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JANUARY 15, 2026 | FREE

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EDITION EAST LONGMEADOW

School Committee looks at FY27 budget Assistant Superintendent for Business Pamela Blair presented the East Longmeadow Public Schools’ budget development for fiscal year 2027 during the School Committee meeting on Jan. 5.

Page 4

LONGMEADOW

Progress with Fiberspring project presented to Select Board South Hadley Electric Light Department met with the Longmeadow Select Board to present the current progress in the Fiberspring project at its Jan 5 meeting.

Longmeadow has been partnered with SHELD since 2024 to provide the town with a local fiber network.

Page 6

Gulluni begins “Adopt-a-Class” at Birchland Park

By Peter Tuohy

ptuohy@thereminder.com

EAST LONGMEADOW — Hampden District Attorney Anthony Gulluni visited Birchland Park Middle School’s eighth grade class in East Longmeadow to continue this year’s “Adopt-aClass” program on Jan 6.

The program involves the Hampden District Attorney’s Office “adopting” three classes each year to offer them insight into the criminal justice system. Gulluni is also partnered with the Springfield Legacy Academy and Monson High School.

Gulluni’s initial school visit is an informative session about his responsibilities as DA, followed by a Q&A with the students. The program continues in several parts over the coming weeks through civics lessons and a student-run mock trial. The program concludes with a tour of the Hampden County Hall of Justice, where students may get the opportunity to witness a real trial in progress.

Birchland Park Principal Steve Pearson said the school was lucky enough to be one of three chosen for this year’s program.

“We have an excellent opportunity to get some real life experience on what it means to be a citizen of the United States and what our system of justice is all about,” Pearson said.

Gulluni told the students that they’ll have the opportunity to learn what they may see in shows like “Law and Order,” but from the actual experts in the court-

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Hampden District Attorney Anthony Gulluni visits Birchland Park Middle School.

Reminder Publishing photo by Peter Tuohy

room every day and not from the actors. He said shows like that aren’t typically realistic at all, yet he does recommend “The Lincoln Lawyer.”

For the mock trial, students will portray each role, such as a judge, defense lawyers, prosecutors, witnesses, the jury and police officers. Gulluni said that he hopes this opportunity helps the students learn and potentially aspire to follow one of those career paths moving forward.

“You’re really gonna get to learn from experts about how a trial works, and we hope it helps you learn,” Gulluni said.

“This is all designed to get you guys to learn and understand what we do.”

Gulluni said that when he decided to run for DA, he wanted to do something positive for his community but many didn’t think he would win because he was young and may lack experience.

He said that instead of listening, he worked hard and believed in himself, which the students should aspire to do as they get closer to high school and college.

“If you set your mind to something and you believe in yourself and you work hard, you can achieve whatever you want to

achieve,” Gulluni said.

Gulluni also told students about the 27-year long investigation into the murder of 24-yearold Lisa Ziegert, which was solved in 2019. Ziegert was a teacher in Agawam with a second job at Brittany’s Card and Gift Shoppe, where she went missing on April 15, 1992. Her body was discovered four days later on April 19.

He said that when he came into office 11 years ago, he really wanted to solve that case.

See GULLUNI on page 4

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Toy for Joy campaign rides late surge to strong finish

By Ron Chimelis

Special to Reminder Publishing

A late surge of generosity gave a strong finishing kick to the 103rd edition of the Toy for Joy Christmas campaign.

Thanks to the heartfelt donations of local and regional citizens, businesses and organizations, the 2025 drive brought in $94,317. Under the guidance of first-year Captain Stacy McNeil, and backed by Salvation Army social services manager Danielle LaTaille and dozens of invaluable volunteers, the total rallied in the final weeks.

“Wow, what an incredible show of generosity by the community in support of Toy for Joy. We are so deeply grateful for all of your contributions. We couldn’t have done it without you,” McNeil said.

The Salvation Army sponsors the campaign. McNeil was moved by how many people participated, allowing Toy for Joy to maintain its place as a standard bearer for charitable giving in Western Massachusetts.

Families and children were served at Salvation Army Citadels in Springfield, Holyoke and Greenfield. In Springfield alone,

more than 1,600 families and 4,300 children experienced the joy of Christmas gifts through Toy for Joy. In the final days of the drive, many generous donors helped raise the final total. Always a set of loyal contributors, the Pathfinder Regional School of Three Rivers School Committee joined with Superintendent Eric Duda to donate $235.

Matching donations from The Republican employees totalled $2,350.

From the law offices of Mark E. Salamone came $972. Lia Toyota answered the children’s

need in a huge way with $2,500, as did Connecticut Valley Artesian Well with $1,000.

Robert and Roberta Bolduc continued their leadership in charitable giving with $2,500.

Joseph O’Brien gave $1,000, with Caroline Gruszka ($250), and a $300 donation was given in memory of Michael J. Farrell, “Mugsy” Silansky and Paul “Sammy” Samble.

Not to be overlooked were the hundreds and even thousands of dollars given anonymously, or the donations of any size by citizens who were determined to do their part in mak-

ing this a Merry Christmas for the children.

Plans are already being discussed for the 104th edition of Toy for Joy, which will roll out in the fall of 2026. The Salvation Army, volunteers who helped the cause and sponsoring media (The Republican, Reminder Publishing, MassLive and El Pueblo Latino).

All of those involved have deep and profound gratitude for those who participated to make so many children happy at Christmas, and look forward to the 2026 Toy for Joy campaign next fall.

Oliveira sees affordability as the state’s main challenge in 2026

By Sarah Heinonen

sheinonen@thereminder.com

This is the second year of the 2025-2026 legislative session.

Typically, the first year of the session sees a flurry of activity, with about 7,000 bills filed. State Sen. Jake Oliveira filed more than 700 bills himself in 2025. In the latter half of the session, though, the bills work their way through committee and will, ideally, be taken up on the floor of the Senate.

Many of those bills will address one major issue with several heads. Like the hydra of Greek mythology, the monster that is affordability must be attacked from multiple angles.

Oliveira explained that utility costs are “crippling” seniors and those on fixed incomes. When it comes to electricity, he said, “Delivery charges frustrate me, frustrate my constituents. They’re higher sometimes than the supply cost.” Delivery charges are the set fees utilities charge to use their wires and poles to carry electricity to customers. In most municipalities, one utility owns most of the infrastructure, forcing people to pay their delivery charges. It does not have to be that way, though.

He said cities and towns with a municipally owned utility, like Chicopee, charge nearly half the distribution fee of Eversource. He said the state Department of Public Utilities is investigating why delivery costs are so high.

“People shouldn’t have to choose between paying for electricity and buying groceries, or paying a bill or buying medicine,” Oliveira said.

Another issue Oliveira is working on is the housing crisis. Despite the 2024 passage of the Affordable Homes Act, a five-year housing bond bill, people are still being priced out of the housing market.

“I’m a big fan of mixed-use housing,” Oliveira said, referring to buildings that contain a combination of housing units, offices, restaurants and shops. Redeveloping vacant buildings from the state’s industrial past lends itself to such uses. He cited the mixeduse redevelopment of the Ludlow Mills in his hometown. The housing there is age-restricted for seniors.

“We need to end a lot of these age caps,” Oliveira said. This would allow more young and middle-aged people who are current-

State Sen. Jake Oliveira represents the Hampden, Hampshire and Worcester District in the state Senate.

Reminder Publishing file photo

ly priced out of homeownership to buy units in housing developments. “Springfield used to be the City of Homes,” he said. “Now, it’s a city of renters. A lot of that goes to affordability.”

Not everyone is sold on state-initiated housing changes.

Since the Affordable Homes Act

was passed, many municipalities have expressed concern and frustration that the state is mandating housing changes, such as allowing accessory dwelling units and affordable housing. Oliveira rejects the assertion that the Affordable Homes Act is forcing new restrictions on municipalities.

Chapter “40B has been on the books for decades. It just wasn’t enforced,” he said of a law setting a threshold of 10% affordable housing in each municipality. He said the Legislature tried to partner with each of the state’s 351 municipalities to avoid a one-sizefits-all approach. “There needs to be a balance and a recognition that residents in Massachusetts can’t afford to buy houses. A lot of young people are leaving, and when you ask why, they say it’s because its unaffordable.”

Then, there is the issue of healthcare. The passage of the federal One Big Beautiful Bill, which

Oliveira called the “Big Ugly Bill,” changed health and tax credits. Some of Oliveira’s constituents are going to pay “tens of thousands” of dollars more this month than they did in 2025. He said it is most harmful to those people who are retired but not yet old enough to qualify for Medicare.

The state and municipalities are seeing 10% annual increases in health care costs, while tax revenue typically increases by just 3% each year. Health care is “crowding out” other government programs and initiatives, he said.

Health care is also the largest employer in Oliveira’s district, which encompasses towns from Warren to South Hadley and from Belchertown to the Connecticut line. He also represents parts of Chicopee and Springfield, the latter of which is home to Baystate Health and Mercy Medical Center.

See OLIVEIRA on page 4

CORRECTION In the Dec. 25 edition of The Reminder, Gerard N. Aubrey’s name was incorrectly placed under the Hampden section of the obituaries, Aubrey was from Holyoke, we regret this error.

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East Longmeadow School Committee looks at FY27 budget

By Peter Tuohy

for FY27 until around the third week of January, but was $15.5 million for the current FY26.

Grants are another form of revenue utilized in the budget process, staying pretty similar from year to year. During the meeting, the committee accepted two grants from Grynn & Barrett in the amount of $1,057.75 to the Mapleshade gift account and $2,043.41 to Birchland Park Middle School’s gift account.

The district has a number of revolving accounts, which “separately accounts for specific revenues and earmarks them for expenditure by a board or officer without appropriation for particular purposes to support the activity, program or service that generated the revenues,” according to the Massachusetts Department of Revenue.

The athletic account, which covers the $500,000 that the

ptuohy@thereminder.com

EAST LONGMEADOW — Assistant Superintendent for Business Pamela Blair presented the East Longmeadow Public Schools’ budget development for fiscal year 2027 during the School Committee meeting on Jan. 5.

The district carried over $925,000 from FY25 into FY26 and projects $900,000 to carry into FY27, The goal is to try to not spend one full year’s revenues in 2027.

A large revenue source for the district is the Chapter 70 state aid, which provides funding for school operations.

It also establishes minimum spending requirements for each school district and minimum requirements for each municipality’s share of school costs.

The amount won’t be disclosed

athletic department costs, is one of the largest revolving accounts. The School Choice account is also relied on heavily, covering $350,000 to $450,000 for supplies. The account allots $5,000 per pupil with reimbursement for special education costs. $358,000 carried over from FY25 into FY26 and a revenue of $283,000 is projected, leaving $292,000 to roll over into FY27.

On the expenditures side for FY27, the current budget will be around $36.9 million. Salaries in the district make up around 80% at $29.7 million, with contractual obligations soon to affect the operating budget.

There are over 240 teachers going into their third and final year of contracts. Ninety-nine paraprofessionals are currently on their final contract year and will have negotiations for 2027 in the near future. There are 19

secretaries in the secretary association’s bargaining unit in the second year of its contract and 18 custodians who follow that same contract. There are 15 administrators and four central office clerical staff with individual contracts, and 11 employee atwill agreements with individuals performing services for individualized education programs.

Blair said the expense side of the budget is $7.2 million, approximately 20%. The total operating budget is $4.5 million, leaving $2.7 million for everything else. Digital licences cost around $60,000 with some of that price covered by the School Choice revolving account.

These typically go up around 3-5% yearly, and the committee is trying to be fiscally conservative because many of the licenses are tied into the curriculum.

Blair also noted that the Lower Pioneer Valley Educational

Collaborative, which provides services for career and technical education, special education, transportation and Medicaid reimbursement, reduced the regular transportation by one bus for FY27. Blair said she is trying to figure out why and is concerned it may cause overcrowded buses and buses arriving at school late.

The committee was scheduled to meet with the Town Council to discuss the budget on Jan. 13, after Reminder Publishing’s deadline. Coverage of this meeting will appear in the Jan. 22 edition.

During the meeting, the committee also discussed questions for the superintendent candidates who were scheduled to be interviewed on Jan. 15. Coverage of the interviews and the committee’s discussion will appear in the Jan. 22 edition of The Reminder.

Holyoke Community College announces fall 2025 dean’s list HOLYOKE — Each semester, Holyoke Community College recognizes superior scholarship through the dean’s list. A student is placed on the dean’s list if their G.P.A. is 3.2 or higher.

The following local students have earned dean’s list honors for the fall 2025 term: East Longmeadow Lily Gail Bernier, Sarah Con-

rad, Aubrey Lee Coutinho, Alexander Charles Joyce, Olivia Marcella Labonte, Cameron James Loranger, Andrew Makara, Ekaterina Evgenevna Melnikova, Vitoria Moran, Southep Phetmany, Xayavong Phetmany, Cassidy Noelle Pike, John Racine, Jillian Marie Scully, Hailey Renee Sutton, Justin Tran, Ella Margaret Wallace, Robert Edward Zemba.

Hampden Adelaide Fay, Adison Oliveras, Adam Edward Poulin.

Longmeadow Jack Ian Baker, James Gardiner Barnhart, Michael Edward Barton, Bahadir Birer, Aiden William Bombard, Reatrey Chen, Thomas William Cosgrove III, Alize Nextaci Diaz, Laura Catherine Frame, Mirna Hakim

Gulluni

Continued from page 1

“If someone you love was hurt, you would want to know what happened and why. You would want someone to be held accountable,” Gulluni said. “Her family desperately wanted answers, they wanted accountability, they wanted justice. That’s what I do and what the system strives for, which is justice.”

Gulluni said his office used DNA preserved from 1992 to es-

Oliveira Continued from page 2

Cuts to health care will have significant repercussions on the economy and jobs in Western Massa-

Hashim, Sawyer Bean Hindley, Suhyun Lee, Lia Claire Lukezic, Benjamin Jacob Mahoney, Lindsey Victoria Mellis, Braeden Jerrold Mrozek, Jack Mrozek, Daniel Theodore Perez, Ronan Michael Quinn, Brady Matthew Russell, Julien Abbott Shanks, Samantha Trent, Nicholas Williams.

Wilbraham tablish what the suspect may look like, which then led to a match with Gary Schara. Schara pleaded guilty to the murder in 2019 and was sentenced to life in prison without parole.

“So 25-plus years later, because of forensic technology, because of good police work, because of the work that my office did, we figured out what happened to Lisa Ziegert back in April of 1992,” Gulluni said.

“Some of the best moments of my professional life, my jobs, were telling Lisa’s mother and father

that we solved the case and that someone was going to be held accountable … that must have been really hard for them not having those answers.”

The visit ended with a lengthy Q&A session, where students asked Gulluni different questions about things like forensic testing, how to become a lawyer and the different types of cases.

Looking forward through the program, Gulluni will meet with the students twice more in the coming weeks, concluding with the private courthouse tour.

chusetts, he said.

Oliveira said that part of the problem is a lack of medical professionals licensed in Massachusetts. Legislation that he filed allowing physician assistants licensed in other states to work in

Massachusetts is in committee.

Supply is only one aspect of the issue, though. Pharmaceutical benefit managers work as intermediaries between insurance companies and pharmacies managing drug prices. Oliveira said those intermediaries — the three largest of whom are Optum RX, CVS Caremark and Express Scripts — are profitable and drive up prices. In 2024, the state Legislature passed licensing requirements for pharmaceutical benefit managers.

The health care issue, like housing, requires an “all-handson-deck” approach, but “unless the federal government is a partner,” Oliveira said the situation will not improve.

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EAST LONGMEADOW | JANUARY 15 - 21, 2026

TOWN EVENTS www.TheReminder.com

Please email your community listings to: dhackett@thereminder.com Items are printed on a space available basis.

EAST LONGMEADOW EAST LONGMEADOW PUBLIC LIBRARY

The following events are organized by the East Longmeadow Public Library, 60 Center Square. For more information or to register, head to eastlongmeadowlibrary.org or call 413-525-5420. The library will be closed on Jan. 19 for Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Adult programs: • Origami Workshop — Jan. 20 6-7 p.m.

• The New Menopause: A Discussion for Women’s Health — Tuesday, Jan. 27 at 6 p.m.

A conversation about women’s midlife health, inspired by Dr. Mary Claire Haver’s book “The New Menopause.”

Teen programs: • Cupcake Wars — Tuesday, Jan. 20 at 2:30 p.m. Battle it out cupcake-style with other teens.

Two cupcakes, two themes, one panel of judges. Grades 6-12 welcome. All ingredients will be provided. Space fills up fast.

Children programs: • Wiggles and Giggles — Wednesday, Jan. 21 at 10 a.m.

EAST LONGMEADOW HISTORICAL MUSEUM HOURS

The East Longmeadow Historical Museum, located at 87 Maple St. East Longmeadow, will open Saturday, Jan. 17. And as always, with free admittance. The museum boasts an impressive display of local history and many treasures such as period furniture and clothing displays, antique quilts, and Native American relics. There is also a display of artifacts from EL’s Redstone mining era from the town’s

many quarries. Any donated heirlooms for the museum’s collections will be accepted. Guided tours are available.

HAMPDEN HAMPDEN SENIOR CENTER

The following events are organized by the Hampden Senior Center, 104 Allen St. For more information or to register for programs, call 413566-5588.

• Greeting Cards with Ellie — Monday, Jan. 26, 1-3 p.m. Cost is $3 per person. All materials are provided.

• Pickleball Clinic with Mary Grassetti — Wednesday, Jan. 21, at 11 a.m.

• National Pie Day with Entertainment by Rick Gilday — Friday, Jan. 23 at 12:30 p.m.

LONGMEADOW RICHARD SALTER STORRS LIBRARY

The following events take place at the Richard Salter Storrs Library, 593 Longmeadow St. For more information or to register for programs, call 413-565-4181, or head to longmeadowlibrary.org. The library will be closed on Jan. 19 for Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Youth programs: • First Line Book Club (grades 2-3) — Tuesday, Jan. 20, 3:304 p.m. This second and third grade book group explores books that draw readers in from the very first line. Each month we’ll enjoy a page-turning chapter book and meet to discuss what kept us turning those pages. This month’s book selection is The Great Puptective by Alina Tysoe.

• LHS Late Nights — Tuesday, Jan. 20, Wednesday, Jan. 21 and Thursday, Jan. 22 from 8-10 p.m. Longmeadow High School students are invited to study for final exams until 10 p.m. at Storrs Library. Meeting rooms are available for group study and refreshments will be provided. LHS ID required for admission. This is an LHS only

event, the library will be closed to all others.

• Fortune Tellers Makers — Thursday, Jan. 22, 3:30-4 p.m.

Come learn how to make and decorate your own Fortune Tellers! For ages 10 and up!

• Page to Screen Club: “Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs” — Friday, Jan. 23, 12:15-2:15 p.m. All ages are invited to join the Page to Screen Club! Each month we pick a movie that’s based on a book and watch it together! This month the group is watching “Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs” (PG).

Adult programs: • Cookbook Club — Tuesday, January 20, 1:00-2:30 p.m.

Love to cook? Visir the library for Lunchtime Cookbook Club!

Every month, we will explore a different chef, cuisine or cookbook. This program welcomes anyone who would like to try new recipes and share their prepared dish from the month’s selected book or chef. Every month is a food bonanza as we sample and discuss the many different recipes we prepare.

Novice cooks are always welcome! This month’s selection: Jacques Pepin • Library Virtual Speakers: Nature, Art, and Service as Medicine with Journalist Julia Hotz — Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2-4 p.m.

• VIRTUAL: 50+ Job Seekers Networking Group — Wednesday, Jan. 21, 9:30-11:30 a.m.

• The National Gun Foundry at Springfield, 1777-1801: The Nation’s first industrial investment in national defense — Wednesday, Jan. 21, 6:30-7:30 p.m.

•

•

presentation helps you start thinking about preparing for your future. Forastiere Family Funeral & Cremation will explain how pre-planning your final wishes provides you with the opportunity to continue your legacy for your family.

This gift is a thoughtful step to provide you with peace of mind, and your loved ones the comfort of knowing that these important decisions are taken care of for the future.

“Foes of a Minimum Wage Guard” — Wednesday, Jan. 21 at 1:30 p.m. Writer and performer Ken Harris portrays the story of an aging security guard and 11 other characters in this recently Broadway featured solo show! Steve Smelly finally has a day off but when his menacing manager demands he reports to work, chaos unfolds making Smelly face moral and physical challenges. Producer Angela Grout, former owner of Agawam Flower Shop; and Host of the yWrite Podcast; along with Director Michael “Buster” McMahon, writer of the Michael Buster McMahon Televised Radio Playhouse & Used Tire Company are proud to showcase this one hour performance.

Drums with Tara — Thursday,

Jan. 22 at 1:30 p.m. If you have a heartbeat, you can drum!

For millennia, drumming has brought people together to create peace, health and wellness.

The uplifting rhythms of Africa relieve stress and help people connect with each other, as well as their own joy. Tara Murphy leads creative movement and drum classes for seniors of all abilities. Please note, this is a high-energy program, be prepared for a workout! Registration required, spaces limited.

LONGMEADOW DEMOCRATIC TOWN COMMITTEE MEETING

On Wednesday, Jan. 21 at 6:30 p.m., the Longmeadow Democratic Town Committee will hold their monthly meeting. The meeting will be held at the Longmeadow Adult Center, 211 Maple Road, in the Multipurpose Room. LDTC member Bill Johnson presents “Hidden in Plain Sight: The dark truth behind the chains at the feet of the Statue of Liberty”. America has a long history of treating people with dark complexions, both immigrants and enslaved people, unfairly. Yet they still rise. After the presentation, we’ll take some time to share ideas on next steps to reclaim our democracy. Bring some non-perishable items for the food drive.

Experience the local news coverage you love in a new way.

LONGMEADOW ADULT CENTER

The following programs are organized by the Longmeadow Adult Center, located at 211 Maple Road For more information or to sign up for programs, call 413-565-4160 option 1.

• Final Planning Talk — Tuesday, Jan. 20 at 1:30 p.m. This

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LONGMEADOW www.TheReminder.com

Fiberspring project progress presented to Select Board

By Peter Tuohy

ptuohy@thereminder.com

LONGMEADOW — The South Hadley Electric Light Department met with the Longmeadow Select Board to present the current progress in the Fiberspring project at its Jan 5 meeting. Longmeadow has partnered with SHELD since 2024 to provide the town with a local fiber network.

Fiberspring is a high-speed internet service, powered and introduced by SHELD in 2019, that delivers fiber optic networks directly to homes. Optical fibers use pulses of light along thin pieces of glass to carry out signals rather than electricity.

A wide range of benefits are available through Fiberspring, such as a lower monthly rate, compared to Xfinity or Verizon.

It also typically provides faster

download and upload speeds, the capacity for more connected devices and isn’t affected by power surges. Fiberspring also notes that a fiber network can add about $5,000 to the purchase price of a house.

SHELD and Fiberspring General Manager Sean Fitzgerald began the presentation with the project’s history since 2024 before turning it over to Director of Operations Adam St. Martin.

Fitzgerald said a lot of work has been done in the past 12 months.

On the engineering and design side, SHELD conducted 91 miles of walkout data collection through the town, which rolls over to the pole applications to Verizon and Eversource. Fifty-four applications would be submitted for 2,268 poles in the town.

“As we developed the engineering, the consideration and

part of the boots on the ground evaluation was to count all the passings and make sure that we had sufficient fiber to support access for all those individuals,” St. Martin said.

A central office would be the “brain of the operation,” located next to existing Verizon infrastructure near the high school’s tennis courts. It would be used as a network and distribution hub, equipment housing and fiber management. St. Martin detailed a centralized pond network that would manifest itself from the central office and proliferate throughout the town. Twenty seven different fiber service areas would each get above ground fiber distribution cabinets to split the fiber and provide service throughout the town.

p.m. at LYA, 1148 Converse St. in Longmeadow. Dinner will follow at 5:30 p.m. Dinner will include a gourmet Shabbat dinner complete with Shabbat delicacies. A special children’s program is being planned.

The guest speaker for the evening will be Rabbi Mordechai Dinerman, co-director of

curriculum at the Rohr Jewish Learning Institute. Dinerman participated in the creation of more than 30 JLI courses spanning many areas of Jewish scholarship.

Dinerman enriches minds through his podcast exploring Jewish history and Jewish Law. He is an educator at Beth Rivkah

A projected map of each of the 27 fiber service areas.

Photo credit: South Hadley Electric Light Department

See FIBERSPRING on page 7

LYA to present One Shabbat One World on Jan. 23 LONGMEADOW — Fresh home baked challah, gourmet Shabbat food, words of inspiration, and a feeling of community warmth await you on Friday night, Jan. 23 as Lubavitcher Yeshiva Academy presents One Shabbat One World.

The festivities will begin with Shabbat services at 4:45

Division of Higher Learning in Brooklyn and spiritual leader of Unzer Shul in Crown Heights. He resides in Brooklyn, New York, with his wife and five children.

The fee for the dinner is $25 for an adult, $7 for children under 11 and a family price (two parents and all their chil-

dren) of $60.

Attendees are requested to RSVP by Monday, Jan. 19.

Call LYA at 413-567-8665 or email: info@LYA.org or online at LYA.org. Checks should be made payable to LYA and may be mailed to 1148 Converse St, Longmeadow, MA 01106. Your check is your reservation.

WRSD to offer Sign Language classes for community starting in Feb. LONGMEADOW — Willie Ross School for the Deaf has announced its spring term of American Sign Language classes beginning Tuesday, Feb. 3 at the school’s Longmeadow campus, 32 Norway St. Classes will be held once a week on Tuesday evenings from 6:30-8 p.m., and will run for 13 weeks through May 12 (there are no classes on Feb. 17 or April 21).

Registration is $175 for the term, and those interested can

sign up at wrsdeaf.org/american-sign-language-classes. Registration will also be open on the evening of the first class, Feb. 3, from 6-6:30 p.m. Sign language classes are taught by deaf individuals.

WRSD will offer Levels 1A, 1B, 2A, 2B and 3. All class levels begin on Feb. 3, and during the first class WRSD teaching staff assess participants’ fluency to determine the best level placement.

Individuals must be at least 16

years of age to participate.

The Level 1A beginner course is for students who have no previous experience in sign language or fingerspelling. Students will learn the manual alphabet and will learn to combine words to form simple sentences. The Level 1B course will focus on expanding basic vocabulary and conversation skills.

The Level 2A intermediate course will focus on further expanding vocabulary and

conversation skills; and the 2B course is designed for students who possess a strong basic sign language vocabulary and fluency in expressive and receptive communication.

The Level 3 course will emphasize receptive and expressive discourse with ASL users, focus on non-manual signals, complex grammatical construction, and idiomatic expressions.

All WRSD sign language courses use the Signing Natural-

ly curriculum. Books are available for purchase for $85. Certificates of completion will be issued based upon three or fewer absences. To learn more, visit wrsdeaf.org/american-sign-language-classes.

WRSD is also offering a free sign language course for parents and guardians of Willie Ross School for the Deaf students on Wednesday evenings. Handout materials will also be available in Spanish.

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Neal talks passage of health care credits, ICE shooting

By Sarah Heinonen

The East Longmeadow Reminder is published weekly by Reminders Publishing, LLC.

sheinonen@thereminder.com

Fiberspring Continued from page 6

St. Martin said a centralized network will also help identify and troubleshoot issues much faster, maximizing uptime for customers. Each fiber service area accounts for 288 customers and holds spare fiber to allow for future development or housing.

Financial Manager Michael Conchieri then ran the Select Board through the project’s financial review. Initially, the cost was looking to be around $25 million with a 50% take rate at $85 per subscriber. With the new data, SHELD now believes the project may cost $27.2 to $30 million, depending on a take rate between 40-60%. Conchieri said a higher take rate means a higher cost per subscriber, potentially at $90 per subscriber, and it may be at least seven to 14 years before the town sees a positive cash flow.

“People may look at that and say, ‘wow, that’s not great,’” Fitzgerald said. “You have to remember, you’re building a utility.

You’re building a 50 to 100 year utility, and it’s not an easy task but it’s a great task if you can accomplish it.”

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Thune will decide whether to allow the vote to come to the floor.

The Senate was unsuccessful in extending the tax credits in December 2025, with a vote of 5148. Now, however, Neal thinks the math has changed.

“We think they should take this measure up,” Neal said.

“There could be effort between the two chambers.” He added that he believes the tax credits would pass in the Senate. Even if it does, however, the matter would be sent to President Donald Trump’s desk, where it could face a veto. It is unlikely that the required two-thirds of both the House and Senate would vote to override the veto.

Neal also addressed the shooting of a Minnesota woman by Immigration and Customs En-

forcement agents. ICE has alleged that the woman, Renee Nicole Good, tried to intentionally hit agents with her vehicle. However, bystander video shows that when one ICE agent attempted to open her driver’s side door and reached into the vehicle, Good turned her wheels away from the agent in front of the vehicle and tried to flee.

“She was not a domestic terrorist. She was a mother of three,” Neal said, chastising Vice President JD Vance for his description of the incident. Of the deadly interaction, he said, “It was inevitable because of the escalation” of tactics by ICE. “The tactics that are being used are, again, over the top.”

While Trump originally stated that ICE agents were being

deployed to arrest “the worst of the worst,” Neal said people who are in the country legally are being apprehended after voluntarily going to courthouses for routine paperwork review.

To prevent such incidents in the future, Neal said, “There needs to be some restraint on the part of ICE. There’s also been some lag in training,” amidst efforts to increase ICE’s ranks. He said the training is necessary as “crowd control” is not among ICE’s responsibilities.

Asked if Congress will take action to prevent more deaths during ICE’s interaction with the public, Neal said, “Congress is going to react to opinion, and opinion right now is pretty clear” that ICE’s actions are “over the top.”

Select Board Vice Chair Veneeth Hemavathi said that something he thinks should be noted is that although it may be a $27.2 to $30 million project, most of the cost would be covered by subscriber fees. The amount the town would be paying is between $1.5 to $4.3 million based on the take rate. He said the worst case scenario would be the town covering the $4.3 million at a 40% take rate.

“I think the other unique part about what makes this project much different than other capital projects is that we are offering our residents an opportunity to take a monthly bill that they already have … and to replace that bill with something that’s most likely going to be much cheaper for them,” Hemavathi said. “When we’re talking about reducing costs or making it more affordable to live in Longmeadow, this is a way to make it more affordable to live in Longmeadow in the long run.”

Hemavathi said a phrase that keeps coming back is “fiber is future proof,” and if the technology was expected to become obsolete, the town wouldn’t be asking to borrow $30 million to implement it. He said fiber performance has been monitored over two years in

South Hadley and there was only one report of a small outage that lasted for an hour.

“That is such a stark difference to what we have now,” Hemavathi said. “If you go to the Longmeadow open forum any day, people are complaining. The internet service is disrupting their work from home, disrupting school work, disrupting their entertainment.

To just have something that you know is going to just work and something you just don’t have to even worry about. I mean that is priceless.”

Select Board member Andrew Lam said that everyone has acknowledged that moving forward is a risk, but there is a good chance the risk could turn into a wonderful investment.

Moving forward, SHELD plans on getting “make-ready costs” from pole owners to create a refined cost projection. A town vote will then be conducted in May to approve funding and construction. A two-thirds vote by the town will be required for approval.

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Reminder Publishing file photo

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U.S. Rep. Richard Neal speaks at a press conference in November 2025.

HUNTIN GTON

SPRINGFIELD — After months of back-and-forth, a federal government shutdown and the U.S. House of Representatives voted 230-196 to resurrect the expired Affordable Care Act tax credits for three years.

The tax credits were created as a response to the coronavirus pandemic, subsidizing the cost of health care bought on health care marketplaces. As part of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act that Congress passed in July 2025, the tax credits were not renewed, and beginning in January this year, many Americans saw their premiums skyrocket. Since the fall, when Congress was negotiating the federal budget, Democrats have worked to force a vote extending the credits, allowing the House and Senate time to craft new legislation. The federal shutdown that happened in October 2025 and ended nearly two months later hinged on whether the Republicans in control of the House would allow a vote to extend the tax credits.

While House Speaker Mike Johnson would not agree to bring a House vote on the issue, House Democrats, with the help of four Republicans, passed a discharge petition, which allows a simple majority of the house to force a vote. On Jan. 8, 17 Republicans joined all House Democrats in the approving the extension of the subsidies. However, the issue is far from settled.

“There’s a great sense of urgency,” said U.S. Rep. Richard Neal, speaking from the Federal Courthouse in Springfield on Jan. 9. He said the issue will now go to the Senate, where Republican Senate Majority Leader John

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O’NEILL INDUCTED INTO SIGMA THETA TAU INTERNATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY OF NURSING MANCHESTER, NEW HAMPSHIRE — Saint Anselm College student Colleen O’Neill from East Longmeadow, a nursing major in the class of 2026, has been inducted into the Epsilon Tau-atLarge Chapter of the Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing for the 2025-2026 academic year. Sigma Theta Tau is the second-largest nursing organization in the world with over 135,000 active members in more than 100 countries globally. The society is committed to advancing world health and celebrating nursing excellence through scholarships, leadership and service.

BERTHIAUME INDUCTED INTO PHYSICAL THERAPY PRO BONO NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY NORTH HAVEN, CONNECTICUT — Quinnipiac University physical therapy student Gabrielle Berthiaume, of East Longmeadow, Massachusetts, has been inducted into the Physical Therapy Pro Bono National Honor Society. Founded in 2014, the Physical Therapy Pro Bono Honor Society recognizes outstanding physical therapy students who provide pro bono service as part of their education.

FORT HAYS STATE UNIVERSITY ANNOUNCES FALL 2025 GRADUATES HAYS, KANSAS — Christopher Brennan, with a master of professional studies, was one of approximately 981 graduates recognized by Fort Hays State University during its fall 2025 commencement ceremonies Friday and Saturday, Dec. 12-13, at Gross Memorial Coliseum in Hays, Kansas.

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School Committee talks moving eighth grade to Minnechaug

By Peter Tuohy

ptuohy@thereminder.com

WILBRAHAM — The Hampden-Wilbraham Regional School District School Committee discussed the potential of moving eighth grade students at Wilbraham Middle School into Minnechaug Regional High School at its Jan. 8 meeting.

The discussion comes after a couple months of planning within the School Committee regarding the ongoing Massachusetts School Building Authority project. The committee received approval in December from the Wilbraham Select Board and Hampden Selectboard to withdraw from the MSBA accelerated repair program and apply for the core program, with a clause from Hampden to submit a comprehensive five-year plan on what can be done for the middle school during the ongoing project.

Committee member Sean Kennedy said during the Dec. 18 meeting that he believed moving the eighth graders was always the plan.

“That would free up space; when I talked to [Principal] John Derosia, he said the number one thing we need is space,” Kennedy said. “Number two, security, number three, health. Health is the air, health is the asbestos floor tilings coming up.”

Committee member Michael Tiribassi also said on Dec. 18 that moving eighth graders would have never been a long-term solution due to projections of

the student body rising by over 200 in the next 10 years, eventually moving the overcrowdedness at the middle school to the high school.

Committee member Rich Rediker began the new discussion and said that if he were in eighth grade, he would want to move into Minnechaug and that it would need to be proposed to families properly.

“Given the condition of Wilbraham Middle School, given the overcrowding at Wilbraham Middle School, given that right now, you can take a percentage of people in the eighth grade and put them into much nicer accommodations,” Rediker said.

Kennedy said that some parents have expressed fears of moving their children into Minnechaug due to being around older students and mentioned his own experience with his son, who is currently doing his eighth grade year at Minnechaug through the Innovative Career Pathways Program alongside 19 other students.

The program is designed to expose students to work in high-demand industries to prepare them for life after graduation.

“He loves the school,” Kennedy said. “He loves most of his teachers and he does love the relationships that he has with upperclassmen, it’s a positive thing in his life. I understand what people were saying before but I’ve seen what my son has gone through and I’m telling you right now, he has a jump on every oth-

er eighth grader that is coming to Minnechaug next year because he is already used to this school, the school is his home … will it be different with more students, it could be, but I’m telling in every way that the positives yes, the negatives, yes, this was an outstanding experiment that has benefited my child.”

Kennedy said that the praise for Minnechaug isn’t negative towards Wilbraham Middle School because the teachers and administration there are still doing incredible work for the students, but moving the eighth grade would benefit the students so there’s no adjustment when freshman year begins.

Tiribassi followed up Kennedy and said he is still strongly against moving the eighth grade to Minnechaug despite the capacity and physical state of Wilbraham Middle School, because overcrowding the high school isn’t the solution.

“If the situation in the middle school really deteriorated to where it was like, we had no other choice, then we would have to start thinking about where we can farm off kids into other buildings as a temporary stopgap measure,” Tiribassi said. “Right now, I’m personally against moving the majority of the eighth grade into the high school.”

He added that it wasn’t just his belief either, but people in both towns felt the same way, and it is part of his responsibility to represent the people who’ve

elected him.

Kennedy asked what the other choice might be, and Tiribassi said Derosia noted that 50 to 100 more students makes it an “unworkable situation,” and that they would have no choice but to move a significant number to the high school. Tiribassi said he would want Derosia to tell the committee “we are at the wall, we can’t take anymore kids.”

Committee Secretary Lisa Murray said she was frustrated they were still having this discussion because she believed it had been put to bed. She is also against moving the eighth grade.

“We were literally talking about this a year ago,” Murray said. “We had all residents make a resounding ‘no.’ Nothing has changed at the middle school since that. I know that there’s talk about eighth grade moving up there before this happened, it was still a resounding no then too.”

She said they’re trying to provide a space where the students feel welcomed and doesn’t believe moving the eighth grade opens that space.

Superintendent John Provost said whatever they do, they will be faced with a crisis at the middle school before there is the potential for an answer that provides space. He is not in favor of moving the eighth grade just because of the conditions of the middle school. He said he could imagine himself being in favor as part of a plan in getting the middle school to a place it needs to

be in. He said he hopes they’re accepted into the core program so a feasibility study can be done to pinpoint options for a plan.

“With no disrespect to myself or anyone else who’s been thinking about it, we don’t know what the answer is, right, because we haven’t been able to do it,” Provost said. “We keep circling around the same ideas over and over again. I really hope we have the opportunity for people who are experts in the field to say ‘here are your best three options.’”

Provost said the core program would be a minimum six years and Kennedy asked what will ,be done during those six years.

He said he has asked for choices towards what can be done to mitigate the issues and he has not been given any.

Committee member Tim Collins said he doesn’t want to see a rush to judgment and correct the middle school’s problem by creating a high school problem. He said there are a lot of different ways to approach it, but the bottom line is, the needs of students in the district have been ignored for a decade.

“As a person who spent 25 years teaching middle school, that’s the last place you want to overcrowd,” Collins said. “I mean, think about it, kids that age, what they’re going through, their challenges, their insecurities, they need space and they need class sizes that are not in crowded, tiny little spaces. We need to address this problem.”

Nomination papers available in Wilbraham for town election WILBRAHAM — The Wilbraham Town Clerk’s Office is announcing that nomination papers are now available for placement of your name as a candidate on the Saturday, May 16, 2026 annual town election ballot. The last day to obtain nomination papers is

Wednesday, March 25. The positions being voted that day are: • One Select Board member for three years, • One assessor for three years, • Two Regional School Committee members for three years, • One cemetery commissioner for

three years, • One cemetery commissioner for two years • One water commissioner for three years, • Two library trustees for three years, • One Planning Board member

for five years, • One Wilbraham Housing Authority member for fvie years.

The deadline for submission to the Registrars for certification is Friday, March 27 at 5 p.m. Fifty signatures from registered Wilbraham voters are required to have a

name listed on the ballot as a candidate. We suggest calling our office to set up an appointment to pick up the papers. Contact the Town Clerk’s Office at 413-596-2800, ext. 200 if you have any questions.

Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Librarians call for assertive approach to funding in Massachusetts

By Sam Drysdale

State House News Service

BOSTON — Facing spending

cuts and political pressure, Massachusetts librarians are warning public officials that libraries are being treated as budget leverage

— and saying that has to change.

The warning came on Jan. 6 during a Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners strategic

planning session at the Boston Public Library’s Central Branch, where librarians urged a more assertive approach to funding, both on Beacon Hill and in city and town halls.

The meeting was the first in a series to inform the board’s next three-to-five-year strategic plan.

Unlike past cycles, the agency is drafting the plan internally after cuts eliminated funding typically used to hire an outside consultant. The previous plan expired last summer at the end of fiscal year 2025.

Participants described a pattern in communities pursuing Proposition 2½ property tax overrides: libraries being placed at the center of budget debates.

Worcester Public Library Executive Director Jason Homer said municipal officials view libraries as effective rallying points for voters — institutions whose popularity can help drive support for tax increases.

Homer argued this turns libraries into bargaining chips rather than essential municipal services and asked for help from the board in reframing debates so that libraries are considered non-negotiable

infrastructure.

“We’re on the chopping block consistently because we’re the only thing that motivates voters,” he said. “At some point we need to figure out how to reposition that power to say, if we’re the thing everyone can’t stop gushing about, then we have to figure out how to own that and not just be passive.”

That effort, attendees said, needs to happen locally as much as at the State House. While state aid remains critical, librarians said advocacy needs to start at the community level.

“Our Legislature is dysfunctional, and trying to do anything there is very difficult,” said Robert DeFabrizio, senior manager of law libraries at the Massachusetts Trial Court. “When it comes down to it, a lot of cities and towns have had overrides to keep their libraries open. That has nothing to do with the state Legislature. You see signs, ‘Keep the library open,’ on yards. It’s a local issue.”

DeFabrizio said that state funding is important, but to better get through to lawmakers on Beacon Hill libraries should help their See LIBRARIANS on page 11

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Ice Art Festival gears up for biggest celebration yet

By Trent Levakis tlevakis@thereminder.com NORTHAMPTON — Winter magic is returning to Northampton in the form of the 15th annual Ice Art Festival on Jan. 31, turning the city’s downtown into a walkable winter art gallery.

This year’s festival, once again put on by the Downtown Northampton Association, is set to be the biggest iteration yet, according to organizers, as 17 frozen art locations grace downtown. Sculptors will begin carving in the morning and finish their work before dusk, and their finished art will be viewed until nature melts them over the following days.

“It’s really amazing to be able to watch a carver work to completion starting from just a block of ice,” Northampton DNA Board President Amanda Shafii told Reminder Publishing. “Typically, stations get two blocks of ice each, delivered between 8-9 in the morning and then throughout the day, the carver works on their masterpiece, and it’s amazing what they can do. We’ve had dragons, we’ve had the Grinch, we’ve had so many different beautiful works of art, and it’s very fascinating to be able to watch it all happen in live time.”

With more sculptures, more artists and more places to explore, visitors are invited to wander, discover and experience ice art around every corner.

From iconic downtown spots to hidden gems, each location offers something unique, according to organizers. The festival encourages guests to explore local shops, restaurants and gathering spaces along the way.

“It happens to be a good time to try and bring an event downtown. Things get a little quieter after the holidays. Everyone loves it,” added Shafii.

The free, all-day festival is a beloved winter tradition in the community that highlights the energy of downtown Northampton while supporting local artists, shops, restaurants and gathering spaces. Shafii said a map of the ice art locations throughout downtown will be released the day of the event on the DNA’s website and socials.

There is also a competition element to the festival, as attendees will be asked to vote on their favorite piece by the day’s end. This year’s People’s Choice Award will be dedicated to the memory of local ice sculptor David Rothstein, who passed away unexpectedly in November.

“David was very active in the carving community and a carver with us for a bunch of years, and unfortunately, he just passed recently, so we want to honor him with dedicating the people’s choice award to him this year,” explained Shafii. “I hope that we get a busy day full of people coming downtown.

I hope we get a lot of votes as well because we like to make the competition even more competitive, and it’s even more fun the more people that join in.”

A2Z, beryl, Eastside Grill,

Works from sculptors during previous Ice Art Festivals help turn downtown Northampton into a walkable winter art gallery.

Photo credit: Downtown Northampton Association

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Familiars, Forbes Library, Hotel Northampton, Thornes Marketplace and more will feature frozen art.

For more information on this year’s Ice Art Festival, visit nohodna.org/ice-art-festival-2026/.

“I hope that everyone has a great day, gets to do a little shopping, and maybe warm up with a cup of coffee or get a nice dinner after,” added Shafii. “It’s really great to see the carvings come to life during the daytime, but at nighttime, they’re all lit

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up, so it’s like a completely different site and it’s really special to be able to see it all happen.”

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Springfield to pay $14.8 million in child sex abuse suit

By Sarah Heinonen

sheinonen@thereminder.com

SPRINGFIELD — The city of Springfield has reached a settlement with the families of two children in two civil suits stemming from 2023 criminal child sex abuse charges against Robert Gayle, a then-social studies teacher at STEM Middle Academy in Springfield.

While three victims have been identified in the criminal case against Gayle, Robert DiTusa, a partner at Alekman DiTusa, and Alexander Sneirson of Sneirson Law Firm represented two of them in the civil case. The criminal case against Gayle is ongoing.

The civil suits were filed in February 2025 against Gayle, the city, former Principal Luis Martinez and then-interim Principal

Rhonda Jacobs. The latter three defendants were accused of negligence in not keeping the students safe, despite reports of inappropriate behavior from students, families and teachers.

The city of Springfield has agreed to pay $1.8 million to the family of one of the children and $13 million to the other family.

The larger of the two settlements is the largest child sexual abuse settlement in the state’s history.

“These amounts reflect the harm done to the two children and their families, and they are also a testament to the strength of the survivors and their families, who had the bravery to speak out, seek justice and demand accountability,” said DiTusa.

Gayle was arrested in March 2023 when and charged with aggravated statutory rape of a child,

indecent assault and battery of a person 14 or older. He has since also been charged with aggravated indecent assault and battery of a person under the age of 14. The assaults allegedly took place between 2021 and 2023.

Springfield City Solicitor Steve Buoniconti acknowledged the settlement in an email. He stated, “The negotiated settlements took into account the facts of the cases, the alleged harm perpetrated on the victims and the liability the city would face at trial. Families across the city entrust the school system to provide a safe environment for their children to learn and grow, and that obligation remains a central focus.”

DiTusa declared, “Every child has a right to be safe at school.

The city of Springfield categorically failed in its responsibility to

Laura Mangini of Alekman DiTusa and Alexander Sneirson of Sneirson Law Firm flank Alekman DiTusa partner Robert DiTusa as he discusses the settlement of a child sex abuse civil suit.

Reminder Publishing photo by Sarah Heinonen

keep these children safe.” He said, “Child sexual abuse is an epidemic in our country. It is a serious public health crisis. Whether we’re

talking about the Boy Scouts, the Catholic church, our schools or See SETTLEMENT on page 11

City Council elects Whitfield as first Black woman president

By Sarah Heinonen

sheinonen@thereminder.com

SPRINGFIELD — The City of Firsts again earned its moniker on Jan. 5 when the City Council elected Tracye Whitfield to serve as its president, the first Black woman to do so. The crowd that turned out to see Whitfield sworn in filled the City Council chamber to capacity and spilled out into the hallway and the adjoining room.

“This is a momentous occasion our forefathers could only dream about,” said Springfield Public Schools Superintendent Sonia Dinnall. “Tracye Whitfield is a shining example of what can happen when you believe in yourself and lead with integrity, and never back down from your goals.”

Whitfield invited Police Superintendent Lawrence Akers to speak. He said, “I look forward to working with you” to ensure Springfield residents receive “the best they can from the city.” Akers said he had heard that Whitfield was overly critical of the police, but upon getting to know

her, found that was “not totally true.” He said she believes in accountability and “holding people accountable doesn’t always mean opposition.” He went on to say, “I truly feel that police and politics should stay separate for obvious reasons, but on this joyous event, I put that aside. This is something that just doesn’t happen every day.”

For Whitfield, the swearing-in was a family affair. Her mother, Jane Maye, held the Bible Whitfield placed her right hand on during the oath of office. Maye said her daughter has had “restless days and sleepless nights trying to make Springfield a better place.” Whitfield’s daughter, Taquoya Whitfield, said her mother “didn’t take a seat at the table. She earned it.” Jelani Bland, Whitfield’s son, referred to the crowd and said, “She loves Springfield as much as y’all love her.” The father of Whitfield’s children, Jason Bland, read a poem he had written for the occasion. In it, he said, “When God took the pen to write the story of Tracye Lynn Whitfield, clearly, excellence was the moral

From left: Tracye Whitfield smiles from the podium as she is nominated by her peers to serve as City Council president. City Councilors Gerry Martin and Justin Hurst are sworn in.

Reminder Publishing photos by Sarah Heinonen

of the story.”

The ceremony was closed out with a poem written and read by Whitfield’s friend Lynnette Johnson, titled “More Than That” because, she said, Whitfield is more than just the first Black woman president of the council.

When Whitfield spoke, she said she had reconciled old misunderstandings and was starting 2026 with a clean slate. She thanked outgoing Council Pres-

ident Michael Fenton for his thoroughness and his willingness to help fellow councilors. She said she was committed to “being present” because “leadership means showing up.” Whitfield announced that she would be launching a training course for new and aspiring city councilors.

Her goals included streamlining residential development, limiting property tax increases, fiscal accountability and expanding eco-

nomic growth. With each goal, she named a councilor to help spearhead it. When she said she would lead, “not with a vision, but with collaboration, she received a standing ovation.

Councilor Jose Delgado was elected as the council’s vice president. Meanwhile, two new councilors, Gerry Martin and Justin Hurst, joined the governing body. Hurst previously served on the council from 2013 to 2023.

Forest Park Zoo seeks donations to care for animals

By Sarah Heinonen

sheinonen@thereminder.com

SPRINGFIELD — Exotic birds,

camels, bison and alligators. The Zoo in Forest Park & Education Center offers people in the greater Springfield area a chance to

HEAR BETTER FOR THE NEW YEAR!

visit and learn about animals they may not otherwise ever encounter. But caring for those animals is a costly endeavor, particularly in the cold months of winter.

“We get asked a lot by people out in the public, ‘what can they do?’” said Executive Director Sarah Tsitso.

While the zoo is closed to the public from early November to late March, Tsitso said, “Animals still need things 365 days a year.”

The zoo leaves its Amazon wish list active all year, so people can donate at any time. Some items are for animal enrichment, like

bird toys and large herding balls.

Other items may strike people as being more mundane. She said the zoo needs everyday items like nails and screws, extension cords, sponges and office supplies.

Winter-specific items are also needed, including heaters, heated water bowls and humidifiers.

“These items take a beating,” said Tsitso. She said, “Think about the hay. We’re ordering about $1,500 worth of hay every three weeks,” for animals that use it as feed or bedding.

However, Tsitso said with a laugh, “We don’t need more blan-

SOLUTIONS TO THIS WEEK’S PUZZLE “FAMILY EXPANSION”

kets. Please.” She explained that the zoo received an influx of blankets a few years ago and simply has nowhere to store more. “We appreciate them, but only a few animals can actually use them.

Some will eat them,” she said.

“We’re not a traditional zoo.

A lot of animals come to us with health considerations, come to us elderly,” Tsitso said. “These are animals that need a home, that would not survive on their own.”

As such, they have “very specialized medical needs,” she said.

The most expensive item on the wish list is a portable radiograph machine, which can cost several thousand dollars.

“We’re raising money all year round,” Tsitso said. The zoo’s operating budget is funded from three sources: admissions fees, educational programs, and grants and fundraising. She said, “We really are looking to the community who know and love these animals.”

The zoo’s Amazon wish list can be found at forestparkzoo. org/wish-list.

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Settlement Continued from page 10

even a summer camp, it remains a consistent issue in our communities and in our institutions. It’s one that’s often shrouded in silence, in secrecy, in disbelief.”

Laura Mangini, of Alekman DiTusa said, in this case, there were “clear warning signs” and

Librarians Continued from page 8

constituents understand the scope of modern library services — and how close some libraries come to service reductions or closure during fiscal downturns.

“It’s like, listen folks, I know you hold all the purse strings, but if the taxpayers, they start an uprising, at least now they’re hearing it not just from us,” DeFabrizio said.

Participants emphasized the importance of communicating libraries’ return on investment, pointing to growing demand for digital resources, expanded social services, broadband access and workforce development support.

At the state level, attendees expressed appreciation for MBLC’s advocacy work and its success in maintaining level funding in a difficult budget year. Still, Boston Public Library President David Leonard called for a longer-term, more coordinated advocacy strategy on Beacon Hill.

“Honestly, if you look across the country, the strongest fiscal library areas usually have some level of their own taxing authority, like a levy or another approach. That’s more of a 15-year goal, given the speed at which

| 11 |

EAST LONGMEADOW | JANUARY 15 - 21, 2026

that the school system “ignored complaints from the students, they ignored complaints from teachers and staff and they ignored complaints from the parents, themselves.” She said Gayle had been reported by another teacher two years prior to his arrest for giving a student rides home. A different teacher reported him for allowing students to “hang out with him in his classroom.” Meanwhile,

Mangini said, “multiple female students” told school councilors that Gayle was “creepy,” and that they were uncomfortable and needed help. She said they and their parents’ complaints were disbelieved.

Mangini said the hope was that there would be “real reform” beyond new policies, training sessions with enforcement and “real strategies that put our children

first.” In his email, Buoniconti said, “The School Department has invested significantly in programming and training so that all staff members are more educated on the signs of improper relationships between staff and students and report those concerns to the proper authorities right away, all in the effort of preventing future harm to students.”

DiTusa shared statistics about

child sexual abuse, which occurs every nine minutes in the United States. He said 1-in-5 girls and 1-in-20 boys are sexually assaulted and 90% of them know their perpetrator. Victims are four times more likely to experience post-traumatic stress disorder, four times more likely to abuse drugs and three times more likely to experience depression in adulthood.

Massachusetts moves reform, but if you don’t start, you never get there,” he said.

Funding pressures are also reshaping the library workforce, another major theme of the meeting.

Chronic understaffing, retirements and post-pandemic workplace changes have left many libraries operating in what participants described as a near-permanent state of crisis. That strain, they said, is colliding with an outdated training and credentialing system.

Librarians questioned whether current degree requirements and library school curricula align with the realities of the job, particularly in smaller communities where “accidental directors” are often promoted out of necessity rather than preparation. They said these managers lack training in budgeting, labor law and conflict resolution.

“The world, the industry, the sector continues to change, and I know these programs, certifications and expectations — certainly that’s true of the library schools, and I’ve told that to them, so I’m not saying anything I haven’t said — is behind rather than ahead. I think in Massachusetts we should be ahead. We should be leading,” Leonard said.

At the same time, attendees

such as Percivial Salazar, a student and librarian assistant in The Public Library of Brookline, said the line between librarians and library assistant staff is narrowing, as staff take on more responsibility without corresponding increases in pay.

Continuing education, Homer added, is not required despite rapid changes in technology, digital infrastructure and public expectations.

Oak Bluffs Public Library Director Allyson Malik said that in Maryland, where she got her degree, continuing education is required every year.

Several participants suggested MBLC could help lead a broader conversation about the future

of librarianship in Massachusetts — potentially in partnership with library schools and other agencies — to rethink credentials, career pathways and continuing education expectations.

Ideas ranged from more structured professional development to creative workforce support. One proposal from Malik that generated interest was a librarian exchange program that would allow staff to work temporarily in different library environments. She said such exchanges could broad-

en perspective, reduce burnout and foster understanding across systems ranging from small rural branches to major urban libraries.

As MBLC drafts its plan, strategists are focused on how best to turn ideas on funding, advocacy and workforce reform into action across the state.

Sam Drysdale is a reporter for State House News Service and State Affairs Pro. Reach her at sdrysdale@statehousenews.com.

Maria Meccia 1940-2025

It’s hard to believe a year has gone by. You brought such joy, laughter, and love into our lives. We love you, we think about you every day, and we miss you dearly.

You will forever be in our hearts!

Love, Your Family

Donations may still be made in honor of Maria Meccia to the East Longmeadow Scholarship Foundation, PO Box 66, East Longmeadow, MA 01028

Celebrate Life

With a Lasting Gift of Light

PRAYER TO THE HOLY SPIRIT Holy Spirit, You who made me see everything and showed me the way to reach my ideal. You, who gave me the divine gift to forgive and forget the wrong that is done to me; and You who are in all instances of my life with me; I, in this short dialogue want to thank You for everything and confirm once more that I never want to be separated from You no matter how great the material desires may be. I want to be with You and my loved ones in your perpetual glory.

Amen. Thank you for Your love towards me and my loved ones. Persons must pray the prayer three consecutive days without asking your wish. After the third day wish will be granted, no matter how difficult it may be. Then promise to publish this dialogue as soon as this favor is granted.

I will never stop trusting in God and His power.

J.M.V.

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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 Audrey P. Chausse Teresa M. Daigneault (Galarneau) Robert M. Joyal Richard Allen Mastronardi Jean Claude Peloquin Helene C. Sears Joan A. Skypeck Kathleen T. Stanek EAST LONGMEADOW Douglas P. Howie Rita M. Hurley Patricia Lewis HOLYOKE Gerard N. Aubrey Jacqueline A. Fitzgerald

Elizabeth A. “Betty” Kane Maria V. Maldonado LONGMEADOW Joseph C. Suse LUDLOW Anna T. Celona Rev. J. Donald R. Lapointe Alice P. Mannix Claire T. Natario (Paulhus) SOUTH HADLEY Marie J. Cassidy James G. Lowe Richard J. Ross Guido C. Schiappa Roger W. Strange SPRINGFIELD Agnese Basile

Martha Black William Elian Susan Ehrlich Gaynor Berniece M. LaMotte Mary F. Magiera Donald Anthony Manoni Micheline P. Meunier Antonio S. Monteiro Jr. Dorothy Pulowski Jacqueline E. Stanek Candice Lynn Stolpinski Richard Wright Jr. WILBRAHAM Anthony G. Laino Stephen Mucha Gisele G. Pin

SOLUTIONS TO THIS WEEK’S PUZZLE CAN BE FOUND IN THIS EDITION. ALL PUZZLES & SOLUTIONS CAN BE FOUND ONLINE AT WWW.THEREMINDER.COM/PUZZLE-CORNER/

JANUARY 15 - 21, 2026 | EAST LONGMEADOW

| 12 |

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The Lancers’ Joe Martinez attacks the basket as Noah Enriquez-Davis from East Longmeadow defends.

Noah Enriquez-Davis led all scorers with 20 points.

Longmeadow’s Sam Tyson (1) snatches the rebound between Finn Hoffman (L) and East Longmeadow’s Nolan Garstka.

LONGMEADOW VS EAST LONGMEADOW

BASKETBALL On Jan. 2, Longmeadow defeated East Longmeadow 56-40 in a boys basketball game played at Longmeadow High School.

REMINDER SPORTS PHOTOS TAKEN BY GEORGE SKOVERA CALL 733-1747 OR EMAIL GSKOVERA@COMCAST.NET

Longmeadow’s Brody Harrington (10) jostles for rebound position with Gavin Goncalves of the Spartans.

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| 13 |

EAST LONGMEADOW | JANUARY 15 - 21, 2026

East Longmeadow’s Nolan Garstka vies for the rebound versus Sam Tyson.

Jayden Anoje launches from 3-point land.

Jack Serafini, Shane Gray and Gavin Goncalves (L-R) stand together during the playing of the national anthem.

Sam Newton looks to pass the ball to the low post.

JANUARY 15 - 21, 2026 | EAST LONGMEADOW

| 14 |

THEREMINDER.COM | WE ARE HOMETOWN NEWS

CALL 413-525-3947 TO PLACE YOUR CLASSIFIED AD TODAY!

classifieds community INVITATION FOR BID (IFB) ELEVATOR MAINTENANCE AND INSPECTION

CITATION GIVING NOTICE OF CONSERVATOR’S ACCOUNT Docket No. HD21P0716PM Commonwealth of Massachusetts The Trial Court Probate and Family Court Hampden Probate and Family Court 50 State Street Springfield, MA 01103

The Town of Longmeadow is accepting bids for bi-monthly inspection and elevator maintenance. The contract will be for one year with renewal option at the sole discretion of the Town for up to two (2) additional years of service. Bid documents may be obtained from the Longmeadow Purchasing Department: Town of Longmeadow, Attn: Chad Thompson - Director of Procurement, 231 Maple Road, Longmeado w , M A 0 1 1 0 6 ( P: 4 1 3 - 5 6 5 - 4 1 8 5 , cthompson@longmeadowma.gov). Bid documents may also be obtained at no charge from the Purchasing department page of www.long meadowma.gov. Bidders are encouraged to register with the Longmeadow Purchasing Dept to get on the bid list, others will be responsible for monitoring the website for addenda. All bids are subject to the provisions of M.G.L. Chapter 149. Wages are subject to minimum wage rates determined by the Massachusetts Dept. of Labor and Industries pursuant to M.G.L. Chapter 149, Section 26 and 27H, and annual update. All bids must be submitted in a sealed envelope labeled "IFB: Elevator Maintenance" and will be accepted at the Longmeadow Purchasing Department until the bid deadline of 11:00 am on Thursday, January 29, 2026. Late bids will be rejected. All bidders shall furnish with their bid a bid guaranty in the form of a bid bond, certified check, treasurer’s check, or cashier’s check issued by a responsible bank or trust company, in the amount of 5% of the total amount of the bid for the first year made payable to the Town of Longmeadow, Massachusetts. No bid may be withdrawn within sixty (60) days after the date of the opening of bids. Following the bid deadline, bids received will be publicly opened. A 50% payment bond is required with contract award. The Town of Longmeadow, acting through the Town Manager, the Awarding Authority, reserves the right to reject any or all bids, waive minor informalities, and to award the contract in the best interest of the Town.

(January 15)

In the matter of: Gail Santaniello Of: Longmeadow, MA Protected Person/Disabled Person/Respondent To the named Respondent and all other interested persons, you are hereby notified pursuant to Rule 72 of the Supplemental Rules of the Probate & Family Court, that the fourth and final account(s) of Kelly Ambrogio of West Springfield, MA as Conservator of the property of said Respondent has or have been presented to the Court for allowance.

You have the right to object to the account(s). If you wish to do so, you or your attorney must file a written appearance and objection at this court on or before 10:00 A.M. on the return date of 02/10/2026. This day is NOT a hearing date, but a deadline date by which you have to object to the account(s). If you fail to file the written appearance and objection by the return date, action may be taken in this matter without further notice to you, including the allowance of the account(s).

Additionally, within thirty days after said return day (or within such other time as the Court upon motion may order), you must file a written affidavit of objections stating the specific facts and grounds upon which each objection is based, and a copy shall be served upon the Conservator pursuant to Rule 3 of the Supplemental Rules of the Probate & Family Court.

You have the right to send to the Conservator, by registered or certified mail, a written request to receive a copy of the Petition and account(s) at no cost to you.

IMPORTANT NOTICE The outcome of this proceeding may limit or completely take away the above-named person’s right to make decisions about personal affairs or financial affairs or both. The above-named person has the right to ask for a lawyer. Anyone may make this request on behalf of the above-named person. If the above-named person cannot afford a lawyer, one may be appointed at State expense.

WITNESS, Hon. Barbara M Hyland, First Justice of this Court.

Date: December 31, 2025 Rosemary A. Saccomani, Register of Probate (January 15)

CLASSIFIED DEADLINE IS THURSDAY AT NOON.

LEGAL NOTICES CITATION ON PETITION FOR ORDER OF COMPLETE SETTLEMENT Docket No. HD25P1216EA Commonwealth of Massachusetts The Trial Court Probate and Family Court Hampden Probate and Family Court 50 State Street Springfield, MA 01103 (413)748-7758 Estate of: Armen Tashjian Date of Death: 10/22/2023 A Petition for Order of Complete Settlement has been filed by John J Ferriter of Holyoke MA requesting that the court enter a formal Decree of Complete Settlement including the allowance of a final account and other such relief as may be requested in the Petition.

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

You have a right to object to this proceeding. To do so, you or your attorney must file a written appearance and objection at this Court before 10:00 a.m. on the return day of 02/13/2026.

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

WITNESS, Hon. Barbara M Hyland, First Justice of this Court Date: January 09, 2026 Rosemary A. Saccomani Register of Probate (January 15)

INFORMAL PROBATE PUBLICATION NOTICE Docket No. HD25P2579EA Commonwealth of Massachusetts The Trial Court Probate and Family Court Hampden Division Estate of: Jon Peter Stavros Also Known As: Jon Stavros Date of Death: October 19, 2025 To all persons interested in the above captioned estate, by Petition of Petitioner Carol Kantany Casartello of Longmeadow MA a Will has been admitted to informal probate.

Carol Kantany Casartello of Longmeadow MA has been informally appointed as the Personal Representative of the estate to serve without surety on the bond.

The estate is being administered under informal procedure by the Personal Representative under the Massachusetts Uniform Probate Code without supervision by the Court. Inventory and accounts are not required to be filed with the Court, but interested parties are entitled to notice regarding the administration from the Personal Representative and can petition the Court in any matter relating to the estate, including distribution of assets and expenses of administration. Interested parties are entitled to petition the Court to institute formal proceedings and to obtain orders terminating or restricting the powers of Personal Representatives appointed under informal procedure.

A copy of the Petition and Will, if any, can be obtained from the Petitioner.

(January 15)

INVITATION FOR BID (IFB) ELEVATOR MAINTENANCE AND INSPECTION

CITATION GIVING NOTICE OF CONSERVATOR’S ACCOUNT Docket No. HD21P0716PM Commonwealth of Massachusetts The Trial Court Probate and Family Court Hampden Probate and Family Court 50 State Street Springfield, MA 01103

The Town of Longmeadow is accepting bids for bi-monthly inspection and elevator maintenance. The contract will be for one year with renewal option at the sole discretion of the Town for up to two (2) additional years of service. Bid documents may be obtained from the Longmeadow Purchasing Department: Town of Longmeadow, Attn: Chad Thompson - Director of Procurement, 231 Maple Road, LongmeadIn the matter of: Gail Santaniello ow, MA 01106 (P: 413-565-4185, Of: Longmeadow, MA cthompson@longmeadowma.gov). Bid docuProtected Person/Disabled Person/Respondments may also be obtained at no charge from ent the Purchasing department page of www.long To the named Respondent and all other intermeadowma.gov. Bidders are encouraged to reested persons, you are hereby notified pursugister with the Longmeadow Purchasing Dept ant to Rule 72 of the Supplemental Rules of to get on the bid list, others will be responsible the Probate & Family Court, that the fourth for monitoring the website for addenda. All bids and final account(s) of are subject to the provisions of M.G.L. Chapter Kelly Ambrogio of West Springfield, MA 149. Wages are subject to minimum wage as Conservator of the property of said Rerates determined by the Massachusetts Dept. spondent has or have been presented to the of Labor and Industries pursuant to M.G.L. Court for allowance.

Chapter 149, Section 26 and 27H, and annual You have the right to object to the update. All bids must be submitted in a sealed account(s). If you wish to do so, you or your envelope labeled "IFB: Elevator Maintenance" attorney must file a written appearance and oband will be accepted at the Longmeadow Purjection at this court on or before 10:00 A.M. on chasing Department until the bid deadline of the return date of 02/10/2026. This day is NOT 11:00 am on Thursday, January 29, 2026. Late a hearing date, but a deadline date by which bids will be rejected. All bidders shall furnish you have to object to the account(s). If you fail with their bid a bid guaranty in the form of a bid to file the written appearance and objection by bond, certified check, treasurer’s check, or the return date, action may be taken in this cashier’s check issued by a responsible bank matter without further notice to you, including or trust company, in the amount of 5% of the the allowance of the account(s). total amount of the bid for the first year made Additionally, within thirty days after said return payable to the Town of Longmeadow, MasHATFIELD day (or within such other time as the Court sachusetts. No bid may be withdrawn within upon motion may order), you must file a writsixty (60) days after the date of the opening of AMHERST HADLEY ten affidavit of objections stating the specific bids. Following the bid deadline, bids received facts and grounds upon which each objection NORTHAMPTON will be publicly opened. A 50% payment bond rmiller-longtin@thereminder.com is based, and a copy shall be served upon the is required with contract award. The Town of FOR: AGAWAM REMINDER, Conservator pursuant to Rule 3 of the SuppleLongmeadow, acting throughCHESTER the Town ManGRANBY mental Rules of the Probate & Family Court. ager, the Awarding Authority, reserves the right SOUTH THE PENNYSAVER, AND WESTFIELD NEWS HADLEY You have the right to send to the Conservator, to reject any or all bids, waive minor informalitSOUTHAMPTON MO inby registered or certified mail, a written reies, and to award the contract in the best NT GO HOLYOKE ME quest to receive a copy of the Petition and acterest of the Town.

RY LUDLOW BLANDFORD OTIS CHICOPEE count(s) at no cost to you.

(January 15) sspada@thereminder.com IMPORTANT NOTICE RUSSELL EAST LONGMEADOW, ENFIELD/SOMERS, WESTFIELD The outcome of this proceeding may limit WILBRAHAM WEST SPRINGFIELD SPRINGFIELD or AND completely take away theREMINDERS above-named SPRINGFIELD person’s right to make decisions about perTOLLAND GRANVILLE EAST HAMPDEN sonal affairs or financial affairs or both. The AGAWAM LONGMEADOW SOUTHWICK above-named person has the right to ask LONGMEADOW MASSACHUSETTS for a lawyer. Anyone may make this reemarcyoniak@thereminder.com quest on behalf of the above-named perCONNECTICUT SOMERS FOR: REMINDER son.

If theHAMPSHIRE above-named person cannot af-AND ENFIELD ford a lawyer, one may be appointed at CHICOPEE-HOLYOKE HERALD State expense.

WITNESS, Hon. Barbara M Hyland, First Justice of this Court.

Date: December 31, 2025 Rosemary A. Saccomani, Register of Probate (January 15)

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CITATION ON PETITION FOR FORMAL ADJUDICATION Docket No. HD26P0006EA Commonwealth of Massachusetts The Trial Court Probate and Family Court Hampden Probate and Family Court 50 State Street Springfield, MA 01103 (413)748-7758 Estate of: Priscilla Dorothy Plato Date of Death: 11/19/2025 To all interested persons: A Petition for Formal Probate of Will with Appointment of Personal Representative has been filed by Christopher Maxwell Solie of East Longmeadow MA requesting that the Court enter a formal Decree and Order and for such other relief as requested in the Petition.

The Petitioner requests that: Christopher Maxwell Solie of East Longmeadow MA and Harold Sprague Solie of Sharon MA be appointed as Personal Representative(s) of said estate to serve Without Surety on the bond in unsupervised administration IMPORTANT NOTICE You have the right to obtain a copy of the Petition from the Petitioner or at the Court.

You have a right to object to this proceeding. To do so, you or your attorney must file a written appearance and objection at this Court before 10:00 a.m. on the return day of 02/02/2026.

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

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

WITNESS, Hon. Barbara M. Hyland, First Justice of this Court.

Date: January 05, 2026 Rosemary A. Saccomani, Register of Probate (January 15)

CITATION ON PETITION FOR ORDER OF COMPLETE SETTLEMENT Docket No. HD23P1892EA Commonwealth of Massachusetts The Trial Court Probate and Family Court Hampden Probate and Family Court 50 State Street Springfield, MA 01103 (413)748-7758 Estate of: Robert P. Lout Also known as: Robert Paul Lout Date of Death: 08/02/2023 A Petition for Order of Complete Settlement has been filed by Katie M. McDonough of Longmeadow MA requesting that the court enter a formal Decree of Complete Settlement including the allowance of a final account, a determination of heirs at law and other such relief as may be requested in the Petition.

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

You have a right to object to this proceeding. To do so, you or your attorney must file a written appearance and objection at this Court before 10:00 a.m. on the return day of 02/10/2026.

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

WITNESS, Hon. Barbara M Hyland, First Justice of this Court Date: January 05, 2026 Rosemary A. Saccomani, Register of Probate (January 15)

EAST LONGMEADOW ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS PUBLIC HEARING LEGAL NOTICE The East Longmeadow Zoning Board of Appeals will hold a Public Hearing on Monday, January 26, 2026 at 6:30 PM in the Pleasant View Senior Center, 328 North Main Street, East Longmeadow, MA 01028.

Case ZV-2025-05: A Petition for Variance under East Longmeadow Zoning Bylaws Table 32 and Ch. 450 Sec. 5.7 in which the applicant is requesting relief from the Minimum front yard setbacks and 100 foot buffer requirement from residential districts for car service activities at 546 North Main Street in East Longmeadow (Assessor’s Parcel ID 2B-76-1) in the Business zoning district. Applicant: Zaremba Group, LLC c/o John Wojtila, 14600 Detroit Avenue, Suite 1500, Lakewood, OH 44107.

Information relating to applications filed with the Department of Planning & Community Development is available for public inspection at the Town Hall, 60 Center Square. To view an electronic version of case files please visit: ht tps://www.eastlongmeadowma.gov/955/ActiveCase-Files For the Board, James Channing, Clerk (January 8, January 15)

AUTO SERVICES CASH FOR JUNK AND REPAIRABLE CARS Free Towing! Friendly, Fast, Same Day Service!

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CITATION ON PETITION Donate Your Car to Veterans Today! Help FOR ORDER OF and Support our Veterans. Fast - FREE pick COMPLETE SETTLEMENT up. 100% tax deductible. Call 1-800-245-0398 Docket No. HD23P1892EA Commonwealth of Massachusetts The Trial Court Probate and Family Court FOR SALE: 35,000 square foot office/light industrial building on 4.5 acres of land in ConHampden Probate and Family Court cord, Massachusetts. Situated at the end of a 50 State Street cul-de-sac, this property is 15 minutes from Springfield, MA 01103 Rte. 128 and 20 minutes from Rte. 495. Not only is there town water and sewer but the (413)748-7758 town of Concord has its own electric company.

Estate of: In addition, Concord has underground ConRobert P. Lout cord fibre optic internet. 7 minutes from historic Concord center, enjoy Walden pond, Louisa Also known as: Robert Paul Lout May Alcott's house and many other historic Date of Death: 08/02/2023 sites as we celebrate the 250th anniversary of the United States of America. Use the entire A Petition for Order of Complete Settlement building or keep some of the tenants already has been filed by occupying the building. Mowing, plowing, and Katie M. McDonough of Longmeadow MA other maintenance already in place could remain. Call with any questions: 978.580.1895 requesting that the court enter a formal Decree of Complete Settlement including the allowance of a final account, a determination of heirs at law and other such relief as may be requested in the Petition.

PRIME PAINTING Ceiling repairs, texturing, plastering, texture reIMPORTANT NOTICE moval and skim coating. Fully insured, free esYou have the right to obtain a copy of the timates. 594-4479 Petition from the Petitioner or at the Court.

You have a right to object to this proceeding. To do so, you or your attorney must file a written appearance and objection at this Court before 10:00 a.m. on the return day of 02/10/2026.

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

WITNESS, Hon. Barbara M Hyland, First Justice of this Court Date: January 05, 2026 *NPB# Blades. Not to be combined with Rosemary A. Saccomani, Register of Probate any other offer. Good through 2/5/26.

(January 15)

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HELP WANTED MASTER'S LEVEL CLINICIAN. Provides inhome intensive family therapy for culturally diverse populations. Loc: Springfield, MA. Extensive travel Greater Springfield. Some evenings/wknds. Salary: $63K-$68K/yr. Apply: Jewish Family Service of Western Massachusetts, Inc., 15 Lenox St, Springfield, MA 01108; or j.greene@jfswm.org.

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Quality since 1964. (413) 596-4841 GET DISH SATELLITE TV + INTERNET! Free install, Free HD-DVR Upgrade. 80,000 On-Demand Movies, Plus Limited Time Up To $600 In Gift Cards. Call Today! 1-866-299-7135 Joseph’s Handyman Company. Carpentry, remodeling, interior/exterior painting, floors, tile, stairs, drywall, cabinets, plumbing. Professional artist. Small jobs ok. Home improvement. Projects designed for your needs. Since 1985. Call Joe, 413-364-7038

TMR MASON CONTRACTOR All types of masonry and concrete: brick, block, stone stucco. Chimney repairs, foundation repairs, bulkheads, concrete sidewalks, stairs and patios, Fully licensed/ insured.

Todd: 413-575-3839

MISCELLANEOUS Lean how to reduce your Credit Card to fraction of what you owe. Call the Debt Help Line now for free advice. Call (800)245-1567 DONATE YOUR CAR, TRUCK, BOAT, RV and more to support our veterans! Schedule a FAST, FREE vehicle pickup and receive a top tax deduction! Call Veteran Car Donations at 1888-305-7286 today!

ELIMINATE GUTTER CLEANING FOREVER! LeafFilter, the most advanced debris-blocking gutter protection. Schedule a FREE LeafFilter estimate today. 20% off Entire Purchase. Plus 10% Senior & Military Discounts. Call 1-855925-2643 SAVE ON YOUR TRAVEL PLANS! Up to 75% More than 500 AIRLINES and 300,000 HOTELS across the world. Let us do the research for you for FREE! Call: 800-311-2199 REPLACE YOUR ROOF with the best looking and longest lasting material. Steel from Erie Metal Roofs! Three styles and multiple colors available. Guaranteed to las a lifetime! Limited time offer up to 50% off installation and Additional 10% off install (for military, health workers & 1st responders.) Call Erie Metal Roofs 1844-463-4077 Attention timeshare owners. We're offering you a way to legally get rid of your timeshare. Call right now to qualify and receive a free consultation. You can terminate your timeshare legally and permanently. Call The timeshare exit hotline now – (800)298-5026 AGING ROOF? NEW HOMEOWNER? STORM DAMAGE? You need a local expert provider that proudly stands behind their work.

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(Additional terms apply. Subject to change and vary by dealer.) Offer ends 12/28/25. 1-844501-3208 MobileHelp, America's premier mobile medical alert system. Whether you're home or away.

For safety & peace of mind. No long term contracts! Free brochure! 1-888-489-3936 No more cleaning gutters. Guaranteed! LeafFilter backed by no-clog guarantee & lifetime warranty. Call 1-833-610-1936 to schedule FREE inspection/estimate. Get 15% off your entire order. Military & Seniors get additional 10% off. Limited time. Restrictions apply, see rep for details.

Peace of mind & early detection - Now more than ever, it’s important to get screened for Stroke & Cardiovascular Disease risk. Life Line Screening is simple & painless. 833-970-4172 Pest control: Protect your home from pests safely. Roaches, Bed Bugs, Rodent, Termite, Spiders & more. Locally owned & affordable.

For service or inspection today! 833-860-0657 Have zip code ready!

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EAST LONGMEADOW | JANUARY 15 - 21, 2026 Professional lawn service: Fertilization, weed control, seeding, aeration & mosquito control.

Free quote. Ask about first application special!

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Gibson, Fender, Martin, Grecsch, Rickenbacker, Epiphone, Etc. 1930's to 1980's. Call 866433-8277 Water damage cleanup & restoration: A small amount of water can lead to major damage in your home. Our trusted professionals do complete repairs to protect your family and your home's value! Call 24/7: 1-833-887-0117.

Have zip code of service ready when you call!

We buy houses for cash as is! No repairs. No fuss. Any condition. Easy three step process: Call, get cash offer & get paid. Get your fair cash offer today by calling Liz Buys Houses: 1844-877-5833 Wesley Financial Group, LLC Timeshare Cancellation Experts Over $50,000,000 in timeshare debt & fees cancelled in 2019. Get free info package & learn how to get rid of your timeshare! Free consultations. Over 450 positive reviews. 833-308-1971

PAINTING & WALLPAPERING AARDVARK PAINTING & HOME IMPROVEMENTS INC. Quality residential & commercial carpentry, & painting since 1964.

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Interior and exterior painting, wallpaper, removal. Free estimates. Insured. Reliable.

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Low, low prices. Free estimates. Steve 413310-5099; 860-741-5588

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE Sacrifice sale - $315,000. Beautiful and fully furnished home located in rural South Carolina.

Home has 7 rooms: 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, large den with working fireplace, and kitchen.

All new appliances, with 3 TV sets, washer, dryer, solar panels, new plumbing, and new wiring. Home and property are in immaculate condition and sit on 1 and 3/4 acres of land with an additional building currently used as a workshop, storage area, and an animal shelter.

Must sell as soon as possible. Home is located at 2312 Locust Avenue, Denmark, South Carolina. Please call Captain Robert R. Singleton, Merchant Marine Officer, at (413) 289-6591.

TAX PREPARATION DO YOU OWE $10,000 OR MORE IN BACK TAXES?! We can help get your back taxes REDUCED. We can solve, tax liens, wage garnishments and more. FREE Call:800-989-1694

VACATION RENTAL WESLEY FINANCIAL GROUP, LLC Timeshare Cancellation Experts. Over $50,000,000 in timeshare debt and fees cancelled in 2019. Get free informational package and learn how to get rid of your timeshare!

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WANTED All fishing equipment! Cash paid. Will travel to you! Call Mike the Fishing Guy 413313-5013 Always buying antiques watches jewelry gold coins art military signs posters cameras toys video games action figures Star Wars vintage electronics amplifiers receivers' radios HAM equipment speakers' musical instruments guitars saxophones horns amplifiers sports memorabilia clocks plus more one item or entire estates. 413-206-8688

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CARRIERS WANTED

EAST LONGMEADOW - HOOK DELIVERY THURSDAY

144 Papers: St. Joseph Dr., Wisteria Ln., Tracey Ln., Pembroke Terr., Abbey Ln., Rockingham Cir., Dartmouth Ln., Partial - Prospect St., Chestnut St., Somers Rd. 129 Papers: Gerrard Ave., Holy Cross Cir., Kingston Ave., Lombard Ave., Mereline Ave., Nelson St., Roderick Ave., Partial- N. Main St. 45 Papers: Partial-Allen Street 166 Papers: Braeburn Rd., Channing Rd., Tufts St., Van Dyke Rd., Wood Ave., Boulder St., Villanova St., Admiral St., Thompson St., Partial-Dwight Rd. (odd side only)

LONGMEADOW - HOOK DELIVERY THURSDAY

Experience the local news coverage you love in a new way.

83 Papers: Williamsburg Dr., Eunice Dr., Tabor Crossing, Morgan Ridge, Burns Meadow, Churchill Dr., Partial - Converse St. 84 Papers: Chandler Ave., Partial - Longmeadow St. 109 Papers: Birnie Rd., Brookside Dr., Crescent Rd., Longview Dr., Fairhill Dr., Partial - Longmeadow St. 54 Papers: Bliss Rd. 87 Papers: Andover Rd., Ashford Rd., Cranwell Ln., Deerfield Ave., Willow Cir., Williston Dr., Willow Brook Rd., Partial - Frank Smith Rd. 157 Papers: Albemarle Rd., Arcadia St., Barclay St., Chiswick St., Fairway Dr., Franklin Rd., Lincoln Pk. & Rd., Whitmun Rd., Woodmont Rd., Hillside Ter. 96 Papers: Brookwood Dr., Kenmore Dr., Knollwood Dr., Partial - Shaker Rd. 99 Papers: Barbara Ln., Quinnehtuk Rd., Village Dr., Pioneer Dr., Partial - Maple Rd., Frank Smith Rd., Wolf Swamp Rd. 100 Papers: Norway St., Nevins Ave., Partial - Maple Rd.

WILBRAHAM - HOOK DELIVERY THURSDAY

35 Papers: Arbor Ln., Greenwood Rd., Oak Ridge Dr., Old Orchard Rd., Russell Rd. 61 Papers: Gary Dr., Pidgeon Dr., Raymond Dr., Ruth Dr., Sawmill Dr. 228 Papers: Echo Hill Rd., Highmoor Dr., Meeting House Ln., Rice Dr., Ridge Rd., Highridge Rd., Hitching Post Ln., Peak Rd., Webster Ln., Partial - Mountain Rd., Monson Rd., Tinkham Rd., Main St.

So That Reminds Me

Call Holly @ 413.788.1316

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443B SHAKER ROAD, EAST LONGMEADOW, MA · 181 ROOT ROAD, WESTFIELD, MA · THEREMINDER.COM

BRIMFIELD

ARPC LLC, to David Labonte and Betsy Labonte, 54 Little Alum Road Charles L. Stanton to Massachusetts Comm Conservation & Recreation, Off Haynes Hill Road Christine A. Byrne to Andrew Briand, 243 Brookfield Road Oded Light, trustee, and Light Living Trust, trustee of, to Daniel Matte, 305 Warren Road

EAST LONGMEADOW

Ace Asphalt Maintenance Inc., to James Gordon and Michelle Gordon, 5 Farmer Circle Bedrock Financial LLC, trustee, and Dark Star Realty Trust, trustee of, to William Ngaruiya, 80 Pease Road Loretta M. White and Loretta Riffo to C. A. Izzo Family Trust, 265 Vineland Ave. Thomas John Mazza to Riccardo G. Albano, 115 Fernwood Drive

HAMPDEN

Chenevert Proprties LLC, and Chenevert Properties LLC, to Corey A. Chenevert, 5 Bennett Road White Birch Garden Apartments Inc., to Fab Holdings LLC, 359 Main St. Patricia A. Ross to Jonathan Mish, 133 Somers Road

LONGMEADOW

Diane L. Teta and Paul A. Teta to Abdel Al Hamamsy, 44 Wendover Road Gregor Kowalewski and Donna Kowalewski to Huaqing Yang and Hua C. Yang, 5 Ferncroft St. Jason J. Padaam and Jasmine J. Padaam to Masoud Hashemi and Zohreh Hashemi, 47 Academy Drive Kenneth Roland Blackmer III, and Aleksandra M. Blackmer to Kristina Bazarian, 260 Longmeadow St.

LUDLOW

Bretta Construction LLC, to Elizabeth Nawoichik and Cody Ramirez, 60 Loopley St. Kos Realty Inc., to V&V Properties LLC, 60 East St. Mark Frink and Scott Frink to Larissa Marie Hayden and Tyler Gates, 334 Munsing St.

WE AR E OF FE RIN G A BO NU S INC EN TIV E TO NE W CA RR IER S AF TE R CO MP LE TIN G 4 WE EKS!

Zaide Soufane to Keith Cunningham, 51 Parkview St. $330,000 MONSON $80,000 Clark R. Zelazo to Gleb Leiderman, 0 Paradise Lake Road $490,000 $55,000 PALMER BBrian J. Lachance and Melissa L. Lachance to Sean Powers, 2077 Calkins Road Jeffery K. Florence to Grant C. Irving, 1018-1020 Maple St. $100 Lawrence Jasak, Randolph J. Jasak and Mildred Jasak to Mariely Lopez De Leon, 4329 High St. $745,000 Palmer Town to Dominic Kirchner II, trustee, and Varakas Realty Trust, trustee of, 207 Breckenridge St. $368,000 Thomas R. Mega to Mark Smith, 71 Beech St. $340,000

$310,000 $140,000 $361,000 $335,000 $250,000 $70,000 $173,500

SPRINGFIELD

Alexander Rohan, Catherine Rohan and Catherine Kwiecien to Carly Croteau, 91 Lancaster St. $320,000 $100 Andre Denardo to Tracy Beauvois, 6 Eton St. $370,000 $2,500,000 Annemarie M. Hannigan and Kevin J. Hannigan to Bao Doan and Hoang Doan, 20 Lively Lane $305,000 $70,000 Bryan D. Deely, representative, and John H. Deely, estate, to Tyler Bode and Samantha McCarthy, 56 Hadley St. $319,000 Carrasquillo Fix Up LLC, to Nancy E. Cintron, 40 Goldenrod St. $315,000 $340,000 $681,750 Catherine T. Maciolek to Bryan Cutshall and Summer Cutshall, 66 Walsh St. $270,000 $400,000 Cabrera, 261 West Allen Ridge Road $96,000 $705,000 Couture Property Group LLC, to Drisana Kane, 140 Chestnut St. Unit 202 $600,000

WILBRAHAM

Laurie E. Barber and Mark Jurkowski to Giuseppe R. Demaria and Emily K. Demaria, 11 Hickory Hill Drive $575,000 Manuel F. Esteves and Maria G. Esteves to Anthony M. Detora, 13-13.5 Weston St. $910,000 Michelle Roller-Candery to Paul Ireland, 6 Nokomis Road $430,000 Zachary Jackson Chaffee and Nicole Chaffee to Todd A. Ely, 8 Glenn Drive

$500,000 $555,000 $88,000 $405,000

JANUARY 15 - 21, 2026 | EAST LONGMEADOW

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