While the inches recorded snow that fell in the city this winter was average, the number of plowable events was the reason snow and ice removal costs are over $1 million over last year’s cost.
Page 3
SOUTHWICK
Southwick library brings history to life with three events in April
The Southwick Public Library will host three events in April, one of which will teach about the “Dangerous Art of Chainsaw Sculpture.”
Page 4
DINING & ENTERTAINMENT
Forbes Library hosts fiber arts exhibit by The Fiberistas
Nine women have put their heart and soul — and thread — into a fiber art exhibit, “Bits and Pieces.”
Page 9
Inmate reentry facility will not open in Westfield
By Namu Sampath nsampath@repub.com
WESTFIELD — An inmate reentry program that was slated to open in Westfield this summer is instead being discontinued, its operator, Community Resources for Justice, said on April 9.
The decision comes after residents protested its planned location on Southampton Road, saying the site was too close to two elementary schools. This week, the city’s School Committee unanimously voted on a motion in opposition to the facility, stating it posed an “unacceptable safety risk” to the community due to its location.
Through a structured program that emphasizes account-
ability, employment and stability, the facility was meant for people who already would be reentering their communities from prison, said Deborah O’Brien, president of Community Resources for Justice, of Boston.
The program had planned to relocate from West Springfield. It is authorized by Massachusetts Probation Services. The organization is now seeking another way to continue its mission of providing state-authorized residential reentry programming.
What is an inmate reentry program?
A state law called the Dover Amendment allows specific programs to bypass local approval.
That is how the organiza-
tion was able to purchase a former day care center on Southampton Road, less than a mile from two elementary schools: Southampton Road Elementary School, a K-through-grade 4 school, and Westfield Intermediate School, a school for fifth- and sixth-graders.
The facility would have housed up to 34 men and six women in a 8,400-square-foot building that used to be a day care for between three and six months. The facility was slated to have a kitchen and dining areas, laundry facilities, lounges and meeting rooms.
Parents and neighbors argued the location was the problem, not the program itself. The superintendent of Westfield Public
Schools had previously said the facility’s location would “negatively impact” the district.
Brittany Cortis, one of the parents who organized weekly protests against the location of the facility, told a reporter Thursday she was “very thankful” the organization took residents’ concerns seriously.
“The safety of our kids was really important and also this will be better for the populations they are aiming to help with their program,” she said. “This is beneficial for both sides.”
O’Brien, president of Community Resources for Justice, said construction at the site had
Brittany Cortis, center left, organized the protest in Westfield on Wednesday to show dislike towards the proposed relocation of a re-entry program. March 11, 2026.
Photo credit: Douglas Hook
See REENTRY on page 2
Operations Director: Curtis Panlilio
Executive Editor: Chris Maza
Managing Editors: Dennis Hackett, Ryan Feyre
Staff Writers: Sarah Heinonen, Deb Gardner, Amy Porter, Trent Levakis, Cliff Clark, Tyler Garnet, Peter Tuohy
Graphic Design Manager: Beth Thurber
Graphic Design Department: Leigh Catchepaugh, Lorie Perry, Sophia McClellan, Susan Bartlett, Jim Johnson-Corwin, Molly Arnio
Sales Manager: Scott Greene
Account Executives: Matt Mahaney, Paula Dimauro, Lisa Nolan, Jeanette Grenier, Paul Poutre, Andy Shaw, Laura Tassistro
Classified Account Managers:
Roxanne Miller-Longtin, Evan Marcyoniak, Shannon Spada
Sales Support: Carolyn Napolitan
Financial Department: Nancy Banning
STRM: Revitalize CDC’s #GreenNFit Day returns
By Dennis Hackett dhackett@thereminder.com
SPRINGFIELD — Volunteers from all around the area and beyond will work on restoring homes by participating in Revitalize Community Development Corporation’s #GreenNFit Day on April 25.
On the latest episode of “So That Reminds Me” hosts Tyler Garnet and Ryan Feyre sat down with Revitalize CDC’s President and CEO Colleen Shanley-Loveless and Vice President of Community Engagement Ethel Griffin to talk about Revitalize CDC’s #GreenNFit Day on April 25.
Shanley-Loveless explained that Revitalize CDC was founded as an all-volunteer organization in 1992. When Shanley-Loveless was hired in 2009, the organization went from all volunteers with a budget of under $100,000 to growing “significantly” with a staff of 20, now. She said that Revitalize CDC’s work initially began with home repairs.
“The board of directors had realized there was such an overwhelming need in the community, so we focused on doing home repairs, modifications and rehabilitation on the homes of low-income families with children,” she said. “It could be veterans, seniors and people with special needs.”
Currently, Revitalize CDC has a nutrition program, a healthy homes program and a digital equity and navigation program.
“Once people become a part of it, they don’t leave. We have a 24-member board and just yes-
SPRINGFIELD — The Hampden District Attorney’s Office will host the 10th Annual Hoop Up Springfield Job Fair & Basketball Tournament on April 20 at American International College. The free event will run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and is open to youth ages 11 to 18.
Hoop Up Springfield is a day-long event focused on connecting young people with summer job opportunities, educational resources, and positive activities, while also providing a safe and welcoming environment for youth from across Hampden County.
Participants will have the opportunity to apply for summer jobs, tour the AIC campus and sports complex, participate in skills and drills led by AIC student athletes, take part in a cheerleading clinic and compete in a three-on-three basketball tournament. Breakfast and lunch will be provided for registered participants.
Employers currently scheduled to participate in the job fair include Pho Saigon, YMCA of Greater Springfield, Performance Foodservice, Westaff, Valley Opportunity Council, New North Citizens Council, Big Y Foods, New England Public Me-
Reentry
Continued from page 1
terday another organization came to our office and said, ‘we would like to place somebody on our board,’” Shanley-Loveless said.
Revitalize CDC’s #GreenNFit Day, which takes place the last weekend in April, is a day when the organization and its volunteers gather to work on homes in different parts of the city.
Beginning in 2013, Shanley-Loveless said the program moved to the Old Hill neighborhood, where volunteers worked on almost 200 homes each #GreenNFit Day for the next seven years before moving into the North End after a COVID-19 related pause.
“We have 20 homes this year, we are kind of spread out across the city — East Springfield, Mason Square area. We’re also going to do a spring cleanup on the Boys and Girls on Carew Street, and then we’re also going to be working on the Boys and Girls Club Family Center, which is on Acorn Avenue,” she said.
Griffin said the planning process for the next year begins a week after each #GreenNFit Day.
“We’ll start back with the planning process for the following year, determining where we are going to be; we’ll determine the application process for them. It’s a good thing we don’t wait to the last minute,” she said.
Griffin said the event goes on rain or shine. Each year, she said the American International College, Springfield College and Western New England University football teams participate. Shanley-Loveless added that the event receives support from businesses,
dia, Eastern States Exposition, the United States Army, Springfield Police Cadet Program, the Springfield Boys & Girls Club, Tech Foundry, city of Springfield Department Parks, Buildings and Recreation Management and Six Flags New England. Additional employers may be added as the event approaches. Employers interested in participating in the Hoop Up Springfield job fair are encouraged to contact Hampden District Attorney’s Office Deputy Director of Community Safety & Outreach Gina Anselmo at gina. anselmo@mass.gov.
District Attorney Anthony D. Gulluni said the event is designed to give young people opportunities, exposure and positive experiences that can help shape their future.
“This event brings a lot of different parts of the community together for our young people. They get the chance to play, meet employers, see a college campus and spend the day in a positive environment. We are grateful to American International College and all of the employers who are giving their time and resources to support the youth in our community,” Gulluni said.
American International College President Nicole Cestero said
already slowed. The organization recently held meaningful conversations with city officials and community members, O’Brien said. While there was support for the mission of the program, residents were concerned.
“(Community Resources for Justice) looks forward to working with the City of Westfield to find an appropriate use of the property, which will provide new jobs and revenue to Westfield,” O’Brien said in the statement.
On social media, Westfield Mayor Michael McCabe said he was “proud and relieved” that the organization was pulling out of
churches, other schools and people “from Maine to Florida.” She added that the volunteers love showing up each year for the event.
“It’s a really diverse group
of volunteers all coming together. I remember one time a volunteer said, ‘You get more from this than you’re actually giving
the college is proud to continue its partnership with the Hampden District Attorney’s Office.
“We are honored to partner with DA Gulluni’s office to provide a safe, welcoming space where youth can enjoy the tournament, explore summer job opportunities and begin to imagine themselves as students at a college like AIC. It’s also rewarding for our student athletes who appre-
the facility in his city.
“Thank you to all of the residents who championed the safety of our children and families who would have been directly impacted by the location of this facility, we could not have done this without your diligence,” he said.
“Together, we are always better.”
McCabe also thanked local state representation. In a statement on April 9,
ciate the chance to contribute to this impactful community event.” Hoop Up Springfield is free for registered participants. For more information, including registration and event schedule details, go to the Facebook event page: facebook.com/share/1BSMKgwX4y/, or contact the Community Safety and Outreach Unit at gina.anselmo@mass.gov.
Hampden Sheriff Nicholas Cocchi said he was pleased to see that residents’ concerns were heeded.
“This location was not the right fit for a residential re-entry facility,” Cocchi said. “When I visited the protesters a few weeks ago, they made it clear that they supported the services but were firmly opposed to this particular site. Today’s announcement reflects that feedback.”
Local employers connect with students during the job fair portion of the 2025 Hoop Up Springfield at American International College, offering summer job opportunities and career guidance. Businesses are encouraged to sign up
Reminder Publishing submitted photo
Volunteers of a previous Revitalize CDC #GreenNFit Day. Reminder Publishing submitted photos See GREENNFIT on page 5
By Cliff Clark cclark@thereminder.com
WESTFIELD — While the inches of recorded snow that fell in the city this winter was average, the number of plowable events was the reason snow and ice removal costs are over $1 million over last year’s cost.
“This year, the city’s snow and ice expenses are $2.73 million,” said DPW Director Randy Brown.
For comparison, he said last year’s costs were $1.64 million, and the year before totaled $1.2 million.
“There may be a few more bills rolling in over the next few weeks before we close the books on this budget item, so it may go up a little,” Brown added.
Mayor Michael McCabe acknowledged the increase, but said, “Of course, there’s nothing you can do that’s going to control the weather.”
According to the National Weather Service, the average snowfall in Westfield is 43.2 inches. This year, 41.5 inches fell throughout the city.
But it’s not the amount that fell that’s driving the costs up.
“We had a total of 15 plowable events this year, plus additional efforts to clean up downtown after the big event in January,” Brown said.
The largest expense was the private contractors hired to clear the 190 miles of streets and roads the DPW actively maintains at a cost of $1.735 million.
McCabe said some of the contractors told the city before winter set in that they might not be available because of several years of unprofitable seasons.
“So, now all of a sudden you’re in this incredibly profitable season, and you don’t have people with the right trucks … fortunately enough for us, we were able to get all the contracts
in place by the end of October and early November through our procurement process, so we had enough,” the mayor said.
Brown said the contractors pushed snow at the city’s schools, the Westfield-Barnes Regional Airport and City Hall.
McCabe said a lot of residents don’t understand all the costs involved in clearing the streets.
“There’s overtime for clearing the bridges. And the more sidewalks you put in, obviously, the more you have to clean,” he said.
Overtime costs are so far at $200,395, with salt and deicer costs at $518,066, and fuel costs at $186,420, according to Brown.
Other miscellaneous expenses like parts, supplies, equipment repairs, radios and police added another $91,472 to the total.
McCabe said, like previ-
ous years, the costs of snow and ice removal are covered by free cash.
Brown said he was “grateful” to the DPW crews and the contractors for their hard work,
professionalism, and long hours they put in this winter season.
“Their dedication shows and reflects a strong commitment to serving our community,” he said.
Students consider future financing challenges at Credit for Life
By Amy Porter aporter@thereminder.com
WESTFIELD — As students from area high schools made their way around the booths at Credit for Life, set up in the Westfield High School gymnasium on April 8, they grappled with how they would manage their future finances as 25-year-olds in their chosen careers. Most found the exercise to be worthwhile.
Gateway Regional students Theodore Deangelis of Russell, Bow Briggs of Chester and Justin Ruclu of Huntington explained that when they first got to Credit or Life, they were given a credit score in the low-to-mid 600s, with a chance to take a quiz and improve their scores.
Deangelis explained that a score of 650 was the minimum needed to rent a place.
“It’s a pretty good interaction. I can apply for a part-time job and get a car,” he said.
Eliza Mueller of Russell and Lily Peloquin of Huntington, also from Gateway, found it very informative. “Helps us plan for our future,” they said, saying they were learning about car payments, loan payments, buying a house and getting a second job. “It’s good to know what’s coming.”
Kate Perez, WHS math supervisor, served on the organizing committee along with Patricia Healy, WHS counselor, Melissa Taylor of Beacon Bank and Linda
Saltus, a retired finance professional. She said Credit for Life is beneficial to the students who go through the whole fair and visit all the booths.
“Students pick a career, get a sheet with monthly income, and fill out needed expenses. The goal is to have money left over at the end of the month and hopefully have some savings. They want to end with a positive number. Even a negative number teaches them something,” Perez said.
Ryan Evans, who is enrolled in electrical wiring at Westfield Technical Academy, said he chose an electrician as his career, making $3,600 a month. He said when he first arrived, he received a credit score of 642 and went to get housing, but the score was too low. He took the quiz and raised it to 750.
“Going around, I realize how much money it really is. I’m already in debt, and all my stuff isn’t filled out yet. I might have to cut down on costs, or get a part-time job to afford it,” Evans said.
Lindsey McLaughlin of Tighe & Bond and Lisa Murray of OMG Building Products, LLC were stationed at the Housing booth. They found the students to be very engaged, friendly and respectful.
“One kid actually asked me, ‘How come rent is more expensive than what my parents pay on mortgage,’ ” said McLaughlin. Murray said the parents probably bought their house a long time ago.
Southwick Regional business
and computer science teacher Melissa Trzasko said she has been attending Credit for Life for five years with her students. “This is phenomenal for the kids to go through. You can teach as much as you want to in class — this reinforces the concepts.”
Her students, Paige Stopa and Ella Anderson, agreed. “This is what we’re learning in class and how it plays out in real life, so we know what to expect,” Anderson said.
“It’s seeing how everything is like your parents tell you, first hand,” said Stopa. Joshua Elmer, who studies
collision technology at WTA, said he chose welding as a career that earned $3,001 monthly income. He also got a part-time job. “I’ve learned how to get car insurance —
Westfield DPW trucks line up on their way to clear streets during a snow event this past winter.
Reminder Publishing photo by Marc St. Onge.
Gateway Regional students Theodore Deangelis, Bow Briggs and Justin Ruclu navigate future finances at the Credit for
By Cliff Clark cclark@thereminder.com
SOUTHWICK — When the Southwick Planning Board approved the minor modification of a stormwater permit for the property at 159 Berkshire Ave., the board chair hoped the years-long dispute between the town and property owner was over.
It’s not.
“I’ve been in conversation with Dick Grannells about this, and we talked about filing a [Request for Determination of Applicability] because we need to get something on paper,” Conservation Commissioner Dennis Clark said during the Conservation Commission’s meeting on April 6.
Clark was referring to Richard Grannells, the chair of the Lake Management Committee,
By Cliff Clark cclark@thereminder.com
SOUTHWICK — The Southwick Public Library will host three events in April, one of which will teach about the “Dangerous Art of Chainsaw Sculpture,” and another that tells the history of Indigenous people in the region.
“We haven’t hosted any of these presenters before, but we are excited to be able to welcome them to Southwick and offer a great variety of programs this month,” said Public Library Director Lynn Blair.
The first event occurred on Monday, April 13, a discussion about the Continental Arsenal at Springfield and its significance to the Continental Army’s ability to wage war against the British.
The next event is on Wednesday, April 22, from 6-7:30 p.m. On that night, participants will take a “super-interesting, fun, interactive and engaging journey” through the career of world-famous master chainsaw sculptor, Dr. “The Machine” Jesse Green, who is the star of “American Chainsaw” on
who has been trying for years, with the support of the committee, to have Joseph Baldarelli, the owner of the 10 acres on Berkshire Avenue, restore a portion of the property he cleared, which led to a discharge into the Middle Pond in December 2018 after a heavy rainstorm.
Clark said that when Baldarelli began the clearing operation in the early 2000s, he should have asked the Conservation Commission for an RDA because there was an intermittent stream on the property, which was lost during the clearing.
An RDA is typically requested by a property owner to the commission when there are questions that disturbing the property would violate the Wetlands Protection Act.
the National Geographic channel, ESPN/Disney, and streaming on Amazon, Apple TV and other services.
Sculpting wood for over 20 years, Green has been commissioned to create large-scale art for celebrities, rock stars, corporations, the military and art collectors. His online work has gone viral several times, according to his website.
This larger-than-life character earned a degree from UMass Dartmouth and was bestowed an honorary doctorate in arts by Keene State College. He sings and plays harmonica for the cover band Fevah Dream, and was the official chainsaw sculptor of Husqvarna USA.
“Through an incredible series of photos, the process of creating gigantic, death-defying works of art from trees is brought to life in a big way. Attendees will be able to ask questions throughout and fully participate in the discussion. You’ve never seen anything like it,” Blair said, adding that registration is required for this program.
Finally, Blair said, the li-
brary will welcome Dr. Margaret Bruchac in an event co-hosted with the Southwick Historical Society on Recovering Histories of Indigenous Presence in the Kwinitekw (Connecticut River Valley) on Wednesday, April 29, from 6-7:30 p.m. at the library.
For many millennia, Native people lived along the Kwinitekw in Western Massachusetts, sustained by local flora and fauna, and supported by reciprocal trade and diplomacy with their Native neighbors.
During the 1600s, Native leaders in Agawam (now Springfield), Woronoco (now Westfield), Nonotuck (now Northampton and Hadley) and Pocumtuck (now Deerfield and Greenfield) invited English colonists to establish trading posts and small settlements.
Sachems like Chickwalloppe, Mashalisk, and Umpanchela negotiated diplomatic and trade relations with English colonial settlers and attempted to preserve, in written deeds, Indigenous rights to hunt, fish, gather, plant and live here in perpetuity.
Reminder Publishing
During the late 1600s and into the 1700s, colonial conflict and warfare violated these agreements and fractured these relations.
This talk offers glimpses into colonial relations, while also re-
flecting on the lives of Native families who remained highly visible — literally “hiding in plain sight,” in the aftermath of warfare and displacement, utilizing long-standing Indigenous skills, kinship networks, and ecological knowledges to make a comfortable living, while supplying their white neighbors with medicinal, material and practical assistance. This program is funded in
part by a grant from the Southwick Cultural Council, a local agency supported by the Mass. Cultural Council, a state agency. Bruchac is a professor emerita of Anthropology at the University of Pennsylvania. Registration is required for each of these events. The library welcomes anyone interested in signing up to call at 413-5691221 or register online at tinyurl.com/swkevents.
The Southwick Public Library has three events in April that will be fun and educational, including an appearance by The Machine Jesse Green, famous for his chainsaw sculptures.
submitted photo
These are two aerial photographs taken by the state that show the changes made at 159 Berkshire Ave. by its owner over 17 years. The photo on the left is from 2006, and the photo on the right is from 2023. Reminder Publishing photo by MASSGIS
Gubernatorial candidate Shortsleeve stops in Agawam
By Sarah Heinonen sheinonen@thereminder.com
AGAWAM — About 50 people milled around at Partner’s Restaurant on March 31, gathering in groups to nibble on hors d’oeuvres and talk politics. Eventually, people settled at tables to listen to Brian Shortsleeve make his case for why he should be Massachusetts’s next governor.
State Rep. Nicholas Boldyga introduced Shortsleeve and his running mate, Shawn Oliver. Shortsleeve is one of three Republicans in the primary race. Boldyga said every Republican campaign for office in Massachusetts is difficult. To eschew concerns about the deep pockets of Shortsleeve’s primary opponent, former biotechnology executive Michael Minogue, he said now-Secretary of Education Linda McMahon had run for state Senate in Connecticut twice, and despite drastically outspending other opponents, failed to win the seat each time. He said a candidate can outspend their opponents and lose “if you’re not the right candidate for the job at the right time.”
Oliver, a New Bedford city councilor and corrections officer, took the mic and said, “You have to know criminals when you look them in the face every day; and there are a lot of criminals trying to run the state government.” Oliver said he and Shortsleeve would “fire” all members of the parole board and replace them with “common sense” board members.
Oliver urged the crowd to vote for Shortsleeve because, “He is one of us.”
Shortsleeve leaned heavily on his history as a U.S. Marine and as a business owner. He said the Marine Corps taught him about leadership. “This state is in desperate need of new leadership,” he said. He also spoke at length about his time in former-Gov. Charlie Baker’s administration, managing the finances at the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Administration. Shortsleeve said he went “line by line” to find waste and found that the MBTA paid invoices without question and did not regularly examine where it could cut costs.
GreenNFit
Continued from page 2
because it makes you feel so good,’” she said.
Some of the work volunteers do include replacing bathtubs with showers, replacing steps, replacing carpets, adding handrails for stairs and much more. While Revitalize CDC does similar work in Holyoke and Chicopee, #GreenNFit Day is focused on homes in Springfield. Shanley-Loveless added that the organization’s nutrition and healthy homes programs, along with its
“We desperately need a governor in the corner office who knows how to balance budgets.” He said there was “enormous growth in state spending,” and noted the state budget was $48 million in 2022 and is now $65 million. He described it as “billions and billions of dollars blown.”
Without citing any sources, Shortsleeve estimated that $5 billion had been spent housing immigrants in temporary shelters. In late 2022, the number of people in the state’s emergency shelters drastically increased, largely due to an influx of immigrants. Because there is a right-to-shelter law in Massachusetts and the shelters were overflowing, many people and families were sheltered in hotels and other large-scale temporary housing, including Logan Airport. As the number of newly arrived people fell in 2024 and new restrictions, including sixmonth maximum stays and proof of residency requirements, the situation eased. As of August 2025, there were no immigrants sheltered in hotels.
Shortsleeve said he plans to cut waste, increase accountability and lower utility bills and taxes. The last two of these were talking points Shortsleeve returned to several times over the course of the event.
Shortsleeve said Massachusetts is losing population, business owners among them, because taxes are too high. Healey is not “in sync” with the factors impacting small business owners, he said. Shortsleeve’s plan included rolling back the income tax from 5% to 4%.
“We pay our taxes,” said one person in the audience. “I can’t go 14 feet without hitting a pothole.” Oliver said municipalities are “behind the eight-ball,” because not enough funding is coming back to them in local aid.
Pulling a National Grid bill out of his jacket, Shortsleeve said the average Massachusetts customer is paying $480 per month for electricity. As of January, the average electric bill in Massachusetts was $177.61. Shortsleeve also said 30% of electric bills
lead inspection and remediation work are available in 11 of Massachusetts’s 14 counties.
Shanley-Loveless touched on how important the GreenNFit event is for helping people in need.
“Everybody needs a little help now and then, and we’re happy to be there to bring some joy and improve people’s quality of life in helping to make their homes safer,” she said.
To listen to the full conversation, head to thereminder.com/ our-podcast or search “So That Reminds Me” on your favorite podcasting platform.
are the result of state-mandated fees, which he described as taxes. There are several state-mandated charges on electric bills, including the energy efficiency charge, which funds electric energy efficiency programs, and the net metering recovery surcharge, which recovers net metering credits applied to customers with excess generation from on-site generation facilities. However, most of these were put in place before Healey took office in 2023.
On “day one” of his administration, Shortsleeve said he would remove all mandated fees from utility bills. He also said he would tie the state to shale pipelines run by companies, including Algonquin Gas Transmission and Tennessee Gas.
Shortsleeve and Oliver both spoke in favor of auditing the state Legislature, which 72% of voters approved in a 2024 referendum. Since then, state House of Representatives Speaker Ronald Mariano and state Senate President Karen Spilka have blocked the audit, saying it violates the separation of powers under the state constitution. State Auditor Diana DiZoglio has since sued to force the audit.
In addition to allowing audits of the Legislature, Oliver said Shortsleeve would make sure all executive departments are audited. Under state law, all executive
departments must be audited over the course of three years. DiZoglio completed those audits within the prescribed timeframe in 2025. Despite this, Oliver claimed such an audit would “find billions of dollars in waste.” He promised that the first billion would be returned directly to municipalities in local aid.
Reflecting local sentiment that spans the political spectrum, a man in the crowd said, “We have to fight for money in Western Mass., when Boston just gets money dumped on them.” Another person told Shortsleeve and Oliver, “I don’t want you to walk away after getting you elected and forget about us.” Oliver said that, like Western Massachusetts, Healey only visited New Bedford during campaign season. He promised Shortsleeve would not forget about the region.
Someone in the audience mentioned the “crazy policies” passed by the Massachusetts Association of School Committees. The organization does not pass binding policies but instead develops and provides model policies school committees can choose to use. Oliver opined that some districts were on an “ideological crusade.”
Shortsleeve lamented the achievement of students in the state. He described the state Department of Elementary and Sec-
ondary Education as “anti-choice, pro-politics,” and said he would fire and replace the entire board. He said parents should be able to log in online and see what their child learned in class that day. He also said the MCAS was removed as a graduation standard but not replaced with another metric, which he was in favor of, along with more vocational training options.
Shortsleeve also promoted the proposed federal Education Choice for Children Act, which would allow households earning up to 300% or their area’s median income and corporations to use up to $1,700 in tax credits to contribute to Scholarship Granting Organizations, which provide private school tuition vouchers.
When it comes to the need for housing statewide, Shortsleeve said, “To get prices down, we need to boost supply. There is an enormous amount of state-owned land.” To encourage builders, he would eliminate the stretch energy code and suspend the Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act, he said.
With Shortsleeve’s strong message of deregulation, Reminder Publishing asked the candidate what he would do to protect the people whom the regulations were designed to protect. He responded, “You protect people by acknowledging the policies have failed.”
Brian Shortsleeve speaks to voters at Partner’s Restaurant in Agawam. Reminder Publishing photo by Sarah Heinonen
BASEBALL
Westfield Tech played Palmer High March 31 at Bullens Field, losing 10-2.
REMINDER SPORTS PHOTOS TAKEN BY MARC ST. ONGE
Logan Csekovsky gets the out at third base on Theo Haley.
Starting pitcher Antonio Simpson fires in a pitch at the March 31 game with Palmer High.
Tech Tiger Josh Elmer tries to beat the throw to first.
Ben Harrington gets the out at first on Trevor Merceri.
Tech senior Andrew Galczynski takes a cut at a Palmer pitch.
WESTFIELD TECH VS PALMER HIGH
Westfield Tech catcher Josh McDonald gets the out at home plate on Matt Santos.
Lucas Cummings focuses on an incoming pitch.
Antonio Simpson dodges an inside pitch.
Cam Witczak strides in a run for Tech.
learn about food plans and chose the lower one at $520 a month. For housing, he chose to share a two-bedroom apartment and split the cost of rent, electricity and the internet.
Attending with Elmer and his shopmate Angel Gomez was collision technology teacher Michael Vera. “I think it’s good to see what
Clearing
Continued from page 4
If the commission hands down a negative determination and finds that the WPA does not apply, then the work can go forward. A positive determination
we as adults go through. It’s good they understand credit.”
“I graduated from Putnam. They did not have financial literacy. I wish they had fairs like this when I was in high school,” Vera said.
Also attending the fair was Marjorie Rodriguez, assistant director of the Faces program at Westfield State University, which serves students in or aging out of foster care and those who are housing insecure. She brought a
would mean that the WPA does apply, and the property owner would need to take additional steps to begin the work.
“[This] is what should have been done originally, before they did anything out there,” Clark said.
He said he thought that only
couple of students from the Faces program with her. For them, the challenges presented at Credit for Life were imminent.
Sky Santiago, president of the Faces Club, said she found the fair to be helpful. “I’ve never been to get a car or get a car loan. That’s what I’m most nervous about — car insurance and finances,” she said. She also went back for the quiz to improve her credit score.
“At first, I got a 655, but I wanted to make sure I got ev-
a property owner could file for an RDA, but learned from Conservation Commission Coordinator Sabrina Pooler that someone other than the owner can apply for one.
However, Clark said, the commission can’t file for it, but the LMC can.
“So, we’re gonna do that,” Clark said, referring to the LMC.
He said that he and Grannells would be working with a private consultant to help with the filing.
The issue was on the commission’s agenda after LMC requested it, and because Pooler had taken photos of the property in its current condition to show what it looks like now.
When Baldarelli purchased the property in 1997, according to Southwick GIS property records and historic statewide aerial maps, more than half of it was forested.
However, as the years marched by, Baldarelli began clearing it, so that by 2023, between 15% and 25% of the property still had trees, which were visible in aerial photographs taken each year by the state.
On Baldarelli’s property the intermittent stream was on its western side and during heavy
erything I needed. I also got a part-time job in internet technology and a full-time job as a therapist. That’s what I’m studying at Westfield State University,” Santiago said.
Lyle Rivera chose the career of graphic designer, closely related to the WSU course of study.
“I have more of an idea how to survive. School and Faces have been very helpful in that mindset, and I have a community in there,” Rivera said.
rains, stormwater from Edgewood Country Club and properties along Sheep Pasture Road is channeled by a culvert under the rail trail, travels down the stream into a culvert under Berkshire Avenue, toward the town-owned old town beach where a stone weir was installed to slow and settle the stormwater before it reaches the Middle Pond.
As Pooler was showing the photographs, Commissioner Jerry Patria asked if Baldarelli had “created their own wetland.”
“They destroyed a wetland. There was a wetland. They dug a ditch to drain it,” Clark responded.
There is allegedly an earthen dam built on the property to slow any stormwater runoff from the golf course and Sheep Pasture Road.
He also said he had a “feeling” that after the commission hands down a decision on the RDA, “it will need a Notice of Intent and probably more permits on top of that if there is a dam.”
If the commission hands down a positive determination, a Notice of Intent is required for permits to be issued.
On Oct. 5, 2021, Derek Hale, a professional engineer, submitted an application to the Planning
Rodriguez said only 2% of foster kids graduate from a four-year college. “This year will be our biggest graduation of 45 students.” Credit for Life is sponsored by MassHousing, the Financial Education Innovation Fund Grant awarded by the Office of Economic Empowerment - State Treasurer; Beacon Bank, BankESB, Peoples Bank, Westfield Bank, WG&E, Westfield Public Schools and Volunteers in Public Schools.
Board requesting a stormwater management permit, and public hearings were scheduled. However, Baldarelli asked for and was granted continuances by the board until Nov. 7, 2023, which was when it approved the permit.
The permit ordered Baldarelli to regrade, stabilize, and loam and seed the disturbed land.
It also allowed a retention pond that Baldarelli had already built to remain, as well as the dam.
However, there was no indication that the work required by the permit was being done, which the LMC has discussed at nearly every meeting since June about having Baldarelli provide a schedule that it was being completed.
Last July, Hale, on behalf of Baldarelli, requested that the Planning Board allow a minor modification of the stormwater permit. Essentially, Baldarelli wanted to change the stone that would be used to replace the earthen dam that had been built years earlier.
After working with the DPW’s stormwater coordinator, an agreement was reached on the stone size and placement, which the Planning Board approved.
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.
AGAWAM
Joseph Luc Gaulin
John A. Hanson
Frederick D. McCormack
Susan A. OhAre
Gail F. Orlandi
Laura M. Sapelli
Elizabeth Norma Wescott
FEEDING HILLS
John A. Carney RUSSELL Eric E. Griffin WEST SPRINGFIELD
Martin G. Balboni
Paul Steven Carlson Thomas Cortis Sr.
Margaret Muzzy (Smith) WESTFIELD
Lyndsay M. Beaumier
Ruth M. Hutchinson
Henry Monczko
Lucille T. Paul
Lillian R. Struckus
Joanne B. Tirrell
By Sarah Heinonen sheinonen@thereminder.com
NORTHAMPTON — The Hosmer Gallery on the second floor of Northampton’s Forbes Library is awash in colors and textures. Nine women have put their heart and soul — and thread — into a fiber art exhibit, “Bits and Pieces.”
Sally Dillion, Rebecca Fricke, Barbara Kline, Martha May, Martha Robinson, Florence “Flo” Rosenstock, Margaret Stancer, Eileen Travis and Nancy Young are The Fiberistas. They range in age from mid-50s to mid-80s, but the one thing they have in common is a love of fiber art.
“There’s nine of us and we
work in a variety of different mediums,” Rosenstock said. The “Bits and Pieces” exhibit includes art created by quilting, sewing, felting, crochet, soft sculpture, collage, fabric discharge and printing, cyanotype and photo silk screen and mixed media. Rosenstock said, “I like making things with my hands. I’m fascinated by color.” Her medium of choice is quilting, but she also likes to dye her own fabrics. Occasionally, she will create fiber sculptures with felt and paper
In 2001, the Fiber Arts Center opened in Amherst. When it closed seven years later, a handful of the people who enjoyed the center decided they would carry
on in the form of The Fiberistas. Over the years, some members have moved away, and others have joined the group.
The goal of the “Bits and Pieces” exhibit was to use materials the artist already had, scraps from other projects that would otherwise go to waste. The exhibit consists of about 50 pieces of art. Many of them were created for the exhibit, but some pieces are older and simply have not been on display before.
Since the group’s founding, they have staged an array of exhibits in Northampton and Amherst, including at Art in the Orchard, an outdoor art show that is on display for three months
of the year. Rosenstock said making fiber art that will stand up to the weather is particularly challenging.
Nonetheless, Rosenstock loves having her work on display. She said, “It’s wonderful to get
Quilts by Margaret Stancer and fiber sculptures by Nancy Young, part of The Fiberistas’s “Bits and Pieces” exhibit at Forbes Library.
Reminder Publishing photos by Peter Tuohy
McGonagle and John P. McAdoo, 105 Edgewater Road
Diane Devivo-Panico, David J. Devivo and Brian F. Devivo to Connor Devivo and Taylor Hildack, 122 Cottonwood Ln.
Michael D. Johansen and Andrea B. Johansen to Sean C. Kennedy, 85 Red Fox Drive
Ruth Noemi Vasquez and Eric Nicholas Vasquez to William J. Frink and Diana L. Frink, 22 Cooley St.
Steven D. Venne and Patricia A. Venne to Andrea Johansen and Michael Johansen, 47 Roberta Circle
CHESTER
Michael B. Cronin and Megan Cronin to Konstantin P. Khodunov and Leah G. Khodunov, 654 Skyline Trail
