CHICOPEE — The School Committee approved an approximately $139.4 million fiscal year 2027 budget during its June 1 meeting, an increase from $136.7 million in FY26.
The committee hosted its FY27 budget public hearing during its meeting on June 1. Chicopee Public Schools Budget and Finance Director John Miarecki joined the meeting to give a presentation on the proposed budget.
According to Miarecki, budget drivers include salary increases, transportation and special education needs.
Salaries take up around 75% of the budget, or $106 million, and another $35 million is allocated for expenses. The total budget is approximately $142.5 million due to other income sources.
Miarecki called the budget process a journey and one that has been taking place since mid-November. Over the past few months, the finance and administration team discussed the city’s state budget process, the Chapter 70 foundation budget, the city’s contribution and the decrease in student enrollment that affected the budget financially.
While no one lost their jobs, Miarecki said five positions were eliminated because they haven’t been filled for years.
Chapter 70 funding increased by approximately $1.1 million from FY26 to FY27. The total Chapter 70 funding Chicopee will receive from the state is approximately $101.4 million.
The foundation budget increased by only $169,648. At a previous meeting, Miarecki discussed a situation that Chicopee and “270 other districts across the state” are facing.
For FY27, the number of low-income students decreased
credit: ChicopeeTV JUNE 11, 2026 | FREE
by 217 students. This caused the low-income percentage to drop to 69.34%, which is below the group 11 minimum threshold of 70%. This moved Chicopee into low-income group 10, and the difference is about $1,071 per student.
According to Miarecki’s previous presentation, $5 million will not be coming to Chicopee because the city went under the 70% threshold when the low-income classification was reevaluated.
City costs decreased from FY26 to FY27, according to Miarecki, who explained that the decrease occurred because the municipal retirement cost went down by $3.3 million.
Miarecki also explained that his team has decided not to allocate School Choice funds for FY27, and they are expected to have a balance of about $1.42 million for next year.
There will be $3.1 million Circuit Breaker funds allocated to the budget in FY27, and approximately $1.4 million left in the account after the allocation.
The FY27 budget includes
approximately $8.4 million from the Education Stabilization fund, which means there will be around $65,598 left in that fund.
School Committee member Deanna Rousseau said the allocation helps create a fully funded and balanced budget. However, referring to the Education Stabilization fund, she added, “that might not necessarily always be there, so I think a lot of hard work went into this, but there will have to be continued eyes on expenses as they continue to grow and also be adjusted to meet the needs of our school system.”
Rousseau, who also serves on the Finance and Budget Subcommittee, talked about the final budget proposal after four separate budget workshops shaped it.
“I appreciate all of the needsbased efforts that went into going school by school, line by line to make sure we’re addressing the needs of our city,” Rousseau stated. “There were also positions added to the district to meet the needs of the ever-changing environment.”
Over the last few years, the
district has implemented a more “needs-based” budget by prioritizing data-informed allocation of resources and a focus on managing the whole, which allows for all aspects of the district to be goal-aligned and move together in an equitable, mission-focused manner, according to leaders.
For example, School Committee member Jason Dout pointed out that every elementary school in the district will feature more guidance and social work. “I think that that’s a great thing because that comes kind of full circle at meeting our families where they are and understanding family and community engagement, and the efforts we’re putting in that, and then understanding that if we’re opening those doors for communication, that we’re hopefully starting those difficult conversations about the work that needs to be done with our students.” The School Committee unanimously approved the FY27 school budget. The budget will be presented to the City Council at a future meeting in June along with the overall city budget.
IN THIS EDITION
AROUND THE AREA Herald communities prepare for Fourth of July celebrations
Chicopee, Holyoke and South Hadley are preparing to celebrate Independence Day with fireworks displays that bring residents together for an evening of festivities. Page 2
HOLYOKE
City Council approves sewer rate increase Holyoke residents can expect to pay more for their sewer bill after the City Council approved a sewer rate of $8.76 per 1,000 gallons used. Page 4
The School Committee discusses the proposed fiscal year 2027 for the Chicopee Public Schools before approving it during its June 1 meeting.
Photo
Committee approves using free cash to fund three positions
By Tyler Garnet tgarnet@thereminder.com
SOUTH HADLEY — The School Committee approved funding three positions with free cash during its June 3 meeting that Superintendent Jennifer Voyik said will maximize the district’s potential in fiscal year 2027.
Several days after Town Meeting decided to use free cash to help save school services, Voyik proposed funding four positions using $300,000 in free cash while at the May 20 School Committee meeting.
Those positions were a vocational director at the high school, a dean of students and family engagement position at the middle school, an adjustment counselor at Mosier Elementary School and a digital literacy teacher at the middle school.
At the end of the May 20 meeting, the School Committee approved the vocational director position but wanted to wait two weeks until its next meeting to hear community feedback on the use of the additional funds for the other three positions.
During the June 3 meeting, School Committee member Tracie Kennedy said the committee did receive some emails from the pub-
lic that “all of those emails have been in support of either all or some of the positions based on the caregiver or who the community member was and what schools they have interactions with.”
One of the concerns that Kennedy highlighted that the committee continues to hear is that these positions are reoccurring salaries but added, “They are strategic investments. I would say to people who are concerned about that, what happens if we don’t make these investments?
She continued, “I think that’s a really big question that we need to think about because if we don’t do something right now to try to curve the trend of people leaving this district for other districts, then we are going to continue to spiral or the snowball effect. That snowball is going to continue to get bigger every year and we are going to go back to cutting.”
After discussing the positions again at its meeting on June 3, the School Committee approved the remaining three positions.
Voyik’s original proposal came seven days after Town Meeting approved a $61.4 million FY27 budget — including $27.5 million for schools — and approximately $1.2 million in free cash to fund the gap for FY27. According to the
town, the FY27 budget, which will take effect on July 1, will represent a 6.71% increase from FY26.
After the proposed positions were approved, the School Committee also approved increasing the total operating budget for FY27 to $27.8 million.
The idea to use free cash was first introduced by Town Administrator Lisa Wong before the Appropriations Committee approved the recommendation on April 28. The Selectboard then approved putting it on the warrant before Town Meeting members made the final approval in the FY27 budget article. Voyik explained that free cash only funds the budget for this upcoming fiscal year and is not guaranteed for future years.
Voyik explained that the conversation in April about what the funds is supposed to be used for is for strategic investments to try and “reverse School Choice.”
“I think that’s a really difficult thing to say or thing to guarantee but I think it’s more about making strategic investments so that families want to stay in district, so we don’t continue to see families that are looking for other places to go,” Voyik stated.
Voyik also said that the money was supposed to be used for ways to build revenue.
“I think the four positions that are presented before you is a combination of both those things and is not the only things that we are strategically investing in or thinking about in the district,” Voyik stated.
The $1.2 million in free cash will save approximately 14 positions and several programs in FY27 such as high school sports, extracurriculars at all schools, electives, middle school and high school music and honors/AP classes are also saved in FY27 following Town Meeting’s vote.
Aside from that $1.2 million, Town Meeting also approved an additional $300,000 in free cash for strategic investments in schools to try and create positions that would accrue revenue or reverse School Choice.
Voyik explained that the vocational director can expand Chapter 74 programming for South Hadley students and established a tuition process to generate revenue. The position would pay for itself with approximately five tuition-in students.
Voyik also explained that the dean of students and family engagement allows the principal to focus on instructional leadership and classroom visits. She said the latter position would also provide additional support for
student behavior, discipline and school climate.
The adjustment counselor at Mosier school would reduce the current counselor caseload, according to Voyik, who said that the current counselor supports 61 students. The digital literacy teacher, meanwhile, would broaden access at the middle school library and create separate dedicated classes for digital literacy, research skills and responsible technology use, Voyik said.
“By providing us with the ability to teach the course that we’re running now from another individual other than the librarian, it opens up our library for all our students to come down to,” said Michael E. Smith Middle School Principal Luis Martinez regarding the digital literacy teacher position. Martinez explained that the current curriculum only allows its fifth- and sixth-grade students access to the librarian. He said the seventh- and eighth-grade students do not have that luxury.
The School Committee approved the dean of students and family engagement position at the middle school, an adjustment counselor at Mosier Elementary School and a digital literacy teacher at the middle school with a 4-1 vote.
Herald communities prepare for Fourth of July celebrations
By Tyler Garnet tgarnet@thereminder.com
Chicopee, Holyoke and South Hadley are preparing to celebrate Independence Day with fireworks displays that bring residents together for an evening of festivities, family activities and summer tradition.
Chicopee
The Chicopee Fireworks are scheduled for Saturday, June 27, with a rain date of Sunday, June 28, at Szot Park. The event is hosted by the Chicopee Parks and
Recreation Department.
Gates will open at either 5:30 or 6:30 p.m. with the fireworks beginning at dusk. The event will also feature some food vendors, face painting and more. For more information, readers can call the Parks and Recreation Department at 413-594-3481.
On Friday, June 26, Chicopee is celebrating America’s 250th birthday with an “evening for the whole community” from 4-10 p.m. at Szot Park. The event will feature a bevy of food trucks, live music, local vendors and a movie to cap off
the night. Admission to the event and the movie is free.
The rain date for the 250th celebration is Thursday, July 2, from 4-9 p.m. at Szot Park. For more information, readers are encouraged to call the mayor’s office at 413-594-1500.
Holyoke
Holyoke’s July 4 fireworks celebration will take place at Holyoke Community College on Friday, June 26, and a rain date is scheduled for Saturday, June 27. The event begins at 6 p.m., and a fireworks display is scheduled to
start at dusk.
The Holyoke fireworks are sponsored each year by Holyoke Gas & Electric, and the event is hosted by Holyoke Community College.
Mayor Joshua Garcia said he encourages everyone to come early to enjoy the music and food. There will also be many activities for children.
“First, I’d like to thank Holyoke Gas & Electric, Holyoke Community College, and the city’s departments for continuing this tradition,” Garcia said. “Not only do we have the fireworks in honor of our nation’s history, but it also allows us to come together as a community and celebrate.
As Mayor, it fills me with deep pride to see so many families and friends come out and enjoy a nice summer evening in Holyoke. We want this city to be welcoming and vibrant, and the fireworks contribute to this.”
Vendors interested in taking part in the event should contact the Parks and Recreation Department to obtain a permit application at 413-322-5620.
No alcoholic beverages or bottles are allowed on the premises.
South Hadley
The annual South Hadley fireworks celebration will occur on Friday, July 3, at 5 p.m., with the fireworks commencing
at 9:30 p.m. at the Michael E. Smith Middle School located on 100 Mosier St.
A potential rain date is scheduled for Friday, July 5.
The evening will include food trucks, vendors, rides and games for kids. There will be a DJ in the parking lot, and the South Hadley Community Band will start to play at 8 p.m.
People are encouraged to bring a blanket and/or chairs and plenty of bug spray. Because the event is on school grounds, alcohol and tobacco products are not allowed.
The organizers said that guests may have a bit of a walk, as parking near the middle school is limited. The town said that parking is also available at Mosier School, open until 7 p.m., or when the lot becomes full. Additionally, St. Theresa’s Church has parking until 7 p.m., and Veryl’s Automotive & Beers and Story will allow people to park for a fee that supports the charity.
Parking at the middle school is for handicapped and event staff/police/fire only, according to the town.
There is no parking allowed on Routes 116, 202 and 33 per state law. There is also no parking allowed on the following streets: Mosier, Morgan, Brainerd, Pine, Parkview, W. Parkview, E. Parkview, Richview and Belmont.
By Tyler Garnet tgarnet@thereminder.com
CHICOPEE — A proposed order that Zoom participation would be only allowed for illness and emergencies at City Council meetings was voted down after a lengthy discussion during the June 2 meeting.
City Councilor Mary Beth Pniak-Costello proposed the order after hearing from certain curious residents about the status of Zoom meetings. She also acknowledged that other communities are discussing whether to mandate in-person meetings and wanted to present the question to the Chicopee City Council.
For example, the Springfield City Council recently had a heated debate about a resolution proposed by Ward 7 City Councilor Gerry Martin requiring councilors to attend meetings in person.
Many Chicopee city councilors spoke against the proposed rule change. City Councilor At Large Joel McAulife stated that he thought the order was bad policy, procedurally flawed and “attempts to solve a problem that does not exist here in Chicopee.”
“Remote access has im-
proved transparency, expanded public access and helped ensure that the public’s business can continue without unnecessary distribution,” McAulife stated. “A vague order limiting Zoom participation to folks who have illnesses or emergencies is not workable or reasonable. Who is the one that gets to decide what a reasonable illness or emergency is?”
City Councilor Abigail Arriaga said that she, like many other councilors, has a busy schedule that limits her ability to join the meeting in-person.
“I work a full-time job, I’m a full-time mom, I sit on many boards, I volunteer, work; I do about 1,000 things a day. Does that mean that I’m not allowed to participate if I do need to participate on Zoom because I’m driving from one thing to another. I represent the people because I am the people; because I am the person that is doing all of it on a day-to-day; that’s why it is so easy for me to represent my ward, because I’m doing it all just like they’re doing it all,” she stated.
City Councilor Shane Brooks said the most important thing
By Tyler Garnet tgarnet@thereminder.com
CHICOPEE — Aurora’s Pizzeria has a new home down the road from its old storefront, and to celebrate, it hosted a grand reopening ceremony on June 2 at its new 1782 Westover Road location.
The popular pizza place, which has been around in Chicopee for 29 years, had to move its store after its former building was sold.
Aurora’s owner, Aurora McGreevy, said she knew she wanted to stay in Chicopee, even after she found out her former building at 1720 Westover Road was being sold and she couldn’t afford to buy it.
The new location at 1782 Westover Road was formerly Chicken Queen, which served Chicopee for 50 years, including 25 years at the Westover Road
spot, before closing its doors in December 2025.
“He retired, and so it was the right timing for us to just come on down here,” McGreevy stated.
Aurora’s closed for six weeks to execute the move, and ever since it reopened on May 19, business has been great, according to McGreevy.
“They could not wait for us to reopen,” McGreevy said. “All the people coming in were like ‘I’m so glad you’re back, I’m so glad you’re back, I’m so glad you’re back.’ That’s all I’ve heard for like the last two weeks.”
McGreevy said she loves the new location and is hoping that a lot of new customers will stop by, especially because it is part of a busy spot in Chicopee.
The restaurant serves graband-go pizza by the slice and various specialty pies, calzones, grinders, wraps, wings, appe-
about remote meetings to him is that the council is able to reach a quorum so certain items can be addressed.
“We get the business of the city completed because if it takes somebody Zooming in to ensure we have a quorum so we’re not tabling an issue that could be vital to a taxpayer or resident, because we don’t have enough folks able to show up in person, because they’ve somehow been forbidden from showing up via Zoom,” Brooks said. “The quorum issue to me is the most important thing. If we can maintain a quorum to do the work of the city and the benefit of the residents.”
City Council President Frank Laflamme agreed with Brooks and highlighted past situations where the council almost didn’t have a quorum unless he called a councilor to join remotely.
City Councilor Bill Courchesne noted that City Council meetings are not how councilors represent their constituents.
“We don’t show up to council meetings in person to represent our constituents. We show up, whether it’s on Zoom or it’s here,” Courchesne said. “This really isn’t the business of our constituents. This is the business of the city. We take care of our constituents by going to their homes, answering their emails, or texts or messages. That’s how we take care of our constituents. The thought that we have to show here in person to take care of our constituents is crazy.” An executive order was first established by the state in March 2020, and later continued through several actions of the General Court to authorize hosting fully remote and hybrid meetings under the Open
tizers, dinners, salads and some desserts. It’s currently open Tuesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday from 4-9 p.m. The restaurant is closed on Mondays.
“Stop by and check us out,” McGreevy stated. “We’re here. Check us out. Try our food.”
Mayor John Vieau joined the ribbon-cutting and grand reopening ceremony to share his excite
ment about the fact that Aurora’s Pizzeria is staying in the city.
“We’re here and excited for the grand reopening,” Vieau stated. “They’ve been a staple in this neighborhood for many, many years. They have a wonderful following, and I’m sure [their] customer base is really happy that you’re open.”
Vieau said that he enjoys Aurora’s pizza and knows many people in Chicopee who said it is their favorite pizza shop
Meeting Law.
On March 28, 2025, Gov. Maura Healey signed into law a bill that extends the temporary provisions pertaining to Open Meeting Law to June 30, 2027. City Councilor Sam Shumsky questioned if the council even has the authority to set specific rules for the city that counteract the Open Meeting Law.
Pniak-Costello said she just posed the question to hear a discussion and was happy to hear the feedback. McAulife made a motion to defeat the rule change. That motion passed unanimously
in the city. In celebration of the reopening, Aurora’s also received a citation of congratulations from the Massachusetts Senate.
McGreevy said she is looking for kitchen help to assist with the menu. For more information on
City Councilors discussed at its June 2 meeting a proposed rule change to make in-person participation at meetings required.
Photo credit: ChicopeeTV
Aurora’s Pizzeria owner Aurora McGreevy cuts a ribbon to introduce her new location at 1782 Westover Road in Chicopee. Reminder Publishing photo by Tyler Garnet
HOLYOKE
City Council approves sewer rate increase for FY27
By Tyler Garnet tgarnet@thereminder.com
HOLYOKE — Holyoke residents can expect to pay more for their sewer bill after the City Council approved a sewer rate of $8.76 per 1,000 gallons used, an increase from $7.50, during its June 2 meeting.
The discussion came after the Board of Public Works proposed an increased sewer rate of $9.11 per 1,000 gallons used.
The Ordinance Subcommittee met on May 26 to discuss the proposal before recommending the $8.76 rate. City Councilor Linda Vacon, who serves on the Ordinance Subcommittee, said the meetings featured “spirited discussions relative to portions of the contract that are citywide versus those that are only to the sewer users.” After a lengthy conversation, the subcommittee recommended that street sweeping not be considered in the rate. However, Vacon explained that the only thing the City Coun-
cil can do is recommend the rate relative to the budget. The council can not do anything relating to the tax levy.
“The budget that’s before us is the budget that’s us,” Vacon stated.
The original recommendation rate from the Board of Public Works was for an increased sewer rate of $9.11. Vacon said the argument for that proposal was to make the enterprise fund whole. Those not in favor argued that, regardless of the set sewer rate, there would be no reduction in taxes.
Vacon explained, “So, if you’re a sewer user and the rate changes, your rate will go up, but there’s nothing in terms of the budget unless this body by seven votes makes cuts in the budget that will change your tax increase relative to the budget. It will be a situation unless we make significant cuts in the budget, where sewer rates will increase, and along with them, taxes will increase.”
Mayor Joshua Garcia’s pro-
posed budget includes just over $1 million in surplus. The mayor stated that this sounds familiar because he already told the council and the public the same thing last year, but that surplus had to go toward subsidizing the sewer fund.
At the time, Garcia stated, “If we can pass this rate before the budget is set, we can make sure that the taxpayers will continue to benefit from the one million in savings.”
This was not the first time Garcia urged the Holyoke City Council to vote on a new sewer rate for FY27. During the Dec. 2 City Council meeting, Garcia highlighted a sewer deficit of approximately $1.2 million and said that the city needs an updated sewer rate, or else the deficit will likely persist.
In a letter sent to the City Council in December, Garcia urged the City Council to consider establishing a new sewer rate for FY27 and set a sustainable rate that will protect the long-term health of the enterprise fund. The hope is that the new rate would allow the city to invest in critical infrastructure while reducing the burden on taxpayers.
On Dec. 2, City Treasurer Rory Casey said the current sewer rate was $7.50 per 1,000 gallons used. That rate was set in 2021 and was the first increase since 2008. During the June 2 meeting, City Councilor Israel Rivera explained why he was in favor of the $8.76 sewer rate that ultimately passed. “It’s a happy medium in between considering the circumstances that, yes, taxes are going to go up again and everything is
Holyoke Farmers Market returns Wednesdays starting June 10
By Tyler Garnet tgarnet@thereminder.com
HOLYOKE — Holyoke Medi-
cal Center announced the HMC Holyoke Farmers Market reopened on June 10 and will be open every Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. through Sept. 30.
After hosting an indoor Farmers Market from October to May at the Council on Aging, the Holyoke Farmers Market will transition to its outdoor location giving the residents and opportunity to support small businesses and enjoy seasonal products.
Located in the hospital’s Parking Lot D at 575 Beech St., the HMC Holyoke Farmers Market is conveniently close to the front
entrance of the hospital, with valet parking available.
Holyoke residents are encouraged to utilize the hospital’s free transportation shuttles. The transportation schedule is available at holyokehealth.com/ride.
HMC Community Benefits Director Lisa Wray-Schechterle talked about the importance of being able to provide the Farmer’s Market for another year.
“Holyoke Medical Center is excited to partner with the Greater Holyoke Chamber to once again offer a Farmers’ Market for the fourth year. Access to healthy food has continued to be an area of concern for many people in our community, as identified in
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our Community Health Needs Assessments,” Wray-Schechterle said. “We are proud to continuously provide a convenient location and transportation, while also collaboratively partnering with others to make this market a success.”
According to organizer, the market promises an engaging experience for visitors and a valuable opportunity for local vendors to showcase their goods.
The HMC Holyoke Farmers’ Market is a collaboration with the Holyoke Farmers’ Market,
the Greater Holyoke Chamber, Let’s Move Hampden County 5210, and many local businesses. EBT/SNAP and HIP benefits are accepted.
Wray-Schechterle There were 19 vendors that applied to the market but not all will be represented each week. For a weekly list of market participants, readers can visit holyokehealth. com/market.
In addition to the lineup of vendors, Wray-Schechterle said various HMC departments will also offer education throughout
the season. Pediatrics will provide outreach on child safety and offer fun activities for kids.
Endocrinology will provide diabetes education to support community awareness and prevention. The pulmonology center will share information highlighting their lung cancer screening program.
A registered dietitian will share nutrition guidance and periodically will feature a healthy recipe sample with seasonal produce. For more information, readers can visit holyokechamber.com.
the lucky winner, William J. Dean Tech High
The 16th Gary Rome Academic
at
Whiting Farms Road.
Photo credit: Leon Ngyuen
The City Council discusses increasing the sewer rate to $8.76 during its June 2 meeting.
Photo credit: Holyoke Media
See
Meeting outlines plans for battery storage facility
By Tyler Garnet tgarnet@thereminder.com
CHICOPEE — Representatives from Silo Electric, Uriel Renewables and other stakeholders hosted a public meeting on June 4 to discuss plans for a new battery storage facility located at 425 Meadow St. that is set to begin operating in July.
Ryan McGlothlin, founder of Silo Electric, led the meeting to discuss the parameters of the project.
Silo Electric is a Massachusetts-based energy storage developer with three similar five MW projects under construction in the state — Chicopee, Framingham and Lunenburg. Uriel Renewables is the United States arm of a family-owned group that has operated for nearly 100 years with wind, solar, hydro and storage projects across more than nine countries.
Silo Electric develops battery energy storage systems in urban locations and other key intersections on the grid.
According to its website, without these battery storage systems, the intermittent electricity production of wind and solar facilities must be supplemented by
Sewer Rate
Continued from page 4
going up,” Rivera explained. “If we continue to do things that allow for water rates to go up, for sewer rates to go up, for electricity to go up, then we’re always going to be chasing that pendulum in a sense.”
City Councilor Juan Anderson-Burgos explained why he was in favor of the sewer rate recommendation, and he reflected on the drastic increase.
“So, we’re thinking, wow, this is a lot. The real reason why this is a lot is because, we kicked, many, many, many years ago, we kept kicking the can and avoiding what we knew was coming,”
power plants burning fossil fuels. These power plants release harmful emissions and are often located in economically disadvantaged communities.
The battery storage system is a “cleaner backup” according to McGlothlin and it does the job the gas-fired peaker plants used to do during high-demand hours but in a faster, quieter way without burning fuel.
McGlothlin compared the system to a giant rechargeable battery. It charges up when electricity is cheap and plentiful and gives it back when demand is highest.
The project power capacity will be 5 megawatts or has about 20 megawatt-hours stored.
The batteries store electricity and send it back to the grid when the region needs it most. No fuel is burned, there are no emissions, no smokestacks and no water use.
As Massachusetts adds more solar and wind, storage fills the gap — keeping power available when the sun isn’t shining or the wind isn’t blowing.
McGlothlin talked about the potential impact the battery storage plant could have on an electric bill.
“I’m not going to tell you that this is going to lower you electric
Anderson-Burgos said. “Now we have the Board of Public Works saying this amount is the amount that will straighten everything out, and here we go again, kicking the can, trying to find another way to pay this bill.”
City Councilor Michael Sullivan agreed with Anderson-Burgos and said the sewer rate needs to reflect the rising cost of maintaining the city’s current wastewater system.
City Councilor Mimi Panitch stated, “I do appreciate my colleagues’ concern about putting the expensive street sweeping on the ratepayers and not on the entire city, but we just have to decide which allocation is fair and go with it and understand that we are not going to save any money, no matter how we do this.”
bill in some direct way or whatever, it does not. That would be a misrepresentation but ultimately these kinds of facilities do allow for lower electric bills because they allow the grid to run more efficiently,” he explained.
The project will look like a few cabinets, each about the size of a 20-foot shipping container behind a chain-link fence. McGlothlin also explained that the system is quiet and about as loud as a large commercial air-conditioning unit.
McGlothlin said the project sits on a small corner of a much larger industrial property already used for business. The battery storage system is about an 8,000-square-foot fenced area on a 46-acre site.
The project is located by Callaway Golf and is tucked away by the parking lot of Granite City Electric Supply.
Once the site is completed, there will be no onsite staff. The system runs automatically and is watched remotely 24 hours a day.
The project has been in development since 2021 and is expected to begin operating in July.
In terms of safety, McGlothlin said it is built to fire code, is tested before it is installed, has layers
Vacon, who voted against the proposed increase, spoke as a taxpayer and someone who has septic and does not have sewer services available to her.
of protection and is designed to contain a problem.
McGlothlin explained that in a large-scale test, a fire-burning inside one container for 15 hours did not spread to the container next to it. Chicopee firefighters have also received site specific training in case of an incident at the battery storage system.
McGlothlin also talked about the benefits for Chicopee. He stated it will bring in new tax revenue, increase local jobs for the construction and support the city’s clean energy goals. Chicopee has been a state-designated Green Community since 2017. The project advances those goals and reduces reliance on fossil-fuel peaker plants.
The project will also not drain city services as it needs no water, no sewer services and adds little traffic.
McGlothlin also explained that Chicopee is not the first community to host one of the battery storage projects. Lithium-ion battery costs have fallen by about 90% in the last decade. More than a dozen stand-alone battery systems already operate across Massachusetts — the first built in 2019, including two larger sites than the one in Chicopee.
“For my money, looking at this rate, I would prefer that my general tax money be used to make the enterprise fund whole,” Vacon stated. “My taxes aren’t going down; my taxes are still going up. They’re just going to spend the money on something else. It’s not going to make savings for anybody when we increase the rate and then pass the budget that increases the taxes.”
The City Council voted to increase the sewer rate to $8.76 by a 10-2 vote.
The Chicopee Comp Colts boys volleyball team took on Assabet Valley Regional on May 30.
Chicopee Comp boys volleyball coach Brittany Dussault plans strategy with the team during a break.
Jourden Bombard goes high to send the ball over Assabet's defense.
Hunter Pirog bumps an Assabet serve.
CHICOPEE VS ASSABET VALLEY
VOLLEYBALL
The Chicopee High Colts took on the Assabet Valley Aztecs May 30 in the MIAA D2 state tournament, sweeping 3-0.
REMINDER SPORTS PHOTOS TAKEN BY MARC ST. ONGE
Comp Colt Jourden Bombard spikes the ball past Assabet blockers.
Comp junior Raymond Alvarez sets the ball for the Colts.
Marek Strojvus blocks a shot by Rowen Bukow.
Marek Strojvus floats the ball over the net.
Comp Colt players celebrate winning a match against Assabet Valley.
Holyoke Community College celebrates 79th Commencement
HOLYOKE — Some people say, life is like a bowl of cherries; others, like a box of chocolates. To Yasmari Cardenales, though, student orator at Holyoke Community College’s 79th Commencement, it’s more like a jigsaw puzzle.
At first, you’re drawn to the image on the front of the box. “That picture becomes your vision, the person you hope to become, the life you’re working toward,” she said.
You start around the edges, building a foundation. Some pieces fit easily together, others seemingly not at all, leaving you frustrated and uncertain.
“Sometimes,” she said, “you don’t even realize you’ve been holding onto all the right pieces until they suddenly come together.”
“Standing here today,” she said from the commencement stage in the MassMutual Center arena, “I realize just how powerful that moment truly is. It is an incredible honor to be part of the Class of 2026 and an even greater honor to speak in front of you, a room full of people who have all been building their own puzzles, piece by piece, in their own, unique ways.”
The event was both a moment of reflection and celebration for the graduates, their families, and HCC faculty and staff who filled the arena on Saturday, May 30.
This year, the college conferred a total of 849 associate degrees and certificates to 765 graduates, who range in age from 17 to 69 and hail from 71 different Massachusetts cities and towns,
as well as California, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, New York, Vermont, Brazil, Cambodia, Colombia, China, Congo, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, France, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico, Spain, Sri Lanka, Turkey and Ukraine.
“At HCC, you have learned alongside people whose life experiences may have been very different from your own,” said President George Timmons. “You have worked with classmates from different cultures, languages, identities, beliefs, and perspectives. Those experiences matter because they teach us one of the most important lessons any college can offer: that our differences do not weaken us; they strengthen us.”
Faculty speaker Patricia Sullivan, HCC professor of English and an HCC alum from the class of 1976, opened her remarks by asking all the graduates to stand, along with all the other people in the arena with a direct connection to the college.
“Graduates,” she said. “Look around and see that you are a part of our HCC community. HCC will always be part of your story, and HCC is lucky you chose us as the place to further your education.”
As the recipient of the 2026 Elaine Marieb Faculty Chair for Teaching Excellence Award, Sullivan, a lifelong Holyoke resident and teacher at the college since 1981, led the procession of graduates into the arena and gave the keynote address.
“Attending HCC was one of the best decisions I have ever made in my life, and years later,
I was offered a job to teach here,” she said. “It was the thrill of a lifetime. HCC is my second home, and the people here my second family. I could have retired many years ago but have chosen to stay because I love my work here, the institution, and its people. My students have given me so much. You are the real heroes today.”
Cardenales talked about how she had left high school 26 years ago without any idea where her life would take her. Over the years she worked multiple jobs, taking opportunities as they came.
“I stayed involved in my community and kept searching for
where my purpose fit,” she said. “Over the years, I built a life I was proud of. I met my wife — my greatest supporter. We built a home together and welcomed our daughter Sofia into the world.”
Working for the American Red Cross for 20 years taught her compassion, resilience, and the importance of serving others she said. But after COVID, something shifted, the world felt uncertain and so did she.
“I realized there were pieces missing from my puzzle,” she said, “pieces I had been searching for without even knowing their shape.”
She took the leap and enrolled at HCC. On May 30, she graduated with high honors and her associate degree and will attend the Elms College bachelor’s degree program in nursing on a Presidential Scholarship.
“To every adult learner here,” she said in closing, “it’s never too late to begin again. Never stop searching for your missing pieces. Never stop learning. Never stop growing. And never underestimate the power of a community that supports you, challenges you, and believes in your vision. Even when you’re still trying to figure out the picture on the box.”
Holyoke’s Wheels for Hope Car Show returns to High Street June 27
HOLYOKE — The third annual Wheels for Hope Car Show will return to High Street on Saturday, June 27.
The show, which will run from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., is a fundraiser for cancer patients and their families. Money raised will be divided among Holyoke Medical Center’s Oncology Department; Rays for Hope, a Western Massachusetts initiative dedicated to the fight against breast cancer; and children diagnosed with cancer.
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
Alice M. Kovitch
Jeannine M. Martell
Roger A. Nelson
Leshia A. O’Neill-Wolcott
Robert Peterson
EAST LONGMEADOW
Sandra Quadrozzi
HOLYOKE
Rene D. Dulude
Ann C. Gorman
Pearson P. Helliwell Jr.
Thomas W. Manning
LONGMEADOW
Kenneth Norman Kinsley
Jacques C. Leroy Philomena Novitt
LUDLOW
William “Bill” Jarosz
Florence Shea
Linda May Veratti
SOUTH HADLEY
Harvey L. Cook
SPRINGFIELD
Angelina A. Braica
Isabel A. Dumais
Thomas George Gillan Jr.
Josephine Anne Giorgi
Mark W. LaBonte
Barbara J. Murphy
Carter Lee Powell
George E. Sampson
Pasquale Scibelli
Walter J. Solzak
Richard L. Talbot
WILBRAHAM
Jeanne Denoncourt
Dana R. Gahres
Holyoke’s High Street, from Cabot Street to Appleton Street, will be closed to traffic during the one-day show.
The entry fee for exhibitors is $30. Motorcycles and power wheels are welcome. Prizes will be awarded in five categories. A special trophy will be presented by a cancer survivor. The show includes raffles, food, music, face painting and more. Coolers will not be allowed.
The rain date is July 11. For information, call Carmen Rodriguez, 413-210-8896.
HCC graduates at commencement.
Reminder Publishing submitted photo
DINING ENTERTAINMENT
‘La Casita Experience’ to transform MassMutual Center
By Peter Tuohy ptuohy@thereminder.com
SPRINGFIELD — The MassMutual Center will soon host one big celebration of community, blending music and dance, live performances, DJ sets and interactive visuals to represent the high energy nightlife experience rooted in Puerto Rican culture.
“La Casita Experience” rolls into Springfield on June 27, with doors opening at 6 p.m. and the event at 7 p.m. Tickets are $39 for general admission and $67 for VIP.
The event is inspired by the traditional casita, which translates to “little house,” but culturally represents a deep symbol of home and community. Venues are transformed into immersive Caribbean environments where culture lives and breathes, with a custom-built casita structure surrounded by live salsa, bomba y plena performances and nonstop reggaeton.
It is the work of MLopez Promotions, a full service event production and entertainment company, created by Marcos Lopez, that has created high quality live experiences across the northeast for over a decade.
The mission of “La Casita Experience” is to “create cultur-
al experiences to authentically represent Puerto Rican heritage and empower local communities by providing opportunities for artists, vendors and creatives to showcase their talent,” a press release said.
“‘La Casita Experience’ is more than just a cultural event, it is a movement that inspires pride, fosters unity and leaves a lasting legacy of cultural appreciation and community empowerment,” the release stated.
The event is following massive success in Rochester, New York, where it sold out to over 1,000 patrons. It makes a stop in Buffalo, New York, before heading to Springfield.
Jessica Del Valle, who was brought in to assist with marketing and communications for the event, said it’s partly rooted in the experience of a Bad Bunny concert and aligns with the concept of promoting culture, ambiance and the traditions of Puerto Rico.
Bad Bunny, whose real name is Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, recently transformed the field at the 2026 Super Bowl’s Apple Music Halftime Show into a full casita experience, similar to this event, that blended many aspects of Puerto Rican life and culture.
“This is just a whole vibrant
event that really inspires, fosters unity and leads a legacy of cultural appreciation and community empowerment,” Del Valle said. “Anyone that appreciates diversity and enjoys embracing cultural diversity, music, rhythm, will definitely engage with and appreciate the experience. It’s a very colorful and vibrant experience … it’s basically the unity,
community and tolerance in a festive ambiance, in a safe space where music and dances and artistic values can be combined.”
She said the experience in Springfield will be larger than previous shows, so they’re excited to build the space with the “ambiance that people enjoy.”
“There’s usually good Puerto Rican food and there are a lot of
surprises that we try to implement in every city that we go to,” Del Valle said.”
She gave special recognition to the MassMutual Center, Springfield Downtown, and the Springfield Puerto Rican Parade for giving support to the event. Tickets can be purchased at massmutualcenter.com/events/ detail/lacasitaexperience.
Shakespeare production to benefit Center for New Americans
NORTHAMPTON — Reser-
vations are going fast for Valley Players’ music-, magic- and dancing-filled production of “The Tempest,” with half of net ticket sales to be donated to the Center for New Americans to support immigrant and refugee families in the Valley.
The will show go up as a picnic-theater performance at Black Birch Vineyard, 108 Straits Road, Hatfield, on June 11, 12, 19, and 20 at 6:30 p.m. and June 21 at 5:30 p.m. There will also be a one-time performance at the Northampton Center for the Arts, 33 Hawley St., on June 13 at 4:30 p.m.
Tickets are on a pay-what-youcan scale starting at $15 and can be booked at valleyplayers.org. While the June 11 and 12 performances are currently sold out, more tickets may become available for those shows depending on the weather. If more tickets open for those shows, notice will be posted at valleyplayers.org and through Valley Players’ social media and email list.
Guests to the performances
at Black Birch can bring a meal to enjoy during the show or can grab an artisanal pizza from The Vintner’s Slice food truck, as well as choose from a selection of fine wines and other drinks, including non-alcoholic options, from Black Birch Vineyard.
“In our production, there’s something for everyone,” Franks said. “Young love requited, old men vindicated, frolicking fools and goddesses dancing. The audience can relax in a bucolic setting with a picnic and wine, and imagine being at London’s open-air Globe playhouse as our players bring to life Shakespeare’s beautiful words and vision at sunset in the Vineyard.”
“Part of Valley Players’ mission is to build community through community theater,” noted Pangallo, which is why the group donates half of net ticket revenue from each show to another Valley nonprofit with a mission that aligns with the story or themes of the play.
“‘The Tempest’ shows that the power of compassion and being
welcoming is greater even than any magical power,” Pangallo explained, “and that what makes us human is our capacity for empathy.” Because of this, and because the play centers on cultural contact, the plight of the stranger and the power of language, Valley Players decided to use this production to support the Center for New Americans. “It was a natural fit,” Pangallo said, “and given the context of our own historical moment, we felt it important to support the crucial work being done by CNA.”
The Center for New Amer
icans has been welcoming and serving immigrants in western Massachusetts for nearly 35 years by providing free classes
The “La Casita Experience” event in Rochester, New York, in March.
