Students become tree experts with Arbor Day celebrations
The sun shined down on a cheery circle of fourth grade students from Center Elementary School on April 29 as they planted a new tree and participated in workshops to grow their tree knowledge and celebrate Arbor Day.
Page 4
EAST LONGMEADOW School Committee tackles budget deficit, talks challenges
The East Longmeadow School Committee is working to bridge a $1.1 million deficit from the town’s requested level services budget of 3%.
Superintendent Gordon Smith said the district is attempting to “reorganize funding before we hit the actual people who are doing the work with our students.”
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Old Meeting House sets opening day for Hill Climb
By Peter Tuohy ptuohy@thereminder.com
WILBRAHAM — One of Wilbraham’s most historic buildings is preparing to open for the season in correlation with a tradition dating back to 1908.
The Old Meeting House Museum at 450 Main St. welcomes Wilbraham Hill Climb event goers with a free open house to kick off the season on May 9 at 8 a.m.
Guests have the opportunity to visit during the race, peruse the museum’s artifacts and shop from a full stock of local merchandise, including an exclusive Hill Climb T-shirt.
The Hill Climb began as the earliest tests for the American automobile, when car makers would bring their machines to the hill on Monson Road to test them on a steep incline. The tradition still lives on over a century later and has become a full community event with the vintage car race, a car show and activities all throughout the center of town beginning at 9 a.m.
Food trucks will also arrive at 10 a.m. and the exhibition races begin at 2 p.m. The winner of the Hill Climb will be announced at 3 p.m. This year’s race will feature over 20 vintage race cars, five vintage motorcycles, live timing displays and leaderboards.
Spectator parking will be available at Minnechaug Regional High School, with the starting line and viewing area at 26 Monson Road and the finish line at 252 Monson Road. The car show
and food will run along Main Street with the craft sale at Memorial Park.
The event also features something new this year that “adds a chapter that would have felt fitting to the car makers who started it all,” according to a press release.
Engineering teams from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Boston University, the University of Massachusetts Amherst and Western New England University are expected to bring prototype vehicles and student-built technology to the race.
“It matters because the engineers, designers and prototypes of 1908 were on that same hill,” Hill Climb Organizer Jeffrey DeMarey said in the press release. “Now we have talented young engineers from some of the best programs on the east coast coming to test their vehicles on the very same road.”
The Old Meeting House Museum Marketing Director Lindsey Bourcier said the Hill Climb has become a natural start to the museum’s season over the last couple of years.
“It’s one of the busiest and most exciting days in the center of town,” Bourcier said. “Since we’re right on Main Street, it’s the perfect opportunity to open our doors and welcome visitors, many of whom are stepping inside for the first time.”
The museum originally opened in 1793 and is the oldest Methodist meeting house in New England. It is currently run by the Atheneum Society of Wilbraham,
a nonprofit organization founded in 1963 by residents committed to preserving the town’s history.
“We offer free, family-friendly programs throughout our May through December season, from historical talks and special exhibits, to seasonal events like our Ice Cream Social and Holiday Fest,” Bourcier said. “The museum serves as a gathering place for residents and visitors alike to connect with Wilbraham’s past while building community in the present.”
Bourcier said the museum has put more time and energy into programming this year than ever to create events that bring locals together, with returning fan-favorite events while also introduc-
Right to left: Diane Testa, Trustee Karen Geaghan, Trustee Bradley Gregory and Museum President David Bourcier holding the museum’s exclusive Hill Climb T-shirt.
Reminder Publishing submitted photo
See MUSEUM on page 13
Baystate Health to absorb Mercy Medical Center
By Sarah Heinonen sheinonen@thereminder.com
SPRINGFIELD — Mercy Medical Center, which has been affiliated with Trinity Health of New England for more than a decade, is slated to become Baystate Mercy Hospital by the end of the year.
In announcing Baystate Health’s acquisition of Mercy, Baystate Health President and CEO Peter D. Banko stated, “Mercy and the Sisters of Providence have been a fixture in our community since 1874. This is an investment in both the past and the future of health care and economic development in Western Massachusetts. Today, access forces too many patients to leave the region to seek care, and we need to ensure that care is compassionate, high quality, affordable, and local.”
A joint press release from Baystate and Trinity about the transition cited “inadequate reimbursement for care, industry-wide shifts — such as declining payment rates, changing consumer preferences toward outpatient services and persistent staffing shortages,” at Mercy as reasons behind the move.
Mercy has taken steps in recent years to bolster its financial position. Among them, Mercy Medical Center’s Certified Nurse Midwives moved maternity delivery services to Baystate Medical Center in December 2025. Baystate’s website states, “We have rigorously prepared for an additional 800 deliveries annually, including actively recruiting more OB/GYNs, midwives and nurses.”
Mayor Domenic Sarno re-
CORRECTION
leased a statement on the merger.
“I am very thankful to Baystate Health’s efforts to preserve two hospitals in the city. There was a distinct possibility that Mercy/ Trinity would simply close down. That was unacceptable,” Sarno said. “From the beginning, with my continued interaction with Baystate Health and Mercy/Trinity officials, as well as state officials, notably Gov. Maura Healey and Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll, I indicated that it was imperative that Springfield and the region must preserve two top notch hospitals for health care accessibility for the residents of Springfield and the surrounding areas. I am thankful to Baystate Health President & CEO Peter Banko, Gov. Healey, Lt. Gov. Driscoll and all parties involved for their efforts, and after long negotiations, that this has come to fruition.”
U.S. Rep. Richard Neal, who represents the state’s first congressional district, including the greater Springfield area, also praised the move. “I am pleased that Baystate Health and Trinity Health have reached an agreement that will allow these two vibrant hospitals to continue serving our communities,” Neal said. “As the country continues to grapple with unprecedented health care cuts resulting from President Trump’s One Big, Ugly Law, this acquisition will expand access to health care and improve services throughout the Pioneer Valley and beyond.”
Neal continued, “Together, these institutions represent more than three centuries of service to western and central Massachusetts. Ensuring their viability and continued success is vital
In the April 16 edition of The Reminder in the article titled “HWRSD awarded $30,000 for news literacy program,” News Literacy Project’s Senior Director of Media Relations Christina Veiga’s last name was spelled incorrectly, we regret the error.
to the health of our families and our local economies, and this announcement represents a critical step in strengthening our regional health care system for generations to come.”
Baystate issued a statement thanking the Healey-Driscoll administration, Neal, Sarno and the Western Massachusetts Legislative delegation “for their steadfast and unwavering support of this hospital partnership in Western Massachusetts.”
Despite this statement, some members of the Western Massachusetts legislative delegation have questions about the change. State Rep. Carlos Gonzalez said he has reached out to Banko to request a meeting with himself and the rest of the Springfield delegation to discuss the implications for local health care services and personnel.
“The announcement of the acquisition raises significant concerns regarding the future of our health care landscape,” said Gon-
zalez. “It is vital that we ensure the continued operation of both hospitals in Springfield. Protecting our dedicated workers and staff is essential, as is guaranteeing that our community retains access to critical medical services.”
Like Gonzalez, state Sen. Jake Oliveira, who represents portions of Springfield, also said he has many questions about Mercy becoming affiliated with Baystate. However, he said the priority is to ensure that both Mercy and Baystate Medical Center continue to operate.
“If Mercy shut their doors, it would send a ripple effect” through Western Massachusetts health care, he said, adding that the hospital serves a lot of people on Medicare and Medicaid. “It’s my hope that we have two hospitals operating in Springfield because there is such a great need.”
Oliveira said he hopes that Mercy will keep its character, as he said other hospitals have done after being absorbed by Bay-
state. He said many people seek treatment at Mercy because it is a Catholic hospital and people “value that kind of care.”
The legislator said he was concerned about health care consolidation but pointed out that Baystate hospitals are not people’s only options in the Pioneer Valley. Cooley-Dickinson Hospital in Northampton is affiliated with Mass General Brigham and Holyoke Medical Center is an independent hospital.
Trinity Health of New England stated on its website that no immediate staffing changes are planned. The health care group declined to make any other comment. Reminder Publishing reached out to Baystate with questions about staffing and personnel changes, but did not receive a response by press time.
Provided that the transition is approved after the regulatory review process, Mercy will be absorbed on Nov. 1.
Baystate Health recently announced that it will absorb Mercy Medical Center (pictured), which has been operated by Trinity Health of New England since 2015.
Reminder Publishing photo by Sarah Heinonen
Students become tree experts with Arbor Day celebrations
By Peter Tuohy ptuohy@thereminder.com
LONGMEADOW —
The sun
shined down on a cheery circle of fourth grade students from Center Elementary School on April 29 as they planted a new tree and participated in workshops to grow their tree knowledge and celebrate Arbor Day.
This was one out of four separate events that also took place at Blueberry Hill School, Wolf Swamp Road School and St. Mary’s Academy. The celebration began with students filing into the Center School cafeteria with a buzz of excitement before separating into two groups for different workshops, one led by Tree Committee Chair Kathy Kucab covering the vast reasons trees are so important.
students this year taking home an Eastern Red Bud seedling.
Tree Committee member Lou Kornet said these celebrations are a big deal for the students and date back 61 years. Tree Warden
Leah Wallner said about 23,815 tree seedlings have been given to students in those 61 years, with
The other workshop was on identifying trees by things like bark, leaves and branches and was led by Abbie Stone from the DPW. One student correctly identified an oak tree just by the bark’s characteristics.
The morning came to a conclusion with a lesson from Wallner on the proper way to plant a tree, being assisted by the group of students with making sure the tree wasn’t crooked, pushing the soil down and raking it evenly. The students closed out the
celebration with chanting “The Lorax” once the tree was firm in the ground.
Wallner told Reminder Publishing that the town has a really fun program and that she feels lucky to be a part of it.
“I think my favorite part of the Arbor Day celebrations was showing the students that grow-
ing up and becoming a professional doesn’t have to be boring, and that everybody belongs in the forestry world,” Wallner said. “As a young woman, I had to find a lot of inspiration within myself because I rarely saw people who looked like me working in labor roles. Forestry and tree work is still a male-dominated field, and it is highly important to me to show the upcoming generation that regardless of who you are, you belong in whatever role you are passionate about. Inspiring students to find beauty and value in natural resources, and motivating them to not just look at trees but truly see their complexity, will hopefully leave them curious to learn more.”
She said one of the most memorable aspects of this year’s celebration is when a young girl came up to her after the tree planting and asked if she could be “assistant tree warden.”
“It was heartwarming, I felt like the presentation really resonated with this individual,” Wallner said. “Moments like that keep me moving along when the job gets tough and I hope to bump into her again many years from now at a future arborist expo.”
WALK MS COMES TO LONGMEADOW — On May 3, Walk MS came to Longmeadow High School to raise awareness about MS and fundraise for research for
Reminder Publishing photos by Lisa Nolan
From left: Abbie Stone from the DPW has students guess the type of tree based on its branches. Tree Committee member Lou Kornet assists Wallner in planting a tree outside Center Elementary School. One student assists in raking out the soil surrounding the tree.
Reminder Publishing photos by Peter Tuohy
School Committee tackles budget deficit, talks challenges
By Peter Tuohy ptuohy@thereminder.com
EAST LONGMEADOW —
The East Longmeadow School Committee is working to bridge a $1.1 million deficit from the town’s requested level services budget of 3%. Superintendent Gordon Smith said the district is attempting to “reorganize funding before we hit the actual people who are doing the work with our students.”
A number of different challenges has increased the School Department’s fiscal year 2027 level service budget by 6.24%, with discussion of the impact the challenges have and methods to bridge the budget gap occurring at the meeting on April 27.
Smith said a driving factor for the increase is the current year’s inflation rate of 3.3%, stating that the rate is still rising because of “circumstances that are going on globally and domestically.”
Transportation is also a significant cost to the budget, with a projected 11.6% increase in spending during FY26. FY24 saw a 9% increase and FY25 saw a 3.3% increase. Smith said Chapter 70 aid also isn’t keeping up with other costs in the budget, with only a 1.2% increase for FY27, the same
increase as FY26.
Smith also looked at the per pupil spending from a 2022-2024 report by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. East Longmeadow came in below state average each year, with the largest difference being in 2023 with $2,447 below state average.
The only school district in the Lower Pioneer Valley Educational Collaborative to have a higher per pupil spending than state average across those three years was Agawam in 2022, coming in $226 above average.
“The last two school years we have reduced positions and dealt with budget challenges,” Smith said. “My guess is when you look at FY25, when [DESE] calculates it and ultimately down the road when they calculate per pupil expenditure for FY26, you’re going to see that number drop.”
Smith also shared data showing the budget increases granted by the town in the past 11 years. He said positions used to be at risk of elimination when the town could only grant an increase under 2%, such as in FY15 and FY21 when five were eliminated and FY22 when six were eliminated.
That percentage has now
changed, with 20 positions eliminated in FY26 on a 2.5% increase and a projected number of six positions being eliminated in FY27 on the town’s request for a 3% increase.
“We’re looking at getting 3% from the town, an increase of 3%,” Smith said. “As you look at FY27, to meet that, because we know level services was 6.24%, we’re going to need to eliminate up to six positions, and depending on where the town’s budget finally lands, because the town budget process does not finish until May, if that were to reduce then we would need to come back to the drawing board and look at where else we can make changes.”
Smith said “the heart and soul of what the school does is human interaction with students” and that the committee has been working since January to find methods of bridging the gap, such as reorganizing funds and raising revenue.
Initial budgeting strategies include freezing the curriculum renewal cycle for $80,000, a memorandum of understanding with the East Longmeadow Education Association on contractual individual professional development money for $130,000, reducing personalized learning software for $51,000, using School Choice
rollover for $150,000, expanding School Choice slots by 25 for $125,000 and prepaying the vocational tuition at the LPVEC for $225,000. These strategies came out to $761,000 toward reducing the expected increase from the town, but the district was notified in March that the Title I grant, funded to schools with low-income students, would be cut by at least $23,000. This cut required additional staff positions to be reduced through attrition, the gradual reduction of a workforce that occurs when staff leaves and aren’t immediately replaced. Smith told Reminder Publishing that the $23,000 cut isn’t the definitive number yet and could be more.
The positions eliminated for
FY27 include a Meadow Brook kindergarten retirement, a high school business retirement and clerical position, a Birchland Park paraprofessional retirement, a Meadow View classroom teacher resignation and Maple Shade classroom teacher position.
Smith told Reminder Publishing that the retirement and resignation positions will already be vacant by the end of the school year and won’t be reposted to fill.
The person filling the clerical position would also have the option to transfer to another school in the district.
Each strategy and position elimination brought the total reduction to $1.2 million, with the total FY27 budget request coming out to $38 million.
DA’s Office presents ‘Just Once’ at East Longmeadow High School
EAST LONGMEADOW — In an effort to raise awareness and address the dangers of experimenting with drugs and the risk of taking prescription medication, the Hampden District Attorney’s Office recently visited East Longmeadow High School to present “Just Once” to students in grades 9-12.
The “Just Once” presentation includes a 24-minute documen-
tary that tells the story of drug addiction and recovery through former students that attended local high schools, their parents, and experts in the field. The film delivers a powerful message, with a purpose of reinstating with young students: trying a drug “just once” can lead to devastating consequences. In addition to the documentary, students heard from guest
speaker Bradley Bodenstein who shared his personal story of addiction, loss and recovery, reinforcing the real-life consequences of substance use. Bodenstein now works as program coordinator for the Hampden County Addiction Task Force for the Hampden County Sheriff’s Office.
“This ‘Just Once’ presentation is about making young people stop and think before they take a
risk they can’t undo,” said Hampden District Attorney Anthony D. Gulluni. “Too often, we see lives changed forever because of a single decision to experiment with drugs or misuse prescription medication. Our goal is to show that there is no such thing as ‘just once’ – the consequences can be immediate, devastating, and permanent.”
The “Just Once” presentation
is part of the Hampden district attorney’s ongoing efforts to combat substance abuse and the opioid crisis through education, prevention, and community engagement. Schools, parent organizations and community groups interested in hosting a presentation can contact Deputy Director of Community Safety and Outreach Gina Anselmo at gina.anselmo@mass.gov.
The East Longmeadow School Committee hears the fiscal year 2027 budget presentation from Superintendent Gordon Smith.
Photo credit: ELCAT01028
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.
Adult programs:
• Antique and Collectible Appraisal — Saturday, May 16, at 1 p.m. Perfect Pastime 617,will be at the library for a collectibles appraisal event, so gather up all your memorabilia, coins, video games, comics, fine/broken jewelry, sterling silver, etc. to see if you have treasure or trash!
• The Needlework Network — Wednesday, May 13, at 3 p.m.
Teen programs: Teen Writing Group — Tuesday, May 12, at 2:30 p.m.
PLEASANT VIEW SENIOR CENTER
The following events will be hosted at the Pleasant View Senior Center, 328 North Main St. For more information or to register, call 413-5255436.
• MassEDP Table Top — Wednesday, May 13, from 1011 a.m.
• Hampden County Registry of Deeds Friday, May 15, at 11 a.m. Cheryl Coakley-Rivera, Esq. Register of Deeds invites homeowners to an Informational Seminar.
COOKING CLASS
A cooking class will be offered by Ilda Fazio as a benefit for Pleasant View Senior Center, May 15, at
TOWN EVENTS
2 p.m. at 328 N Main St. Sign-up
ends May 8. The class is $30. Payment required at time of registration at the center.
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.
Creative Roots Studio with Trish Pilon — Wednesday, May 13, from 9:30 a.m. to noon.
Cost is $10
Mercy Rehab Hospital and Mercy Medical Center Stroke Awareness Presentation — Wednesday, May 13, 10-11 a.m. Free, please RSVP.
Lobby Learning: Powerback, Stroke Awareness — Thursday, May 14
• Memory Café: Rhythm and Motion with Diane — Friday, May 15, at 10:15 a.m.
• Lunch and Learn: Preventing Scams with Polish National Credit Union — Friday, May 15, at noon. Free, please RSVP.
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.
Youth programs: Stories and Movement (ages 2 and up) — Tuesday, May 12, 9:30-10 a.m.
• Newbies (ages birth to 18 months) — Tuesday, May 12, 10:45-11:30 a.m.
• Lego Build It! — Tuesday, May 12, 3:30-4 p.m. Grow Play Learn (ages birth to 5 years) — Wednesday, May 13, 9:30-10:30 a.m.
• Tiny Tales — Thursday, May 14, 9:30-10:00 am
STEAM: Color Robots — Thursday, May 14, 3:30-4 p.m.
• Silly Scarves Dance Party — Friday, May 15, 3:30-4 p.m.
Adult programs: VIRTUAL: Play Along Ukulele from Home! — Monday, May 11, 7-8 p.m.
Loosely Bound Book Club Afternoons — Tuesday, May 12, 1:30-2:30 p.m. This month’s selection: “Heartwood” by Amity Gaige.
Tech Tuesdays — Tuesday, May 12, 1:30-4:30 p.m.
• Library Virtual Speakers: How to Robot-Proof Your Kids (and Yourself) with Dr. Vivienne Ming — Tuesday, May 12, 2-4 p.m.
• Downsizing and Decluttering with AARP Speakers Bureau — Tuesday, May 12, 6:30-7:30 p.m.
• Music Appreciation with Rob Humberston — Wednesday, May 13, 1-2:30 p.m.
• Ages of Music History: Middle Ages - 20th Century Great Decisions with Vinnie Ferraro — Wednesday, May 13, 4:30-6:30 p.m.
• Weekly Writers Group — Thursday, May 14, 9:30-11 a.m.
Bocce on the Lawn — Thursday, May 14, 11 a.m. to noon
• Styling with Vintage & Thrifted Fashion — Thursday, May 14, 1-2 p.m.
Antiques and Collectibles Appraisal with Perfect Pastime
617 — Saturday, May 16, 9:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.
Dungeons & Dragons — Saturday, May 16, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
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.
• “A Salute To The American Soldier” — Tuesday, May 12, at 5:30 — Military musical actor,
entertainer and author Wayne Soares will present his new Military Musical, “A Salute to the American Soldier.”
Local historian George Kingston — Thrusday, May 14, at 6 p.m. Historian George Kingston will tell the history behind the separation of the region in the 1800’s.
2026 REFUGE
PHOTOGRAPHY CONTEST
Friends of Fannie Stebbins is sponsoring a Photo Contest in celebration of the Refuge’s 75th Anniversary. Any photographer may submit their recent photos by going to mycameraclub.com, registering for free, and searching for “Friends of Fannie Stebbins 75th.” Rules and regulations are listed there. The contest is open from May 1 through Sept. 1. The 20 best photos will be featured in an exhibit at the Longmeadow Adult Center for the month of October. For questions contact Lucille: llbrindisi@gmail.com
FLORAL FOCACCIA EVENT
The Chabad Women will host a Floral Focaccia Event on Thursday, May 14, at 7:30 p.m. at LYA, 1148 Converse St. Grab your apron and we will provide all the necessary supplies to create your own floral focaccia. Focaccia is a flat leavened oven-baked Italian bread. At the event the focaccia bread will be decorated with floral vegetables in honor of Shavuot. Refreshments will include cheese, crackers, vegetables and dips. RSVP Chanie Cohen 413-731-1381 or chaniecohen@gmail.com Cost for the evening is $20. Admission includes all supplies and refreshments.
PLANT SWAP
There will be a plant swap at the Longmeadow Adult Center, 211 Maple Road, Thursday, May 14, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Bring a plant and take a plant. Indoor/outdoor plants with no limits on swaps. Rain or shine.
WILBRAHAM
WILBRAHAM PUBLIC LIBRARY
The following programs take place at the Wilbraham Public Library, located at 25 Crane Park Drive. For more information or to sign up for programs, head to wilbrahamlibrary.org or call 413-596-6141.
• Teen Advisory Board — Monday, May 11, from 4-5 p.m.
• “Ella Grasso: The First of the Firsts” — Monday, May 11, from 6-7 p.m. Linda Melconian, former American state legislator who served as the first woman Majority Leader in the history of the Massachusetts Senate, will discuss her book, “Ella Grasso: The First of the Firsts.”
VIRTUAL: “A Guardian and a Thief” with author Megha Majumdar — Monday, May 11, from 7:30-8:30 p.m.
Pathways for Parents: Grow, Play, Learn — Tuesday, May 12, from 9:30-10:30 a.m.
• Lego Club — Wednesday, May 13, from 4-6 p.m. Chill with Choo Choo Charlie! — Drop-in with a Therapy Dog — Thursday, May 14, from 9-10 a.m. K-3 Crafternoon — Thursday, May 14, from 3:45-4:30 p.m.
• Pathways for Parents: Tinker Playgroup — Friday, May 15, from 9:30-10:30 a.m.
VALLEY PHOTO CENTER PHOTO CLUB EXHIBIT
The Valley Photo Center Photo Club has an exhibition of member’s work in the meeting room at the Wilbraham Public Library at 25 Crane Dr., that will be on display until May 29. There will be a meet the artists reception at the library on Wednesday, May 13, from 6:30-8 p.m. The exhibit and reception is free and open to the public. For more information about the club visit thevalleyphotocenter.yolasite.com/ Photos were made with a grant from the Springfield Cultural Council for an exhibit in Springfield.
HAMPDEN/WILBRAHAM
Hampden finalizes warrant for Annual Town Meeting
By Peter Tuohy ptuohy@thereminder.com
HAMPDEN — The warrant has been finalized and Hampden voters can expect to vote on budget matters, bylaw amendments and financial transfers at the upcoming Annual Town Meeting on May 16, 6:30 p.m. at Hampden Town Hall, 85 Wilbraham Road.
An explanations and background information sheet from the town explains that the moderator will implement a procedure known as the consent agenda to save time, which is the process of voting on non-controversial and housekeeping type articles in a single motion.
“Any registered voter may voice an objection and request that the moderator remove the article from the consent agenda,” the sheet states. “Any articles removed from the consent agenda will be considered in the normal order of business.”
The first four articles in the warrant are a part of the consent agenda, with Article 1 to hear the annual reports of all officers and committees of the town.
Article 2 looks at if the town will vote to authorize fiscal year 2027 revolving fund amounts for $279,000 across the town’s eight funds. This article sets a limit for pre-existing funds that are established through general bylaws.
State law requires spending limits to be voted on each fiscal year.
Article 3 is to see if the town will allow the Library Board of Trustees to accept potential state aid for the Hampden Public Library. The library received $14,160 in state aid for FY26 and the funds would be used at the trustees’ discretion.
Article 4 is to see if the town will raise and appropriate $18,000 to the Board of Assessors for FY27 Massachusetts Department of Revenue mandated programs, such as required inspections and property valuations.
Article 5 is where the consent agenda ends and requests that voters agree to hear a report from
the Old Town House Committee, which was established in December 2025 to study and explore future scenarios for the, now vacant, Town House at 625 Main St.
Article 6 looks to accept the state’s annual Chapter 90 highway funding. Hampden’s allotment for FY27 is $428,221.
Article 7 asks the voters to approve the annual operating budget as recommended by the Advisory Committee, which stands at $18.6 million.
Article 8 requests voters to approve the Hampden-Wilbraham Regional School District capital assessment, as proposed by the School Committee. Hampden’s share is $34,652 and covers the
purchase of things like network upgrades and a dump body truck.
Article 9 is for voters to decide if a sum of money is appropriated to fund the transfer station from estimated income in FY27 operations, the tax levy or a transfer from available funds. The operating budget for the transfer station is estimated to be $146,500. Hampden turns 150 years old in 2028 and Article 10 looks to set aside a sum of money to celebrate the anniversary. $20,000 has already been set aside so far. Funding for Article 11 would go toward the resource officer at Minnechaug Regional
Wilbraham solidifies list of articles ahead of Annual Town Meeting
By Peter Tuohy ptuohy@thereminder.com
WILBRAHAM — Wilbraham’s Annual Town Meeting is set for 6:30 p.m. on May 11 at Minnechaug Regional High School and the warrant has been finalized. Voters can expect to make decisions on 43 articles, covering everything from appropriating funds, bylaw changes and town projects.
The first 13 articles are a part of the consent agenda, which will be voted on in one motion. Articles can be removed from the consent agenda by the moderator in order to address voter questions.
Article 3 would put an estimated $2.48 million toward the water enterprise fund budget and $99,214 to the general fund to cover indirect costs, establishing the fiscal year 2027 budget for the Water Enterprise Fund. Article 4 looks at appropriating $100,000
to the water enterprise Reserve Fund to meet “unforeseen and extraordinary costs,” according to the warrant.
Article 5 puts around $1.3 million toward the waste water enterprise fund budget and $37,499 to the general fund, with Article 6 putting $70,000 to its reserve fund. Articles 7 and 8 cover the solid waste enterprise fund budget for $392,851 and the reserve fund for $20,000.
The town’s ambulance service is supported in Article 9, with $1.37 million appropriated to cover personal services, operating and capital costs. Article 11 would support the operation of Wilbraham Public Access Television for $182,650, appropriated from the PEG Access and Cable Related fund.
Article 14 will determine if the Select Board is authorized to make lease agreements for
various municipal equipment.
The Select Board shall identify any contract for the lease, with an option to purchase, within its budget submission to the Finance Committee. It requires a ⅔ majority vote to pass.
Article 15 would fix the maximum amount that may be spent by town departments, boards agencies or officers in FY27 revolving funds.
An example would be expenditures by the Council on Aging’s Director of Elder Affairs not exceeding $50,000 for costs like programs, repair and maintenance of equipment or fees for instructors and classes. The full list of departments and revolving fund limits can be viewed on the warrant, found on the town’s website.
Article 17 looks to adopt special parliamentary procedures for the purpose of implementing the
provisions of Chapter 580 of the Acts of 1980. The article explanation states, “under this article, Town Meeting agrees to accept the Finance Committee’s revenue estimates for the FY27 budget, and to keep total expenditures in balance with revenues. A voter making a motion to increase spending must identify the funding source.”
Article 19 presents the Finance Committee’s recommendations for the FY27 budget and raises sums of money, as deemed necessary, for settling town expenses.
Article 20 would use $3 million in free cash for capital projects instead of issuing debt, covering projects in departments like the library, fire, highway, police, recreation and schools. Article 21 separately uses $135,348 in free cash for capital projects at Minnechaug. The Finance Committee recommends one aspect
of the Minnechaug projects, IDF switches and network upgrades for $60,229, but does not recommend a dump body truck and sander for $75,119.
Article 23 would add $300,000 to the stabilization fund, the town’s savings account. The funds would be transferred from overlay surplus certified as excess by the Board of Assessors or from other available funds like free cash.
Article 24 covers $175,000 to cover the Miller Street water main replacement project, water meter replacements program and water system infrastructure improvements. The funding is for the Water Department’s FY27 capital budget. Article 25 puts $60,000 from the waste water enterprise retained earnings to fund pump station improvements and Article 26 puts $10,000 to-
WILBRAHAM — With the May 16 town election approaching quickly in Wilbraham, Reminder Publishing sent questions to the candidates for the contested Select Board race.
Current Select Board Chair Michael Squindo is seeking reelection for a second three-year term, with newcomer Ryan Costello looking to fill the seat as well. Squindo joined the Select Board in 2023 after winning his race against incumbent Carmela Blair by 28 votes. The questions slightly vary per candidate as Costello is running for the the first time and Squindo is up for reelection.
Q: What are your general thoughts or feelings going into election season?
Squindo: Election season is an energetic and exciting time of year for me. It’s an opportunity for residents to share their priorities for the future while thoughtfully evaluating the candidates they will choose to carry those priorities forward. I value the conversations that come with hearing directly from residents about their concerns, ideas, and hopes for the community. It is an important exchange which helps to ensure we’re moving in the right direction together.
Costello: I’m feeling positive and energized. I think the current Select Board has done a good job tackling some complex issues, and it’s encouraging to see that progress. At the same time, I think there’s an opportunity to build on that – especially when it comes to transparency, communication and making sure residents feel more connected to the decision-making process. I’m really looking forward to getting out, talking with people and hearing what matters most to them.
Q: Is there anything you’d like voters to know in specific, or why would you hope to get their vote?
Costello: At the heart of my campaign is the idea of “One Wilbraham” – bringing people together around a shared vision for the town. I’ll bring experience, a practical approach and a real commitment to listening. My goal is simple: to make thoughtful decisions that reflect the community and help position Wilbraham for the future. I’d be honored to earn people’s support to that end.
Squindo: Over the past three years, I’ve worked to bring a focused, thoughtful and collaborative approach to the Select Board –helping move important priorities forward while strengthening transparency and accountability. I’m proud of the progress we’ve made, but there is still important work ahead. I’m running for reelection because I care about the future of this community and I believe in doing the work the right way – setting clear priorities, making informed decisions and ensuring every voice is heard. Whether it’s long-term planning, fiscal responsibility or improving the quality of life in Wilbraham, I’m committed to delivering results that reflect the needs and values of our residents. I would be honored to earn your vote again and continue working on your behalf. Please visit www. electmikesquindo.com or email me at electmikesquindo@gmail. com to learn more. Thank you for your support, and I respectfully ask for your vote on May 16, 2026. Q: Can you tell me about your background and what inspired you to run for this position?
Costello: I’m a Hampden/Wilbraham native and a 1999 graduate of Minnechaug. After spending many years living and working abroad in Italy, I was thrilled to move back to town in 2025. Professionally, I’ve spent over 20 years as an international lawyer, executive and board member. My work has focused on navigating complex legal and corporate challenges, balancing competing business priorities and helping organizations make clear, data-driven decisions. I’ve also served on nonprofit boards and supported community initiatives, which has given me hands-on experience in governance, collaboration and leadership. All that said, though, I’m most proud of my role as a proud father to three absolutely amazing kids. Wilbraham is
home, and coming back really reinforced how much this community means to me. I felt a strong pull to give back in a meaningful way. There are some important decisions ahead for the town – around infrastructure, schools and economic development – and I want to be part of helping guide those conversations in a thoughtful, practical way. That’s really what motivated me to run.
Q: Is there something that stands out as your favorite part of being on the Select Board?
Squindo: My favorite part of serving on the Select Board is being a small part of the success that comes when our community works together toward a common goal. One example is the effort to locate the pickleball courts at Memorial School. Through the dedication of the Playground and Recreation Commission, the Parks and Recreation Department and strong support from the pickleball community, these courts are now a valuable addition to our town’s recreational programming. Another example is the progress on sidewalk improvements, including the intersection of Springfield Street and Stony Hill Road and the final install of sidewalks at the intersection of Stony Hill Road and Boston Road. With the support of the Annual Town Meeting on May 11, 2026, these projects are positioned to move forward and become a reality. They reflect consistent advocacy from residents for improved safety and walkability. These projects also reflect and are a result of the leadership of our DPW director and her team in guiding us in becoming a Complete Streets community, opening the door to additional funding to support this work. While the process can be long, seeing that collaboration turn into real results is what I value most – and it’s why I’m proud to serve.
Q: Is there anything that you have your eyes set on to accomplish within the Select Board that hasn’t been done yet or you think could be improved on?
Costello: There are a few areas I’d focus on. First, continuing to move forward on key sidewalk projects, like the Stony Hill School connection and improvements near Town Hall. These are the kinds of projects that improve safety and really bring the community together. Second, supporting thoughtful economic development – especially in the town center – so we can strengthen the local economy while still preserving what makes
Wilbraham special. Third, improving transparency and engagement. I think there’s a real opportunity to communicate more clearly and give residents more meaningful ways to be part of the process. Q: Do you have anything on your mind that you would still like to accomplish with the Select Board in the case you’re reelected?
Squindo: If re-elected, there are three major areas I would like the town to focus on over the next three years. First, after more than a decade of study and discussion, the town must move forward with a clear, actionable plan for Memorial School. At the 2022 Annual Town Meeting, Wilbraham supported a non-binding resolution to relocate Parks and Recreation to Memorial School. The Select Board should ensure that a comprehensive plan is ready for consideration by Annual Town Meeting in spring 2027, following the final review and recommendations of the Building Utilization Committee. Second, Wilbraham must continue working collaboratively with Hampden, the School Committee and our regional partners to address long-term challenges facing our school district. Both communities’ Select Boards are actively engaged in discussions about the future of the middle school,
including near-term improvements and the potential for a full renovation or new construction project likely to exceed $100 million, with partial state reimbursement. In addition, the Select Board must continue advocating at the state level to address chronic underfunding of public education. Finally, Wilbraham should take a more proactive approach to housing and affordability. The town currently falls below the state benchmark for affordable housing under Chapter 40B. We need to develop a Housing Production Plan to address that gap while building community support. This is important not only for compliance, but to ensure that residents who grew up in Wilbraham – or hope to move here – can afford to stay. We should also explore targeted measures such as increasing the Senior Work-Off Program abatement from $1,500 to $2,000, providing property tax relief in exchange for volunteer service. Additional solutions may require home-rule petitions or state legislative action, and I look forward to engaging residents and advancing practical proposals. These are complex challenges, but they are achievable with clear direction, collaboration and consistent follow-through.
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Article #7 of the Warrant seems innocent but the $8.6 million is additional future property taxes to subsidize Longmeadow Fiber. Interest on the debt for twenty years approximates $4.6 million, making the property tax subsidy $13.2 million.
Surprised? The Fiber Task Force in 2024 said projected revenue would cover debt service. The Select Board did not mention a property tax subsidy at the November 2024 Town Meeting when the last fiber Article was passed. The Finance Committee (“FC”) voted on April 6, to not recommend Article #7 by 6-1 due to major concerns and unanswered questions. The FC is six financial professionals with a fiduciary and fiscal role for the Town.
Vote was after over an hour with the Select Board (“SB”) and Town Management and an additional two hours with the Finance Manager.
LETTERS
Most significant FC findings – page #20 of the Warrant: 4. It was unclear who will bear the risk of the debt, the taxpayer, or some other entity. 6. The Town will be voluntarily violating its debt policy without sufficient or emergency justification which may impact future borrowing.
7. At the time of the finance committee vote the financial model had not been fully vetted and finalized, this should have been a requirement for moving the warrant forward.
Bonds will be issued carrying the statutory backing of property taxes to cover shortfalls in revenue to service the additional $17.9 million of bonds to be issued.
In its September 5, 2025, debt rating Standard & Poor’s expressed concern that Longmeadow’s projected debt metrics will fall well below those of comparably rated peers and could become increasingly so.
S&P did not consider the $17.9 million of fiber debt that
is completely dependent on subscribers and riskier than property taxes or water and sewer revenues of the Town.
The financial model and its assumptions are the basis of the fiber project and have significantly changed three times in the past twelve weeks which has raised concerns with the Finance Committee.
Initial model, $30 million of debt in December. SB was told the financing was against Mass State Laws and verified by the Finance Manager on March 23.
Two additional models, $27 million and $8.6 million supported by property taxes for the initial phase.
• Remove the property tax subsidy, make fiber supported by subscribers as originally planned and other communities are doing.
• Assess the impact of $27 million of fiber debt on debt ratings, a potential downgrade and increased interest expenses for all future borrowings.
• Consider debt capacity and ability for citizens to afford $27 million of fiber debt, $96 million of school debt and a $225 million four-year capital budget.
Citizens are stressed finan
cially given current economic conditions, especially the 35% of residents that are 65 and over, many living on fixed incomes.
VOTE NO on Article #7 –the Town cannot afford additional debt, financial risk and burden on taxpayers.
The Finance Committee has significant concerns and issues.
Hampden
Continued from page 8
High School and is estimated at $14,210. The cost for an SRO is shared between Hampden and Wilbraham.
Article 12 is a vote to authorize the payment of any departmental bills for FY25 or previous fiscal years. State law states that expenses of a prior fiscal year can only be paid upon approval by a voter majority of 90%.
Community Preservation Committee projects will be voted on in Article 13 for an estimate of $65,000. The projects include the rehabilitation of Niccum Field and the purchase of the 18.36-acre land plot, Minnechaug Mountain.
Article 14 gives residents a chance to repeal the Community Preservation Act, which was adopted in 2001 and adds a 1%
Tom Shea Longmeadow
Vote yes on Article 7
On Tuesday, May 12, Longmeadow will vote to strengthen our town’s finances and give residents stronger, cheaper internet options by approving a measure to bring municipal fiber to Longmeadow. I am writing to urge my fellow residents to support this measure, and to be wary of the well-funded, industry-backed campaign that is trying to convince Longmeadow voters to oppose municipal fiber.
When the town first voted to kickstart its Municipal Fiber Task Force a few years ago, I was amazed to see how many town residents spoke passionately in favor of municipal fiber. Many residents of Longmeadow work from home or run small businesses in town, and they rely on strong and consistent internet access. Yet one after another, residents told stories of the high prices they have paid to national providers, only to get internet speeds well below what was promised.
Like other towns across the country, our dependence on the internet to do our work and manage our lives also made us dependent on a handful of big businesses who often take us for granted. That means high prices and low quality service. Just last year, Comcast Xfinity increased its prices, slashed its discounts for customers using autopay, and shifted much of its customer service to AI-powered bots.
On May 12, we have a
surcharge to the tax bill. The surcharge is put toward qualifying projects that support housing, historic preservation, open space and recreation. The state matches funds to each municipality with the act. Residents must vote in majority to repeal the act and then vote again in favor in November.
The next two articles include property transactions, with Article 15 rescinding the appropriation for the purchase of 2.1-acres of land from the Minnechaug Land Trust, Inc. The purchase was approved at the Annual Town Meeting in 2024 under Article 6. The article requests $95,000 to be returned to the Community Preservation fund.
Article 16 looks to purchase 2.67-acres of land on North Road for the construction of a small parking area and trail head to provide access to hiking trails on Mount Vision. The project would cost $95,000 from the Communi-
chance to take matters into our own hands and invest in our town’s future. By making internet a Longmeadow public utility, we can run it in a way that meets the needs of town residents, not corporate shareholders. The service we’d partner with, South Hadley’s Fiberspring, has a track record of fast and reliable service with few outages. If you do have a problem, you’d be able to talk to a person down the road, not a chatbot.
It’s not surprising that the companies who stand to lose from this change are putting their money behind stopping municipal fiber. They’ve picked an innocuous name — “Mass Priorities” — and they’re sending representatives door-to-door with all kinds of claims about the downsides of town-controlled fiber. If you meet them or see their mailers, take a close look at who’s funding them: a Minnesota-based company that fights on behalf of credit card companies, big pharma, and national internet service providers. Municipal fiber won’t just improve our internet options: it provides an opportunity to invest in the rest of our town, too. The initial monthly charges to customers will cover the cost of providing service and the town’s start-up costs. Down the road, as construction costs are paid off, we can decrease customer monthly costs or use revenue to pay for other community projects. Instead of generating profits for big businesses, we can profit a little ourselves.
Julie Margetta Morgan Longmeadow
ty Preservation fund.
Article 17 is a bylaw amendment and would make the new Town Hall the primary location of Town Meeting warrants and remove the bulletin board outside the old Town House as a required posting location. Articles 18, 19 and 20 are financial transfers. Article 18 is to raise and appropriate around $10,000 to $25,000 to the Advisory Committee reserve fund, Article 19 is to put a sum of money into the general stabilization fund for future town expenses and Article 20 looks to reduce the tax levy for FY27. Voters have the option of using available funds to pay for the town’s operating expenses, which reduces the tax burden on residents for FY27. The estimated funding requests for Articles 19 and 20 have yet to be determined.
Scoreboard oozes traditional sports bar feel at every corner
By Ryan Feyre rfeyre@thereminder.com
AGAWAM — No matter the season, an avid sports fan such as myself usually spends their weekends on the lookout for the perfect spot to watch the game. There are very few things more exhilarating than experiencing the highs and lows of your favorite team with total strangers at a local spot. Heck, why spend hundreds of dollars on gas, parking and tickets, when you can capture a thrilling atmosphere five minutes away?
When I first walked into the newly renovated Scoreboard Bar & Grille in Agawam, I had a feeling the place could accomplish just that. Boston sports memorabilia graced every corner of the 15 King St. restaurant, TVs ran highlights of the prior night’s Boston Bruins and Boston Celtics playoff games, and the wooden rectangular bar invited guests to chat about their daily minutiae. Between the decorations and the exterior ambience generated by the Front Street rail crossing just outside, it truly felt like I was pregaming at a bar adjacent to Fenway Park.
Despite it being 3 p.m. on a random Tuesday, I could immediately sense the vibe the bar is going for. The owners’ sister bar, Murphy’s Pub on 664 Suffield St. in Agawam, has become a staple weekend gathering spot for those in Western Massachusetts who want drinks and a late-night bite while the big game is on. Although Scoreboard captures a similar sentiment, I noticed that the new renovations yielded much more space to walk around, and based on its location and compact menu, it appears the bar is trying to capture a chiller, more localized atmosphere.
Most of the food is standard bar fare. Handheld sandwiches, burgers and classic appetizers like mozzarella sticks grace the brief menu. I opted for a bacon cheeseburger and fries on my solo adventure, but patrons have the option of building the burger however way they want. My personal preference is a burger that‘s
cooked to medium, but the one I had at Scoreboard was essentially well-done. Still, I thought the charred fusion of blackened burger, crispy bacon and ooey-gooey American cheese in between a warm and slightly toasted brioche bun was enough to satiate my hunger, even if the taste profile’s uniformity didn’t elevate it to a higher status.
The fries, in my opinion, were the best part of my meal because they embodied that perfect blend of crispy and fluffy, while the seasoning accentuated the flavor without diminishing the core qualities of the side dish.
Like any good fry, it carried that addictive quality where, even when full, you don’t want to stop picking at them. Food aside, I do think Scoreboard’s strengths lie in its atmosphere and proximity to the Agawam and West Springfield border. They truly nail the traditional sports bar feel without relegating itself to a Murphy’s 2.0.
One day, I’ll have to visit on a Friday and Saturday night to really experience the local spot at its fullest capacity. Maybe by then the Red Sox are out of this early season slump.
ing some new programs to “keep the season fresh and engaging.”
This season will feature new speakers, events and collaborations with more local partners. Bourcier said she was most excited for a program in September on the Springfield Witch Trials, a lesser-known piece of regional history that predates the Salem Witch Trials by 40 years. The event is in collaboration with Springfield Museum Curator of History Elizabeth Kapp.
She added that the Hill Climb is always a special day because of how the town comes alive and gives the museum the opportunity to welcome people in and be a part of the energy on Main Street.
More information on The Old Meeting House Museum can be found at theohm.org and more information on the Hill Climb is at springfieldtoboston.com/wilbraham-hill-climb/.
The bacon cheeseburger and fries at Scoreboard Bar & Grille. Reminder Publishing photo by Ryan Feyre
Massachusetts Senate passes sweeping environmental bond bill
By Sarah Heinonen sheinonen@thereminder.com
The Massachusetts Senate recently voted 36-3 in favor of a $3.64 billion bill to address climate change, protect the state’s natural resources and make much needed infrastructure improvements across the state, including in Western Massachusetts.
State Sen. Jake Oliveira, who represents the Hampden, Hampshire and Worcester District explained that environmental bond bills, like the Mass Ready Act, are usually taken up by the Legislature every five years. A bond bill utilizes the state’s ability to take on debt to fund policy priorities and infrastructure. Massachusetts’ general obligation bond rating from Standard & Poor is AA+ and stable, which Oliveira said allows the state to borrow money at favorable interest rates and spread out costs over time.
“With the budget, we have to make sure the state keeps operating and moving forward,” said state Sen. Adam Gómez, who represents most of Springfield and
part of Chicopee. Therefore, he said, “With some of these bigger projects, the only way they’ll happen is with bond money.”
Because the state takes on these projects and policies once every few years, Oliveira said the Mass Ready Act is “a pretty intense bill.”
Water and sewer
Much of Oliveira’s work on the bill focused on clean water. He recalled the contaminated water situations that occurred in Flint, Michigan, from 2014-2025 and Jackson, Mississippi, in August 2022, and said those issues took a significant toll on the local economies, as well as impacting people’s health.
Many of the water and sewer lines in Massachusetts are about 100 years old and made of cast iron. Municipalities have slowly been replacing them with modern PVC pipes, but the projects are expensive. “It’s not just the pipes but it’s also filtration systems,” Oliveira said.
Oliveira said the Mass Ready Act also includes provisions that increase how much input Western Massachusetts towns have when it
comes to regional water supplies. Springfield and Ludlow, where Oliveira lives, both receive water from the Springfield Water and Sewer Commission. Additionally, the water for Agawam, Southwick, Longmeadow and East Longmeadow are treated by the SWSC. Further, the SWSC gets its water from the Little River Watershed in Blandford and Russell.
“A significant portion of the people who get their water through Springfield Water and Sewer Commission live outside the city,” he said. Oliveira filed an amendment to the bond bill that expanded the commission from three people to seven and guaranteed representation for area towns on the commission’s advisory committee.
Meanwhile, in Chicopee, South Hadley and Wilbraham, residents receive their water from Quabbin Reservoir through the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority. Oliveira said he fought to ensure a seat on the MWRA board is reserved for someone from Western Massachusetts.
“If you’re a rate payer, if your resources are being used, you deserve a seat at the table,” Oliveira said.
In addition to these changes, Oliveira said $5 million was allotted to help remediate the polychlorinated biphenyls, banned chemicals also known as PCBs, which were found in the Westfield River. Also in the bill is $4.5 million in a clean water trust, $15 million to filter water in schools and child care settings, and $120 million to filter perand polyfluoroalkyl substances, widely referred to as PFAS, from private drinking water wells.
A fund was created to replace channel markers in the Connecticut River near the Holyoke Dam,
and $20 million was provided to update the antiquated McLaughlin Fish Hatchery in Belchertown, which Oliveira has fond memories of visiting with his grandfather.
Air quality
While Oliveira was focused on clean water, state Sen. Adam Gómez had his sights set on clean air. He secured a $5 million amendment to the bill, establishing a pilot program to improve indoor air quality in schools, public housing, correctional facilities and other public spaces.
“For communities like mine in Springfield, this is not theoretical — it’s everyday life,” Gómez said in a press release. “This amendment is about something fundamental: the right of every person in the Commonwealth to breathe clean, safe air, no matter their zip code, income, or the condition of the building they live, learn, or work in.”
He later told Reminder Publishing, “This is an environmental justice issue. It’s a matter of dignity.”
Gómez said the air conditions at the Roderick L. Ireland Courthouse, which have long made employees sick and drove the state to build a new courthouse, was one of the main reasons he pursued the amendment. Another was Springfield’s Gerena School, which has seen similar issues linked to poor air quality.
“We’re still an asthma capital,” Gómez said about Springfield, which had the highest rates of asthma in the country in 2018 and 2019. He said, “Poor air quality contributes to asthma in communities along highways and train tracks,” a situation present in many neighborhoods in Springfield. Smog and pollutants settle in those
low-lying areas. He said, “That’s why you see these levels in Black and brown communities.”
Gómez previously filed a bill to establish a framework that will identify, monitor and remediate indoor air pollution and mold contamination in public buildings. He said it was the first program of its kind in Massachusetts. Gómez said, “It’s a preventative policy, but it will save money” in subsequent health care costs.
Other priorities
Among other Mass Ready Act provisions is one that bans single-use plastic bags from retail checkouts. Oliveira said the environmental impact of single-use plastics, which do not degrade over time, but instead break apart into microplastics, cannot be overstated. “These bags can get into drinking water,” he said, adding that they are ubiquitous. When participating in an Earth Day cleanup recently, he saw bags “go by like tumbleweeds.”
Oliveira said he did not receive any comments or emails in opposition to this change. He noted many municipalities have already adopted similar bans and supermarkets, like Big Y, provide paper bags at a minimal cost, or otherwise incentivize people to bring reusable bags.
Three million dollars would be used to address a levee on Riverside Drive in Springfield, which Gómez said has caused sinkholes, while $1 million would go to fix a road in Blunt Park that Gómez described as “dilapidated.”
Over the past decade, the PFAS in firefighter equipment have been identified as a cause of cancers
See BOND BILL on page 16
Springfield Pride unveils plans for fifth annual event
By Peter Tuohy ptuohy@thereminder.com
SPRINGFIELD — What began as a vision for a community celebration five years ago is now gearing up for one of its biggest weekends yet. The Springfield Pride Parade Weekend is back from June 4-6.
To celebrate the organization’s impact and unveil plans for this year’s events, Springfield Pride Parade Organization Executive Director Taurean Bethea was joined by Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno, Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer Judi Crowell and Division of Health and Human Services Commissioner Helen Caulton-Harris on April 30.
The Springfield Pride Parade Organization is a nonprofit dedicated to expanding access to leadership development, workforce readiness and opportunity for young people across Springfield. Bethea began the organization in 2017 after a hate comment on social media about his assumed sexual orientation resonated with him.
The organization’s website has a quote from Bethea stating, “At the time, I was a closeted gay Black male, not because of shame, but because coming out as a gay Black male can be life threatening, even in the 21st century … on Oct. 17, 2017, three days after my 33rd birthday, I decided to stand with those, young and old, that may have had something that should be celebrated and encouraged framed in hate. I decided to commit my life to helping individuals be unapologetically who they are.”
The parade weekend aims to be a community-driven movement of support, inclusivity and public recognition to “remind our LGBTQIA+ youth that they are safe, they are loved and they are not alone,” according to the website.
“I’m super excited about this year,” Bethea said. “Pride is bigger than just one day, you know, pride is community, pride is access to health care, to just things that a lot of what our youth need here. We’re
not just celebrating color and enjoying the fun, we’re celebrating lives that we’re seeing everyday.”
The weekend kicks off in front of Springfield City Hall on Thursday, June 4, with a flag raising and a Credit for Life session, which informs youth on life skills like applying to college, finding a job, saving and budgeting.
The main event on Friday, June 5, introduces something a little more fun, according to Bethea, with a “Pride Strikes Charity Bowling” event.
The parade steps off at noon on Saturday, June 6, beginning on the Springfield Technical Community College campus and marching to Stearns Square for the annual block party.
“I’m so excited that this is our fifth year, I cannot believe it,” Bethea said. “Our theme this year is ‘Beyond the Rainbow,’ which means we are going beyond just celebrating one day; it’s a year round effort.”
Sarno said that when the parade began, he received calls, emails and letters from some people who may have been against it, but that the backlash has significantly declined over the past five years. He added that over 5,000 people celebrated it for the first year, making it one of the biggest celebrations in the state.
“You still have haters out there, for whatever reason, but we have to show them that love, respect and pride are going to champion,” Sarno said.
Crowell said she looks forward to this event every year and said that everybody needs a place to go where they don’t feel left out, and that’s what this initiative is.
Caulton-Harris began by thanking Sarno for making sure Springfield is an inclusive city and was proud to have him as a boss before expressing her appreciation for Bethea and his movement.
“I have such a great affection for this young man, who took a risk, came home and said ‘I am going to create something so that all
of the individuals in our city feel seen,’ and he has done that,” Harris said. “Taurean, I am so incredibly proud of you.”
Harris told the story of Carl Walker Hoover, a Springfield Public Schools sixth grader who died by suicide in 2009 after relentless bullying by other students who told Hoover that he was “acting gay” on a daily basis. She said that Bethea’s efforts to reach out to students in school through the IGNITE and Future Sparks youth programs has given them a voice, a place and have allowed them to be seen.
“I am so incredibly proud that we have stopped, through [Bethea’s] efforts and our ability to fund, our many children from feeling isolated, hopeless, powerless,” Harris said. “Taurean Bethea has made that difference in Springfield.”
The Springfield Pride Parade Organization is also calling for all musicians, dancers, drag artists and all other performers to help bring the energy and power of pride to life in Springfield for the block party by submitting a consideration form at SpringfieldPrideParade.org/Pride5. Vendors, partners or parade participants can also apply on the same page.
Donations to the organization can also be made on the website.
Springfield Pride Parade Organization Executive Director Taurean Bethea unveils plans at City Hall for fifth annual parade weekend. Reminder Publishing photo by Peter Tuohy
Republicans rally in Worcester, hoping to ‘expand the tents’
By Katie Castellani and Ella Adams State House News Service
BOSTON — Before the Republican Party convention slowed to a crawl during voting for the top of the ticket late in the afternoon of April 25, Republican delegates officially nominated three candidates for statewide seats by acclamation because they faced no intraparty opposition: John Deaton for U.S. Senate, Elizabeth Dionne for treasurer and Michael Walsh for attorney general.
“We are rebuilding the Massachusetts Republican Party from the ground up, competing and winning its seats on school districts, boards of health and select boards. We are reaching out to younger voters, minority populations, independents and disaffected Democrats who share our values,” MassGOP Chair Amy Carnevale said, kicking off the party convention at Worcester’s DCU Center.
By the afternoon, delegates grew restless as the convention ran behind schedule and voting for lieutenant governor remained open for longer than anticipated. The announcement of votes cast by county in the endorsement of candidate for lieutenant governor ended just after 4:30 p.m. Guber-
natorial candidates Brian Shortsleeve, Mike Kennealy and Mike Minogue had not yet spoken to the convention and voting in that contest had not begun.
“You see this work represented here today in our candidates — all are welcome as we expand the tents of the MassGOP,” Carnevale continued in her morning remarks. “While we have been building our bench, hard line Democrats who rule Beacon Hill behind closed doors with secrecy and, too often, an iron fist, continue to ignore average citizens who are struggling to get by.”
Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr of Gloucester and Grafton Rep. David Muradian co-chaired the convention, where almost 2,400 delegates registered to participate, according to the party.
Deaton, a Marine veteran and attorney, earned the party’s endorsement unusually early in November, and on April 25, accepted the nomination as the GOP’s candidate for U.S. Senate. He lost his last run for the U.S. Senate, to Elizabeth Warren in 2024, and in the fall will face the victor of a Democratic primary that includes incumbent Sen. Ed Markey, U.S. Rep. Seth Moulton and Alex Rikleen.
“I’m not running to push ideology on anyone. People aren’t
looking for ideology. They’re looking for someone to help solve their problems,” Deaton told a rowdy crowd.
The News Service caught up with Deaton during the convention. He noted earning the party’s endorsement early allows him more time to get his message to voters — particularly independents and “disenfranchised” Democrats, he said.
“We’ve got a one-party rule here for a long time. Give somebody else a shot,” Deaton said, adding that single-party rule leads to “arrogance and corruption and people believing they don’t have to answer and be accountable to the people they serve.”
If sent to Washington D.C., which is currently controlled by Republicans, Deaton said he’d work outside the supermajority to advocate for Massachusetts residents. He has also been open about not voting for fellow Republicans across the country.
“I don’t care who the president is, because I’m going to do that simple test. Is it good in Massachusetts, in America? If it is, I support it. It isn’t, I don’t support it,” Deaton said.
Dionne, attorney and former chair of the Belmont Select Board, spent much of her time on the convention stage railing current Treasurer Deb Goldberg, who is running for a fourth term.
“Incumbent Deb Goldberg has failed us. It is time to clean up her cronyism, chaos and corruption,” she said.
“She is so unpopular in her own party,” Dionne said of Goldberg. “I have Democrats gathering signatures for me right now. They want her out. This is a winnable race because it’s not partisan. Who’s going to argue with running a clean, transparent office that returns more money to cities and towns? As a local official, we’re dying from lack of local aid.”
A spokesperson for Goldberg
did not immediately respond to the News Service’s request for a response to Dionne’s comment.
To a cheering crowd, Dionne said her first act as treasurer would be auditing all 12 departments within the Treasury. Dionne also said she would work to send more local aid to municipalities in the face of the state’s affordability crisis.
“In the same way that Diana DiZoglio has raised people’s understanding of the auditor and how important that is, I’m doing the same thing for the treasurer’s office,” Dionne added. Lynnfield lawyer Michael Walsh also earned the nomination for attorney general and is expected to face incumbent Democrat Andrea Campbell in the fall. Walsh has been involved with the ongoing dispute of the 2024 voter law that enabled the state auditor to audit the Legislature.
Incumbent Auditor Diana
Bond Bill
Continued from page 14
among fire personnel that are otherwise rare. The bill set aside $25 million to help departments replace the expensive equipment with new, safer versions.
Another fund was created to help with reforestation to address
DiZoglio, a Democrat, has been feuding with Campbell over implementation of the voter-approved law since 72% of voters passed it in 2024. The two Democrats have been tied up in a legal battle for months, and DiZoglio has garnered bipartisan support for her efforts to implement the audit.
“I’m mad as hell that we don’t have an audit and I think you are too,” Walsh said during his convention speech. “I will be a people’s lawyer. We will wage a ruthless war on fraud and waste and abuse, starting with that audit.”
There are no Republican candidates for secretary of state or state auditor. Katie Castellani and Ella Adams are reporters for the State House News Service and State Affairs Massachusetts. Reach them at kcastellani@statehousenews.com and ella.adams@statehousenews.com.
the dead and dying trees left in the wake of a gypsy moth infestation nearly a decade ago. Beyond the aesthetic value of trees, Oliveira said they help cool communities, and one tree provides a person with a year’s worth of oxygen.
Now that the bill has passed in the Senate, it moves to the state House of Representatives for review.
People walk the halls of the DCU Center in Worcester at the Massachusetts GOP Convention on April 25.
State House News Service photo by Ella Adams
Hampden election ballot finalized with two contested races
By Peter Tuohy ptuohy@thereminder.com
HAMPDEN — Hampden’s annual town election is coming up fast on May 18 and the ballot has been finalized, showing two contested races.
Town Clerk Eva Wiseman said that voters should know that the polling location is at the town’s new Town Hall, 85 Wilbraham Road. All future elections will be held at this location and polls open at 7 a.m.
The race for Hampden representatives in the Hampden-Wilbraham Regional School District School Committee has two familiar faces. School Committee
Articles
Continued from page 8
ward building improvements from the solid waste enterprise retained earnings.
Article 27 covers the community preservation program budget. It will see if the town will vote to appropriate or reserve from the annual revenues and fund balance for Community Preservation Committee administrative and operating costs for $25,000, historic preservation, community housing and open space reserves for $65,116 each and undesignated reserves for $455,809, which may be awarded to open space, housing, historic and recreation projects. Each item is to be considered a separate appropriation.
Articles 28-32 are Community Preservation Act projects, each taking amounts from the balances of various community preservation funds.
Article 28 uses $9,900 to repair and reset 22 historic grave sites and monuments in Adam’s Cemetery, Article 29 improves McLaughlin Softball Field and adds dugouts and outfield fencing for $60,500, Articles 30 and 31 add perimeter fencing around play spaces for $50,000 and replaces playground equipment for $120,550 at Soule Road Elementary School and Article 32
member Rich Rediker is up for reelection on a three-year term and is challenged by former School Committee member Maura Ryan. Rediker originally served a term in the 1990’s and rejoined the committee in 2023, filling Ryan’s seat after she decided not to seek another term.
The Planning Board also has a contested race for a five-year term between John Quackenbush and Robert Howarth. Both are newcomers in this election and Howarth is the caucus nominee.
Selectboard Chair John D. Flynn is running uncontested for reelection on a three-year term. Flynn has a long history with the Selectboard, being the third gen-
looks at replacing and upgrading the heating system at Memorial School for $440,000.
Bylaw amendments begin with Article 36, looking to see if the town will adopt certain organizational amendments to the general bylaws. The changes would be assigning a chapter and article number to each bylaw, renumbering and recaptioning each section of each bylaw, interesting chapter, article, section and subsection titles and updating internal references to reflect the new system.
Article 38 looks to do the same as Article 36 but with the zoning bylaws instead of the general bylaws. Articles 39 seeks to modernize the zoning bylaw language, correct inconsistencies and typographical errors, correct outdated names of state agencies and to align the bylaw with current state law.
Article 40 adds language to the zoning bylaw to provide one offstreet parking space to all accessory dwelling units, except those within half a mile of a transit station. Accessory dwelling units are smaller residential living spaces on the same lot as another home and must have a dedicated kitchen, bathroom and entrance.
Article 41 deletes the current language of Section 110 of the general bylaws, “grant or renewal of licenses as affected by non-payment of local taxes, fees,
eration to serve after his father and grandfather.
Richard Green is uncontested in his reelection as town moderator. He was reelected in 2025 to a one-year term and presides over Town Meeting.
The Board of Assessors has one seat open for a three-year term and incumbent Robert Makuch is looking to stick around. He runs uncontested.
Assessors are required by law to list and value all real and personal town property, commit motor vehicle excise taxes, administer the agricultural, recreational and forestry tax programs, process exemptions and abatements, maintain a mapping system for
etc.,” and replaces it entirely.
The explanation states that based on this bylaw, ”the Select Board, or any Wilbraham licensing authority, may deny any application for, or revoke or suspend a building permit, or any local license or permit including renewals and transfers issued by any board, officer, department for any person, corporation or business enterprise, who has neglected or refused to pay any local taxes, fees, assessments, betterments or any other municipal charges.”
Article 42 is a petitioned article surrounding a public shade tree bylaw, enhancing the protection of public shade trees under Chapter 87 of state law. It involves that no public shade tree shall be cut, trimmed or removed without a written permit from the tree warden and that a public hearing is required for removal.
A significant tree, one over
assessment purposes and maintain a computer-based inventory of property records for all land, buildings and businesses.
Library Trustee Jean Hall is the single candidate for the Library Board of Trustees, seeking reelection to a three-year term. The board is the governing body for the Hampden Free Public Library, responsible for things like library policy and overseeing the budget each year.
Darryl Fidalgo also seeks reelection on a three-year term in the Cemetery Commission. The commission is responsible for the upkeep and management of Old Cemetery on Chaplin Road and Prospect Hill Cemetery on
50-years old with a trunk diameter of 18 inches, must not be removed unless a finding of immediate public safety risk or unavoidable infrastructure necessity. Healthy trees may not be
Scantic Road. There are two seats open for park commissioners with Commissioner Julie Wickman seeking reelection. The second seat is open to write-in candidates. The commission serves the purpose of providing the town with “efficient, effective and ethical supervision and management of all areas under their jurisdiction,” according to the town website. It strives to maintain, manage and improve all town parks and recreational facilities.
The final race is for the Housing Authority with member Carol Collins looking to serve another five-year term.
removed as well unless they pose a safety risk verified by the tree warden and any removed tree must be replaced at the same rate. Unauthorized removal incurs a fine of up to $500 per tree.
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.
Richard A. Narkiewicz
CHICOPEE
Marian A. “Pookie” Champigny (Sousa)
James E. Czerwiecki
Margaret Ann McClure Deitz
Levis J. P. Drapeau
Yvette Harrington
Claire Y. Henault
Jeannine M. Martell
John D. McClure
Orminda M. Oliveira (Do Souto)
Gregory J. Pray Sr.
Fletcher D. Ramsey
Jean J. Sullivan
EAST LONGMEADOW
Marcia M. Kessler
Lynn Ann O’Connor
HOLYOKE
Agustin Rivera Coldero
Christine A. Dearborn
Richard A. Desgres
Kevin Lukasiewicz
LONGMEADOW
Brian C. Edgerly
Stephan John Wilfred Platzer
LUDLOW
Dennis M. Daviau
Sandra Lee Kulig
Annette M. Polansky
Alan John Vautrain
SOUTH HADLEY
Susan E. Donais
Dorothy N. Schenker
SPRINGFIELD
Luigina A. Barbieri
Jacob Barnard
Rose M. Dennis
Roger Arthur Dziuban
Sr. Master Sergeant James
Paul Kiser McLaughlin
Joanne Elizabeth Moran
Thomas C. O’Sullivan
George E. Sampson
WILBRAHAM
Beverly J. Chiarizio
Joan Davis
Ursula Whyte “Wendy” Gibb
James E. “Jim” Wilkinson Sr.
SENIOR LIVING OPTIONS IN WESTERN MASSACHUSETTS
Presented by the Retirement Marketing Directors Association of Western Massachusetts
EAST VILLAGE PLACE
RIVER MILLS ASSISTED LIVING
GLENMEADOW
THE OBJECTIVE OF THE RMDA
We gather our talents and resources to better educate and inform the general public, families and professionals about senior communities in Western Massachusetts. In a cooperative spirit, we to better present our individual communities in a clear and unified manner to simplify the selection process.
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AL, MC – Assisted Living with Memory Impaired Care gives your loved one with Alzheimer's or other dementia 24-hour supervision and days filled with activities and care by professionally trained staff.
CCRC – Continuing Care Retirement Communities provide independent living, plus additional services such as assisted living & skilled nursing care. A CCRC is an environment where a person can secure additional care and services on an “as needed” basis.
LC – Lifecare Communities offer the continuum of options, independent
assisted living (with memory care) and skilled nursing. The initial set rate remains constant even if the resident’s needs change.
infielders (L-R) Sean Krol, Colin Maruca, Gavin Chmura and Nick Rocca look on as reliever Mason Ruel warms up.
Minnechaug’s
On April 25, Minnechaug defeated East Longmeadow 3-0 in
East Longmeadow’s Gavin Chmura dives safely back to first base on the Minnechaug pick-off attempt.
Spartans third baseman Sean Krol dives in vain trying to tag Minnechaug’s Gavin O’Neil.
Alex Savlick reacts as Minnechaug teammate Frank Morin reaches first base.
Landyn Eldridge catches the sinking line drive to end the game
