINDS ME
fear based assumptions,” Borden said. “Effective parole decision-making requires a grounded understanding of the realities of incarceration, institutional behavior and genuine program participation.”
DeMore, whom Healey nominated to the board on April 15, worked in the Suffolk County district attorney’s office for more than a decade. He is also a captain in the U.S. Army Reserve where he is currently a special victim’s counsel to victims of sexual assault, child abuse and domestic violence.
Councilor Tara Jacobs opened her questioning of DeMore acknowledging that his background is “broader and more nuanced than what’s being suggested today.” She also said the opponents’ points mirrored her reaction to DeMore’s nomination and asked him to respond to the concerns that were raised.
DeMore said he does not take the comments personally. He also shared that he has somewhat of an understanding of being institutionalized after returning home from basic training with the U.S. Army.
“Is it remotely like what someone who experiences, you know,
On the latest episode of “So That Reminds Me” regular host Tyler Garnet was put into the guest chair as hosts Dennis Hackett and Ryan Feyre talked with him about the budget issues in South Hadley and the challenges covering a difficult budget season as voters shot down two potential overrides. Dennis and Ryan also give updates on some stories around the area and a quick sports minute with the NHL and NBA playoffs in full swing and baseball season getting underway. Head to thereminder.com/ourpodcast or search “So That Reminds Me” on your favorite podcasting platform to listen.
18, 2026.
20 years in our state correctional facilities is like? Absolutely not. I don’t even suggest that at all,” he said. “I do have an understanding of what institutionalization does feel like, even if it’s on a vastly smaller [scale].”
Asked why he wanted to join the Parole Board, DeMore said he saw it as a way to coalesce his experiences to help his community and further the board’s mission.
“My work as a prosecutor is a mile wide and an inch deep in terms of impact. My work as a defense attorney is about an inch wide but a mile deep in terms of impact,” he told councilors. “The Parole Board offers an opportunity to merge the two together to have the greatest impact to really
help my community.”
DeMore added that he does represent a few indigent clients. He also said others on the board don’t have as much post-conviction or prosecution experience as him and he has worked more than others in trial and appeals courts. Additionally, DeMore said his work with the U.S. military is unique to the board.
Others raised concerns that DeMore may follow in the footsteps of other parole board members who left before their five-year term was up to pursue a judgeship. Opponents of DeMore’s appointment urged councilors to ask DeMore if he would commit to the full five-year term.
“As we sit here, is your in-
tention to complete the first five years?” Councilor Terrence Kennedy asked DeMore.
DeMore responded, “As I sit here today, yes. That’s the work that’s in front of me.”
Earlier in the hearing, DeMore had said he would serve on the board “as long as it’s the right place for me in terms of where I can provide a positive impact. If that’s five or 10 or 15 years.”
If DeMore is confirmed, he would fill the vacancy left when Tonomey Coleman was confirmed as a judge on the District Court.
Katie Castellani is a reporter for State House News Service and State Affairs Pro reach her at kcastellani@statehousenews.com.
The Governor’s Council stood for a moment of reflection and prayer during its assembly on Wednesday, Feb.
State House News Service photo by Alison Kuznitz
Vineeth Hemavathi recently became the executive director of Mass Fair Housing.
Reminder Publishing file photo
Chicopee man faces child exploitation charges
By Tyler Garnet tgarnet@thereminder.com
CHICOPEE — A Chicopee man was arraigned on multiple charges following a child exploitation investigation that multiple state agencies collaborated on.
Hampden District Attorney Anthony Gulluni announced on April 22 that Edgar Delvalle, 47, of Chicopee, was arraigned in Springfield District Court on April 21 following his arrest as part of a multi-agency investigation into the attempted exploitation of children.
The investigation was initiated by the New Jersey State Police, whose undercover investigators identified Delvalle through online communications indicating an intent to exploit young children.
“This case began with the proactive and highly skilled work of our partners at the New Jersey State Police,” Gulluni said. “We are grateful for their commitment to protecting children across state lines. From there, our State Police Detective Unit took on the critical work of advancing this investigation, coordinating efforts, building the case, and ultimately bringing this operation to a safe and successful conclusion alongside our law enforcement partners.”
The investigation was conducted in coordination with the Massachusetts State Police Detective Unit assigned to the Hampden District Attorney’s Office, along with members of the Massachusetts State Police STOP Team, Cyber Crimes Unit, Crime Scene Services Section and local law enforcement partners in Chicopee and West Springfield.
The investigation began when undercover investigators identified an individual engaging in online communications indicating an intent to exploit children. Through a coordinated effort between the New Jersey State Police and the Massachusetts State Police, investigators monitored those communications and develop a plan to safely intervene.
On Friday, April 17, law enforcement executed a covert operation at a motel in West Springfield, where Delvalle had arranged what he believed would be a meeting involving children.
“He was taken into custody without incident, due to the planning and manpower organized by the Massachusetts State Police and local agencies,” Gulluni stated.
Massachusetts State Police Colonel Geoffrey Noble was also at the press conference to discuss the operation and successful arraignment of Delvalle.
“This law enforcement team used their training and skill to identify a dangerous suspect and execute a plan to safely arrest him and prevent further harm to the community,” Noble stated. “As our work continues as part of the national Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force Program, we implore parents to know what their children are doing online. Together, we can protect innocent lives from the devastating impact of this horrible abuse.”
Delvalle is charged with two counts of trafficking of a person under 18 for sexual servitude, two counts of paying for sexual conduct with a child under 18, two
counts of enticement of a child under 16, two counts of felony attempt to commit rape of a child and possession of a Class B substance with intent to distribute.
He is currently being held without the right to bail as a result of a violation of probation out of Superior Court. On the new charges, bail has been set at $250,000, without prejudice.
Delvalle is next scheduled to appear in court on May 20 for a pretrial hearing. The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
Gulluni noted that Delvalle has a prior criminal history involving offenses against children. The prior case dates back to 2018, when Delvalle was arrested after arranging to meet a woman for the purpose of engaging in sexual acts involving her young child.
As part of that investigation, law enforcement recovered child sexual abuse material from his phone, including images involving very young children, and evidence established that he was di-
rectly involved in the creation of some of that material.
In 2021, Delvalle pleaded guilty in Hampden Superior Court to multiple charges related to the sexual exploitation of minors and was sentenced to a term of seven to eight years in state prison, along with additional concurrent sentences on related offenses.
He received significant credit for time served while awaiting trial, which is why he was released from custody in January 2025. Following his release, he was placed on probation with strict conditions, including GPS monitoring, a prohibition on contact with children and requirements to complete sex offender treatment.
Gulluni concluded with a message to the community when it comes to making sure people like this serve the time they deserve.
He stated, “It will be now the responsibility and objective of the prosecutors in my special victims unit to prosecute this individual pursuant to the law but do so as vigorously as possible.”
OneHolyoke CDC promotes Nayroby Rosa to COO
HOLYOKE — OneHolyoke Community Development Corporation has announced the promotion of Nayroby Rosa to chief operating officer, effective retroactively to March 9.
Executive Director Michael Moriarty and the OneHolyoke Board made the announcement.
Rosa, who has been at OneHolyoke since 2019, previously served as director of community engagement and resident services. In that position, she played a critical role in advancing initiatives focused on affordable housing, neighborhood leadership, youth and family support and community-centered development throughout Holyoke.
A longtime community leader and advocate, Rosa brings more than 15 years of experience in nonprofit leadership, community engagement and organizational development. In her new role as COO, Rosa will oversee daily operations, strategic implementation, and organizational systems, strengthening internal capacity while continuing to deepen community partnerships. Her promotion reflects OneHolyoke CDC’s commitment to developing strong internal leadership and investing in leaders who are deeply rooted in the community.
According to Moriarty, “I have had the pleasure of working alongside Nayroby and watched her growth at OneHolyoke. At her core, she is committed to the betterment of the community we serve and has the passion, com-
passion and smarts to do the job as chief operating officer.”
“Nayroby’s leadership, vision, and deep connection to the community make her uniquely positioned to take on this role,” said Ivie Cordero, chair of the OneHolyoke Board of Directors.
“Her ability to build relationships, lead with intention, and center community voice has already had a significant impact on our work, and we are excited for what lies ahead.”
Rosa has long been recognized for her leadership across Holyoke’s civic and nonprofit sectors, serving on numerous boards and advisory committees and working to strengthen partnerships between residents, institutions and local government. Her leadership approach emphasizes transparency, collaboration and community voice as key drivers of sustainable change.
“I am honored to step into this position of COO and continue working alongside our staff, residents and partners to advance OneHolyoke’s mission,” said Rosa. “This opportunity allows me to build on the organization’s strong foundation while continuing to prioritize community-led development and long-term neighborhood stability.”
OneHolyoke CDC remains dedicated to expanding opportunities for residents through housing, civic engagement and community-driven initiatives that strengthen neighborhoods across Holyoke.
Classified
Sales
From left: Hampden District Attorney Anthony Gulluni (left) and Massachusetts State Police Colonel Geoffrey Noble (right) discuss a child exploitation investigation during a press conference on April 23.
Reminder Publishing photo by Tyler Garnet
Nayroby Rosa.
CHICOPEE
Committee approves School Choice seats for 2026-27
By Tyler Garnet tgarnet@thereminder.com
CHICOPEE — The Chicopee Public Schools School Committee approved 46 School Choice seats in grades 1-5 for the 2026-2027 school year during its April 15 meeting.
Deputy Superintendent for Academics Jennifer Bellville attended the meeting to give a presentation on the slots, which illustrated School Choice data from the past few school years. There were 84 students enrolled in School Choice at the end of the 2024-2025 school year, a decrease of four students from 2023-2024. As of March 1, there are 74 students currently enrolled in School Choice, a decrease of 10 students from 2024-2025. There were eight new School Choice students accepted in 2025-26, with 31 slots being offered in grades 1-5.
School Choice gives parents and their children the opportunity to enroll in whichever school they feel best fits their needs outside of their own district. This can include a neighboring public, private or charter school.
In 2025, out of the 6,553 students enrolled in Chicopee Public Schools, there were 74 School Choice students, which is 1.1% of the total district enrollment.
Bellville explained that the recommendation for the district is to offer 46 slots in grades 1-5 for the next school year, including 11 slots at Barry Elementary School, four slots at Bowe Elementary School, 13 slots at Bowie Elementary School, seven slots at Lambert-Lavoie Elementary School and 11 slots at Streiber Elementary School.
Bellville explained that Streiber School, in particular, has two very low class sizes in the first grade classrooms, but if they combine those two classes, that would equal 26 students.
“That’s too much second grade. We also know we have a lot of move-ins and move-outs, but we have room to add to those, so we looked at that everywhere in the district,” Bellville stated.
There were no recommendations for kindergarten, middle school or high school for the 2026-27 school year. Bellville said the district has made
this recommendation for the past few years.
She explained, “Our kindergarten enrollment is significantly high already, but we also don’t recommend it for our middle or our high schools as far as whether it’s our class sizes, our programming and for a variety of reasons.”
The presentation also looked at the costs of School Choice for 2023 to 2025. In June 2025, Chicopee Public Schools enrolled 92 School Choice students, which brought in $469,470.
CPS also sent out 253 School Choice students, 189 of them from grades six through 12. It cost approximately $1.96 million to send students to other districts, a net loss of approximately $1.49 million.
Bellville stated that the costs of School Choice students leaving Chicopee Public Schools are taken from Chapter 70. “It’s not that we’re paying for it out of a line in our budget. It is already taken off of our Chapter 70 funding, however, our incoming students, we do receive revenue for.”
The majority of 253 stu-
dents, more than half of those in grades 6-12, are attending virtual schools. “A lot of that has to do with social, emotional needs, and so that is a big thing for us,” Bellville stated.
Bellville stated that virtual schools are a major reason why CPS has more students leaving than entering the district.
“Our virtual school numbers are extremely high because it offers a different education platform for students, as well
as to charter schools. That’s another big population,” Bellville stated. “We do know that some families, because of employment, go to other places. I looked at all of the numbers across the board to see where our largest population was going, and it’s really those virtual academies,” Bellville said.
The School Committee’s vote to offer 46 School Choice slots for grades 1-5 for the 202627 school year was unanimous.
After gliding backward, veteran moves forward with new scooter
By Tyler Garnet
tgarnet@thereminder.com
CHICOPEE — U.S. Army veteran Brian Dett will once again have an easier time moving around Chicopee after he was gifted a motorized scooter on April 21, thanks to a collaborative effort that included Robert Charland, better known as Bob “The Bike Man.”
Dett, who served from 19781982, has faced serious challenges including limited mobility, unstable housing and limited income. Dett’s previous motorized wheelchair broke down a few years ago, and he could not afford a new one.
This forced Dett to occasionally use his feet to glide backwards in his regular wheelchair. Thanks to a group effort between Paul Rogers, Jerry Loubier, John Baker, U.S. Marine Veteran Bob Costello, Christian DiLuzio and Charland, Dett received a new motorized scooter to assist his mobility.
Rogers recalled seeing Dett in the winter using his feet to glide backwards in his wheelchair. He knew he wanted to try to help Dett and reached out to Loubier and Baker to brainstorm.
“This means so much to me,”
Dett said to Costello after receiving the new scooter.
Charland explained that the
motorized scooter became available after 92-year-old Marine veteran Bob Costello came to the Hampden County Jail in his full dress uniform, looking to donate his late wife’s power wheelchair to another veteran.
“He really wanted this chair to go to another veteran,” Charland said. “It was just a collaboration of less than 24 hours to make this happen. For this marine to show up and do what we do best, help people. It’s quite an emotional moment to be able to do something like this for somebody in this kind of turnaround.”
Charland works with the Triad program in the Hampden County Sheriff’s Department, which primarily deals with seniors, people with special needs and veterans. Charland said he also attends monthly meetings where veterans’ service officers get together to talk about the needs of local veterans.
Charland connected with DiLuzio, who is the Western Region Liaison from the Office of the Veteran Advocate. The same day that Charland picked up the motorized wheelchair, DiLuzio reached out to him to let him know about Dett.
“It was amazing timing for it to happen,” Charland stated. “This is helping this army veteran from a marine, and it’s also fulfilling something for this marine. That wheelchair belonged to his wife before she passed. It’s going to be closure for him, but he also knows that it’s going to serve somebody else.”
Charland spoke to the sheriff and was able to get a pickup truck to pick up Costello and deliver the scooter in style. Costello was at the gifting of the motorized scooter on April 21. Charland said when Costello showed up at the jail in his full uniform, he had just left his wife’s funeral.
“Just knowing with all the budget cuts of so many different programs, I’m still able to come up with ways to serve not just veterans, but people in the community,” Charland said. “There’s a lot of red tape at times with getting stuff from the VA [Veterans Affairs]. With us, if we have it in stock, there’s no red tape. If you need it and you can prove that you’re a veteran with your DV214 discharge papers, we’re going to make it happen.”
Charland concluded with a message to the community after helping Dett.
“Look out for your seniors, look out for your veterans. Make sure there’s enough money in programs and maybe a lot less red tape. I mean, [Dett’s] wheelchair had been down for almost five years. He can barely walk, and the VA wasn’t providing one. I’m not saying anything negative about the VA; there are issues that are preventing people from getting the items that they need in a timely fashion, and ... veterans shouldn’t be waiting.”
Once the pictures were taken, Dett immediately took his new gift on a trip around Chicopee.
Deputy Superintendent Jennifer Bellville discusses the School Choice program with the School Committee for the 2026-2027 school year.
Photo credit: ChicopeeTV
Brian Dett poses with everyone who helped get him a new motorized wheelchair. Reminder Publishing photo by Tyler Garnet
Council approves
By Tyler Garnet tgarnet@thereminder.com
HOLYOKE — Holyoke’s arts and culture scene has just been elevated after a recent City Council vote. During its April 21 meeting, the body approved an order to explore the creation of a poet laureate position for the city.
City Councilor Anne Thalheimer filed an order in January that the city should begin developing the position, and the City Council’s Public Service Committee has been discussing the position for the last few months to help develop the responsibilities and funding.
The Public Service Committee most recently discussed the position at its April 9 meeting before sending it to the full City Council for recommendation.
The order states that, “A poet laureate is a poet appointed by a government or other conferring institution who uses the role to foster public appreciation of poetry and literary arts, and to advance culture, literacy and creative expression. Many of our neighboring communities have named poet laureates through their arts organizations; Holyoke’s could be a collaborative effort between the Holyoke Local Cultural Council, the Mayor’s Office, the Tourism Advisory Committee and/or other community organizations.”
Thalheimer has publicly spo-
development of a poet laureate position
ken about the position for months while gathering feedback from the public.
“I have received an incredible amount of positive feedback on this, and we had someone actually on zoom at the Public Service [Committee] meeting who spoke to this,” Thalheimer stated.” We have multiple previous other city poet laureates who live in Holyoke; one of the people who worked on the statewide poet laureate program lives in Holyoke. This, I think, is a no-brainer and a slam dunk.”
Thalheimer explained that the position “in it’s vision is going to be funded through a grant from the Holyoke Local Cultural Council.” The funding for the position will not be coming out of the city’s budget.
“This is in keeping with other places, as well,” Thalheimer explained. “Northampton, other places, this is usually often funded through a grants proposal or some other thing so, not city money.”
Besides Northampton, Easthampton, West Springfield and Springfield have poet laureates, according to Thalheimer.
“We do not yet have one, and I think it is time,” Thalheimer stated.
Thalheimer also laid out how she views the process of hiring a poet laureate. Now that the City Council has approved the position, volunteers from the
community will form an advisory board.
From there, the board will decide the parameters and decide about whether the position will be appointed, nominated or application-based.
Thalheimer said that traditionally, if the city pays for a position, the mayor makes the designation. However, that path will not be proposed because the
position will be grant-funded.
Besides Thalheimer, City Councilors Richard Purcell, Patti Devine, Juan Anderson-Burgos, Israel Rivera and Jenny Rivera also co-signed the order.
Rivera also spoke in favor of the city developing the position.
“I think for us ... [the] community that has a lot of stories to tell, just from different perspectives in the community,” Rivera
stated. “I think the most important piece is trying to provide that opportunity or platform for people to voice, whatever it is that they want to voice through this form of communication.”
The City Council unanimously approved adopting the position. Thalheimer said she will keep the community and City Council in the loop on the process going forward.
Annual mini golf event at the Holyoke Pubic Library returns
By Tyler Garnet tgarnet@thereminder.com
HOLYOKE — Bookshelves will double as fairways when the Holyoke Public Library tees up its annual mini golf event on Saturday, May 2, turning the library into a one-of-a-kind course for players of all ages.
The schedule features a series of fun events inside and outside of the Holyoke Public Library at 250 Chestnut St.
Mini golf will be featured on all floors of the library from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The 18 holes of miniature golf are for people of all ages and are free to attend.
Games outside the library’s park will take place from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., and there will be outdoor activities for all ages, including a chalk artist.
“This is a fun and casual event that will take you through every floor of the library,” Holyoke Public Library Development Associate/Finance Assistant Nancy Kocsmiersky said about the event. “Playing mini golf through library stacks will give you an appreciation of all that the library provides. You can just come for the mini golf or spend time outside seeing chalk art and maybe making your own.”
The Holyoke Public Library will give out free chalk and bub-
bles while supplies last, so visitors can make their own art on the sidewalks.
Guests are also invited to vote for their favorite decorated hole, and the Holyoke Public Library will post the top three holes chosen by the public. People don’t have to play mini golf to vote.
Since 2016, “Mini Golf in the Library” has been an important fundraiser for the Holyoke Public Library, according to organizers.
Kocsmiersky said that the average turnout for the event is usually over 300 people, not including the regular library patrons.
“The mini golf event is important to the library because it brings many people into the library who may not regularly come or may never have visited us,” Kocsmiersky said. “This event also benefits the library by bringing much-needed funds to help with the programming and services that we provide our patrons. The Holyoke library does a lot with a limited budget, and these fundraising events are important to help us keep expanding our outreach to the community.”
Although the event is free for all players, there will be opportunities for people to donate and a lucky ticket auction where the funds raised from ticket sales will go to support the library, according to Kocsmiersky.
She added that if anyone can’t attend but would like to support their mission, they can donate at holyokelibrary.org.
Proceeds will be used to augment library services, summer reading, year-round literacy programs and more. The Holyoke Public Library has set a goal of raising $15,000 via sponsorships, ticket sales and auction proceeds.
The library will be open for regular business while this fun community event is going on.
For more information, a volunteer link, or flyers, readers can contact Kocsmiersky at 413-4208109 or nancy@holyokelibrary. org. Readers can also visit holyokelibrary.org.
“In times of uncertainty, it is important to spend time with your community enjoying fun things together,” Kocsmiersky said. “This event gives everyone that opportunity while also giving them a chance to support an important public resource like the Holyoke Public Library.”
One of the holes from the 2024 mini-golf event at the library.
Reminder Publishing submitted photo
The City Council discusses and approves developing a poet laureate position for the city.
Photo credit: Holyoke Media
Senior Alex Samboy tags the ball for a single.
Chicopee High starting pitcher Josh Tomlinson tosses in a pitch at their April 17 game with Granby Jr./Sr. High.
Chicopee Pacer Ixzyandiael Lopez tries to get the out at third base on Granby Ram's Brodie Funk.
Chicopee High baseball coach Dan Asselin talks strategy with the team before their April 17 game with Granby Jr/Sr High.
Tyler De Pinho takes a cut at the ball.
Josh Tomlinson collects an infield popup.
BASEBALL
Josh Tomlinson beats the pickoff at first base.
Chicopee's Damian Sroka ducks a high inside Granby pitch.
Granby's Anthony Santiago avoids the pickoff attempt by Chicopee's Abdiel Rodriguez Aponte.
Pacer senior Anthony Nadeau snags a fly ball in right field.
Teachers ‘very close’ to second chance for enhanced retirement
By Sam Drysdale State House News Service
BOSTON — Veteran teachers
say this could be the year the state fixes a confusing process that cut thousands of educators out of enhanced retirement benefits more than two decades ago.
In 2001, the state introduced a new retirement option for teachers, school nurses and other educators, offering increased benefits for those who complete 30 years of service in exchange for a higher contribution rate. While those hired after July 1, 2001, are automatically enrolled, existing teachers had a six-month window to opt in, during which they say they received limited information. Some say they never received enrollment forms at all.
Now, as educators reach 30 years of service, those who did not opt into Retirement Plus in 2001 must work an additional three to five years to reach their maximum pension compared to colleagues who enrolled.
“I never received a letter. I had just come back from maternity leave, and I only knew because there was talk around the water cooler,” said Brenda Mosetich, a speech pathologist and music therapist with Boston Public Schools since 1997.
She said she called Boston Public Schools’ central offices and “was given misinformation” that she would be enrolled, even though she missed the letter and enrollment period while on leave. She did not learn until 2017 that she was not enrolled for the enhanced benefits.
“It’s just frustrating because it was literally my first child. I was 30 years old. I signed up
for 403(b), and life insurance and all those things. I absolutely would have done that had I been given the correct information,” Mosetich said.
Mosetich was at the State House on April 22 with members of the American Federation of Teachers Massachusetts advocating for a bill (H 2932 / S 1884) that would create a one-time window for teachers hired before July 1, 2001 to opt into Retirement Plus.
Massachusetts teachers enrolled in Retirement Plus receive an enhanced retirement calculation by adding 2% for each full year of credible service beyond 24 years, up to a maximum of 80% of their pension benefit.
Those who opt in contribute 11% of their salary. One source of confusion in 2001 was that the standard contribution rate for public employees not enrolled in Retirement Plus, known as “9+2%,” meaning 9% on total salary and 2% on earnings above $30,000.
Though often lower than the 11% flat rate, teachers said the structure led some to believe they were already contributing enough to qualify.
“I was told, ‘Oh, your paycheck says 9+2? That’s 11. You’re all set. You don’t need to do anything,” Mosetich said.
If the bill passes, about 6,000 active teachers in Massachusetts would get a second chance to enroll after missing the 2001 window, according to AFT President Jessica Tang.
“A lot of people have already missed the opportunity. A lot of people just had to retire if they were ready to retire, without being able to opt in, unfortunately. So that number, over the years, is shrinking,” Tang said.
She added, “I think what’s really heartbreaking too is people were ready to retire, and then they had this rude awakening because they thought they were in the correct retirement system, and it turns out they weren’t. And it was because their pay stub said 9+2%, which equals 11, or it actually said 11%, and they were not actually in it.”
Because these teachers contributed less over time, the bill AFT advocated for Wednesday requires a buyback payment covering the difference in contributions since 2001, plus interest.
“This is not a handout for teachers,” Tang said.
John Loosmann, a physics teacher at Belmont High School, said he was early in his Massachusetts career when the enrollment period opened and chose not to opt in, expecting he might return to New York to teach.
“I’ve had conversations with senators and they balked at first, saying, well, you made your choice. You chose. And it’s almost like they feel like we’re trying to sneak in without paying. We’re all willing to pay. And I would pay all of the money, plus the interest. That’s totally fine,” he said. “Who knows at 27 what they’re going to do for the next 30 years? I didn’t know I was going to be in Massachusetts teaching for 30 years at the time.”
The Boston Teachers Union began pushing for a fix in 2017, and the effort has since gained support from AFT Massachusetts, the Massachusetts Teachers Association and the Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents.
Supporters argue the bill could ease pressure on local budgets even as it slightly increases the state’s long-term pension liability.
“Fiscally speaking, I’m an expensive employee. They could hire two teachers for the cost of me. I’ve been there for 32 years, I am expensive. Getting new people on the lower end with fewer years of experience, but good nonetheless, it would cost less money for them to hire them,” Boston Public Schools speech and language pathologist Jeanine Fucile said.
If the bill passes, Fucile could retire with full benefits in two years instead of six.
Districts across the state are facing tight budgets and recent cuts.
“Just in Boston alone, we’re talking about a deficit for this next school year, cutting over 560 positions. So all of those people are looking for jobs right now,” Tang said. “And that’s just one district, and I know that in other districts, it’s in the hundreds as well.”
Tang said a union poll found about 8% of newly eligible teachers would retire this year if given the option.
“If it passes tomorrow, it’s not like there’s a mass exodus out of the district tomorrow. It’s a slow roll over the next, three to probably 10 years of people who are able to leave,” Fucile said.
The bill does not have a direct budget line item, and the only associated increase for the state is in the liability of the pension system, Tang said.
If everyone opted in who was eligible, the Public Employee Retirement Administration Commission estimates that the legislation could increase the liability by approximately $300 million, according to the union. According to PERAC, a $300 million liability would drop the MA Teachers Retirement System’s funded ratio from 60.4% to 60.15%.
“There is a liability cost in the long run. However, in the short term, it really does help the struggling districts that are having this fiscal crisis,” Tang said. She added, “It would really help, particularly, small districts where they’re cutting maybe 40 people. If you’re able to bring back six to eight positions, that’s a really big deal.”
The bill has passed the House three times, and Rep. Alice Peisch has filed it again as a budget amendment to be debated next week.
Though the Senate has not advanced the bill, Tang expressed optimism after a recent meeting with Senate President Karen Spilka.
“We got really into the weeds and the details. And two days later, her staff reached out and asked for some additional details. That is a very good sign,” she said.
Speaking at the union’s lobby day, Sen. Sal DiDomenico said there’s strong support in the Senate.
“I don’t guarantee anything in this world. But I can guarantee that it is very close to getting done,” he said.
Asked where things stand and if the bill would move forward this session, Spilka spokesperson Gray Milkowski said, “Our state would be nothing without our educators. Senate President Spilka is grateful to every educator for their dedication to our young people, and to those who spent part of their school vacation week advocating on Beacon Hill. She is actively reviewing the legislation alongside her colleagues.”
Sam Drysdale is a reporter for State House News Service and State Affairs Pro Massachusetts. Reach her at sdrysdale@statehousenews.com.
Unsupervised Comedy comes to the Knights of Columbus May 9
CHICOPEE — Skip the crowded brunch spots and the same predictable plans. This Mother’s Day weekend, Jess Miller Comedy is offering something entirely different: a night out where nobody needs you for anything. That’s exactly the point.
For all the parents and emp -
HOLYOKE — A reception and collaborative art exhibition featuring original paintings of Holyoke scenes will be held Friday, May 1, from 4:30-6:30 p.m. in the mayor’s office at City Hall, 536 Dwight St. Works by Natasha Colón Ortiz and Lora McNeece Barrett will be on display. The theme is “Waterpower.”
According to the artists, the strength of the city of Holyoke has long been in its canal system. Since the late 1800s, water has been harnessed to power industry. Three levels of canals not only help to contribute to the economy of Holyoke but have served as the muse for the work of Colón Ortiz
ty nesters alike, Unsupervised Comedy (formerly Moms’ Night Out) comes to the Knights of Columbus in Chicopee on Saturday, May 9, for one night only. The show features a powerhouse ensemble of nationally touring comedians, too. Hosted by Jess Miller, featuring Peaches Rodriguez, Kim DeShields, and headlined by Linda Belt, this night will deliver a fastpaced, high-energy night designed for adults who are long overdue for a break.
making it easy to skip overpriced food options and create their own perfect night out.
Unlike traditional event nights, Unsupervised Comedy keeps things simple — and a little more fun. Guests are encouraged to bring your own snacks,
“We started Moms’ Night Out in 2017 at the Hu Ke Lau,” said Jess Miller, the show’s producer. “We’re keeping the tradition going because moms deserve to laugh, and have a good time.”
“This is the kind of show that works for anyone who has ever been born,” Miller said. “If you have a mother, are a mother, survived childhood, or just need a reason to get out of the house and laugh, this is your night.” The show is rated R and is for audiences 21 and over. Doors open at 6:30 p.m., and the show begins at 8 p.m.
Art exhibition, reception to be held at Holyoke City Hall May 1
and Barrett. The canals not only serve as a bridge between the past and the present, but have bridged the once student and teacher relationship of Natasha and Lora, but have been the catalyst that has forged a new bond as mentor and student learn from each other, share ideas about art and commerce and delight in the creation of art.
Late in the summer of 2025, Holyoke Mayor Joshua A. Garcia asked members of the community for ideas to enliven the mayor’s office. Numerous people suggested that Colón Ortiz and Barrett were the natural choices for this body of work as both have been noticed for their use of the canals as in-
spiration for their many paintings. When Natasha and Lora agreed to provide paintings, based on the Holyoke canals, Garcia became, coincidentally, the recipient of an award by the Northeast Renewable Energy Coalition as Mayor of the Year, and the Holyoke Gas & Electric Department received the Utility of the Year Award. Garcia characterized the awards as “testament to the resilience and ingenuity of Holyoke’s development strategy.” He cited the growing interest of start-ups and entrepreneurs impressed by the city’s vision of a clean energy economy.
Colón Ortiz is an artist, teacher and community leader. A proud, island-born, Puerto Rican, she
CHICOPEE
Mary Ellen Carey
Lisa J. Grilley
Claire Y. Henault
Aaron Thomas Kuschka
Jeannine M. Martell
Orminda M. Oliveira (Do Souto)
Barbara K. Parent
Florinda M. Ribeiro
EAST LONGMEADOW
Giovanni Montefusco
Colleen Smith (Moore)
HOLYOKE
Celia Drobiak
Edward F. Dupont
Irene Kopeski
Marion Fernandes McCormick
Sarah Peterson
LONGMEADOW
Rita Barr (Baskin)
Stephan John Wilfred Platzer
LUDLOW
David M. Fernandes
Irene Rua
Gonzaga “Tina” Teles (Dos Santos)
SOUTH HADLEY
Donald David
Monica M. Lindberg
John D. Magnino
weekly.
SPRINGFIELD
Jean Marie Biancomano
James Brandon Fortune
Patrick A. Hassett
Katherine L. Kane
Edgar Valle
Fred Frank Wojnarowicz
WILBRAHAM
Joan Davis
James R. Garneau
Christopher Miguel Rodriguez
attended Holyoke schools and graduated from Wheaton College with a degree in Neuroscience and a minor In Studio Arts. She owns Paper City Arts, which provides art services throughout Western Massachusetts. Her body of work includes teaching in Holyoke and Springfield Public Schools, painting murals, leading workshops for children and adults, and collaborating with well-known local agencies such as Beyond Walls, Community Mural Institute, Holyoke Art and Nueva Esperanza.
Barrett is an artist who enjoys creating landscapes, florals, and urban scenes, looking for the special in the mundane. She has exhibited in solo and group shows in museums and galleries on Cape Cod, Western Massachusetts, Paris, Mexico, and other international and domestic venues. Her paintings are in numerous private and corporate collections throughout the world, including the permanent collection of the U.S. Federal Reserve in Washington, DC. Dr. Barrett is an accomplished teacher as well. She served as an art teacher in the Holyoke Public Schools for 35 years, including 15 years as the chair of the Art Department. She is a senior lecturer-emeritus of art education at the University of Massachusetts in Amherst. Refreshments will be available.
The Best Damn Panini: Krave in East Longmeadow
By Dennis Hackett dhackett@thereminder.com
EAST LONGMEADOW —
Having worked exclusively in East Longmeadow over the past year, I have come to appreciate the town’s many lunch stops. I am happy to report that another excellent spot recently opened its doors.
Krave Restaurant, which opened in March, offers a variety of bowls, salads and paninis. Krave offers signature bowls and paninis, like the Orchard bowl, which comes with gorgonzola, candied walnuts, tomatoes, chickpeas and cucumbers, or the Philly panini, which comes with roasted peppers, caramelized onions, sauteed mushrooms, shredded cheese and garlic mayo. Patrons also have the opportunity to make their own bowls or paninis, giving people the opportunity to pick from any of Krave’s ingredients.
In my many trips to Dunkin’ since Krave opened, the delicious smells from the kitchen have caught my nose as I have walked by, making me constantly say to myself “I’ll try it one day.” I am kicking myself because of how long I waited to try something. My first experience with Krave was outstanding.
Walking up to the counter,
As wine professionals we often face terrible misconceptions and slanders against our favorite grapes. We hear that cabernet sauvignon is a graceless fruit bomb (tell that to Bordeaux), that riesling is too sweet (there is a whole category of dry riesling called “trocken”), and that zinfandel is overwhelmingly heavy (not so in the hands of California’s new generation of winemakers!). However, no grape is more frequently misunderstood than our dear, beautiful chardonnay. Too often we’re told that it’s too buttery, too oaky or too sweet. It is true that there was a time when many California wineries made a name for themselves by making the biggest and boldest examples of chardonnay out there, using large percentages of new oak barrels and malolactic fermentation to maximize the butter and vanilla notes in their white wines. This, along with California’s famous sunshine and the ripeness that can result from it, led to wines that, while sometimes finely crafted, were out of balance.
This grape is famously versatile and flexible though, known in the industry as “the winemaker’s grape” because of it’s ability to express itself in so many different ways. For example, cool climate chardonnays from places like Santa Barbara and Chablis are generally crisp, refreshing and bone-dry white wines with ample acidity. Explore Burgundy or Oregon and you’ll find chardonnays of unparalleled complexity and balance that integrate with oak so
patrons are immediately greeted with a bevy of options, going station to station, working with staff to add different ingredients to a bowl or a panini. The staff also greets you with a big smile, ready to help you put together your order. If you’re in a rush, Krave also offers online ordering.
To me, barbecue chicken is a go-to sandwich, whether it has grilled or fried chicken and whatever other toppings you want to toss in there, so when I saw Krave had a BBQ panini, I knew that was my first victim. Topped with a golden barbecue sauce and a chipotle ranch, and filled with bacon, crispy onions and shredded cheese, my mouth was watering looking at the menu. I combined those ingredients with a protein add on of blackened chicken, and it was the perfect combination of savory and sweet with the sweet taste of the golden barbecue and the subtle kick of the chicken.
Staff Writers Sarah Heinonen and Peter Tuohy can attest to the way my jaw dropped when I saw the size of my panini when I opened the container in the newsroom. The box had two huge halves of my panini on a pressed ciabatta bread. The picture included with this review does not do the sandwich justice; it was massive.
Coincidentally we also ended
beautifully that you’ll barely notice that it’s there. Furthermore, many chardonnays do not undergo malolactic fermentation, the conversion of malic (apple) acid to lactic (buttery) acids, at all.
As you may be gathering, many of the features of the grape that some don’t care for are in fact decisions made in the winery rather than innate traits of the variety. Which leads me to three of our favorite domestic producers that are producing medium-bodied and balanced chardonnays that will change your mind about the grape.
First up we have Osmote’s Cayuga Lake Chardonnay. Osmote is the project Ben Ricardi, a Finger Lakes native who initially worked in California until returning home in 2017 to make wine in upstate New York. This is a cool climate region, one that you’d initially think would be inhospitable
up having food from Krave for a company lunch meeting, where I was able to try a bit more of the menu, while still snagging a corner piece of the BBQ panini. I tried another golden barbecue staple, Krave’s Good as Gold bowl, which in addition to what comes on the BBQ panini, comes with
to wine grapes, but in the Finger Lakes the proximity to large bodies of water moderates the chill of winter slightly, allowing the grapes to reach ripeness. The Cayuga Lake chardonnay is light bodied and thirst quenching with a lean angularity more reminiscent of Chablis than California. Mineral with a touch of citrus peel. This is as light an ethereal as chardonnay gets. ($21.99)
Next, we have Scar of the Sea’s Vino de Los Ranchos Chardonnay. Scar of the Sea is the project of up and coming star Mikey Guigni, a young winemaker rapidly gaining attention for a hands of winemaking style that yields supple, balanced wines that sing with food. Sourced from a pair of organic vineyards on California’s central coast, this wine is aged on the lees for a year and a half before being bottled unfiltered.
avocado smash, roasted peppers and cucumbers.
The versatility and options to create your own meals stand out the most to me, so while I love their BBQ panini, I am excited to be able to come up with my own concoctions on future visits, whether that is a new panini or bowl. Just a short distance from our East Longmeadow office, Krave is going to become a staple of my lunch rotation at work, with plenty of more things for me to try. Krave Restaurant is located at 59 Maple St. in East Longmeadow.
Crisp but textured, this wine showcases cool climate minerality with hints of golden apple and brioche. ($34.99) Catch and Release produce their Fair Trade Chardonnay from a vineyard located between the Russian River and the north end of the Mayacamas mountain range in Mendocino County. This wine comes in at a low 11.8% alcohol, proving that California chardonnay can in fact be light
on its feet. The wine undergoes a mild malolactic fermentation and aging in neutral oak barrels that impart no flavor while allowing the wine to breathe, softening the edges of the wine and adding a bit of mouthfeel. The result is a chardonnay that is easy-drinking and refreshing with a bright acidity and mouth watering notes of lime, minerality and a touch of saltiness in the finish.($39.99)
