SPRINGFIELD — For the first time, the Springfield city budget is expected to be more than $1 billion for fiscal year 2027. Mayor Domenic Sarno, who presented his proposed budget at a press conference on May 1, said the major drivers are the schools and non-discretionary costs.
The city’s portion of the $1.04 billion budget is $330.1 million, 4.5% more than in FY26. The school budget is more than double the city’s side, at $708.8 million, 5.8% higher than last year. Chief Administrative Finance Officer Cathy Buomo described the budget as “fiscally responsible.” She said 83% of the city’s costs are non-discretionary, including contracts and the increase in retirement costs, which is 8% this year. The city uses the state’s Group Insurance Commission. Sarno said, “The GIC has been able to stabilize the costs.”
Sarno said this is the 12th year in which no reserve money has been used to balance the budget. The city has an AA- bond rating from Standard & Poor, and $75.1 million in its stabilization account, which is essentially a municipal saving account or rainyday fund. The bond rating helps determine interest rates on the city’s debt.
The city has managed a balanced budget this year, in part, through department heads cutting costs where possible. Code Enforcement and Health and Human Services were fully funded. Sarno said Parks, Buildings and Recreation Management will have polls and splash pads open this year, and he announced, “The swan boats are back.”
The School Department budget faced a deficit of just over $3
million this year. Superintendent Sonia Dinnall said the department is still working to close that gap, with help from an unexpected decrease in transportation costs and “tightening our belts” through attrition. She said there would be no cuts to current positions, and the impact would not be felt in the classroom.
Next year, because the Student Opportunity Act is ending, the School Department is looking at a $20 million deficit. Dinnall said her team is working to find revenue streams and opportunities.
“We will continue to advocate for the maximum amount of funding that we can receive from the state, with the understanding that the state has been very supportive and the state is also facing pressures and cuts and things of that nature from the federal government,” Dinnall said.
Sarno praised the amount of economic development ongoing in the city, from the Springfield Crossing shopping plaza to the triple digit increase in housing stock. He also said Springfield has more school building projects than any other municipality. The Massachusetts School Building Authority, a semi-governmental entity, reimburses cities and towns for eligible school construction and repair costs. Springfield receives an 80% reimbursement rate.
Sarno said the loss of $6 billion in federal funds to the state means less money to be passed on to cities and towns. Looking at the impact of the budget of property tax rates, he said, “We have to be able to provide the services to the residents and businesses in this community. Every year, I put in money to create more tax re-
lief. Here’s the thing: the real estate market is still strong. We try to be as fair as possible.”
He continued, “Some councilors say, ‘use the reserves.’” He explained that using one-time funding for tax relief will create a cliff as it becomes baked into the tax calculations for future years.
Sarno said he put $1 million into targeted tax relief for property owners with income just above the eligibility for state tax exemptions. The age for tax abatement has been reduced from 70 years to 65, and the abatement amount has doubled to $1,000.
The City Council has received copies of the budget, and Buono said she has collaborated with Council President Tracye Whitfield to schedule reviews with department heads. The full FY27 budget proposal can be found at springfield-ma.gov/finance.
IN THIS EDITION
Program to offer onestop-shop for early childhood
The city recently announced Foundations for Success Springfield, a collaboration of resources for families with preschoolaged children. Page 3 Fenton stages bid for District 8 seat on Governor’s Council Springfield City Councilor Michael Fenton has announced that he will run to represent Western Massachusetts on the Governor’s Council.
4
SPRINGFIELD
Mayor Domenic Sarno holds up a copy of the recommended budget for fiscal year 2027.
Reminder Publishing photo by Sarah Heinonen
STRM: Gonzalez reacts to Baystate’s merger with Mercy
By Ryan Feyre rfeyre@thereminder.com
SPRINGFIELD — Baystate
Health’s recent acquisition of Mercy Medical Center, set to become official on Nov. 1, is making waves throughout the region as people scramble to prepare for what this will mean for health care in Western Massachusetts.
On the latest episode of “So That Reminds Me,” state Rep. Carlos Gonzalez sat down with hosts Dennis Hackett and Tyler Garnet to discuss what is on the horizon in light of this announcement and how he plans to gather more information about the merger.
As of press time, Gonzalez met with Baystate Health President and CEO Peter Banko to gain more clarity about the impact the merger may have and how the decision may affect personnel, services and the role Mercy has in the region. He shared that he’s also privately met with the speaker of the state’s House of Representatives and is working with the Department of Public Health and personnel at Baystate to determine the best path forward following the announcement.
“We’ve been trying to make
sure that we are in tune to what are the needs of that potential merger, but also more importantly, upon getting the notification, what changes we may potentially see that can adversely affect the services of the personnel at Mercy,” Gonzalez said.
The Springfield Democrat foresees a bevy of potential health impacts hitting the area when this merger officially takes shape. He mentioned the birthing center closing at Mercy and the overflow of people in the region’s hospitals as potential concerns for people who need hospital services in a prompt manner.
“Sometimes we may have seen in the past a bulging of people going to emergency rooms across our hospital systems, and that may have a negative impact,” Gonzalez said. “And that’s a five-minute to 20-minute delay on providing medical attention to somebody in an emergency situation, [which] could, you know, cost lives.”
On the topic of whether he thinks the merger will prevent Mercy from shutting down, a concern delegates and residents have had in the past, Gonzalez said that “mergers are like marriages,” and “many marriages
end up in divorce and changes need to happen.”
“That’s why it’s important that we get answers directly on what they foresee are potential changes or challenges, and how can the state be impactful and find a system through this process,” Gonzalez said.
He noted that Baystate and Mercy are economic engines for the region “in so many ways,” whether it be through the birth centers or local pharmacy at Mercy. In that same breath, Gonzalez said the merger carries some potential drawbacks such as a loss of jobs, a problem he said will hopefully be addressed in future discussions with hospital leadership.
“We hope that whatever bargaining rights [doctors and nurses] have at Mercy can continue to remain,” Gonzalez said.
He shared that his job as a state representative is to serve the people, and although some are excited about the merger, he wants to make sure it doesn’t negatively impact residents in our region.
“I believe that government is for the people, by the people,” Gonzalez said. “Now is the prime time to be echoing your sentiments as to what you feel is a need. And if we can attach a cost
to it that can be obtained, then we need to work on those efforts.”
Readers can listen to the full podcast episode with Gonzalez
by visiting thereminder.com/ our-podcast or searching “So That Reminds Me” on your favorite podcasting platform.
Historic South End to host flea market and vendor fair on May 16
SPRINGFIELD — The Sons and Daughters of Italy, Springfield Chapter, invites the community for a day of artisan shopping, vintage thrifting, food and neighborhood celebration. The Southend Flea Market and Vendor Fair on Saturday, May 16, will take place from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the compound of Casa Italia, located at 13 Winthrop St. in the heart of Springfield’s South End.
Set against the backdrop of the South End’s iconic Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church and surrounding historic brick architecture, this rain-or-shine event aims to revitalize the community spirit
of one of the city’s oldest neighborhoods. Attendees can browse a curated selection of handmade and vintage jewelry, watches, antiques, clothing, glassware and arts from local craft vendors, alongside unique collectibles and vintage treasures.
“We are excited to bring a new, fun, inclusive community experience to the Southend,” said Chris DiMauro, organizer and commissioner of the Sons and Daughters of Italy. “This event is designed to be an exciting, thrifting-shopping adventure with something for everyone. Today, people enjoy saving money by finding
quality second hand items. Many also take pride in meeting and supporting small local artists. This Vendor Bazaar and Flea market offers exactly that.”
The fair will feature a lively atmosphere with live music and Entertainment throughout the day. Authentic Italian and American food and snacks will be available for purchase, reflecting the neighborhood’s long-standing culinary heritage. Guests can also participate in several exciting raffles and door prize drawings. Including a chance to win a new Vespa Scooter!
To ensure the event is acces-
sible to all, admission is free.
Convenient free parking is available at the nearby lots including MGM Springfield garage and on-street throughout the neighborhood. Attendees from the
Pancake breakfast are encouraged to walk down and shop after the event. For more information please contact Christopher DiMauro 413-348-9526.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR MEMORIAL DAY FLAGGING OF CEMETERIES
SPRINGFIELD — The city of Springfield’s Department of Veterans’ Services is looking for volunteers to help with the flagging of Springfield’s cemeteries for Memorial Day. Cemetery flagging will take place from Saturday, May 9, through Sunday, May 24. Springfield’s Department of Veterans’ Services will flag all publicly owned and maintained cemeteries within the city. Those interested in volunteering can contact the City of Springfield’s Veterans Department at 413-787-6141.
State Rep. Carlos Gonzalez joined the latest episode of “So That Reminds Me.” Reminder Publishing submitted photo
Foundations for Success to offer one-stop-shop for early childhood
By Sarah Heinonen sheinonen@thereminder.com
SPRINGFIELD — Springfield Public Schools Superintendent Sonia Dinnall was joined on the steps of City Hall by state officials and the CEOs of three area children’s education organizations to launch Foundations for Success Springfield, a collaboration of resources for families with preschool-aged children.
“Foundations for Success Springfield represents exactly the kind of coordinated, family-centered approach we need,” Education Secretary Steve Zrike said in a press release. “This collaboration is an example of what is possible through the Commonwealth Preschool Partnership Initiative, a key
piece of Gov. [Maura] Healey’s early education and care agenda. Foundations for Success Springfield will help to align curriculum, improve quality, and create a more coordinated system of child care for so many Springfield families.”
The collaboration between Springfield Public Schools, HCS Head Start, the YMCA of Greater Springfield and Square One will guide parents and caregivers to community programs through a one-stop website. Foundations for Success Springfield will help families navigate the early childhood system, including pre-school readiness, educational placement and developmental support.
“Every child deserves a strong start, and every family
deserves to feel supported on that journey. Foundations for Success is that connection,” said Dinnall. “It reflects a shared belief that we empower children for life when we surround them with care and guidance from the start. I am grateful to our partners, HCS Head Start, the YMCA of Greater Springfield, Square One and our state and city leaders, for their commitment to Springfield’s children and families.”
Nicole Blais, president and CEO of HCS Head Start, said, “We are honored to be at the table with organizations that share a deep dedication to children’s well-being, strengthening families, and continuously improving the quality and impact of early education.”
Dinnall said Foundations for Success Springfield will help parents learn what fundamental milestones children should experience in the first few years of life and how to prepare them for preschool. She said many families do not know the School Department offers universal preschool, or do not know how much it benefits young children.
Statewide, Massachusetts Commissioner of Early Education and Care Amy Kershaw said about 80% of four-yearolds are enrolled in early childhood education or child care. “We have made an enormous amount of progress,” she said, but added, “We know there’s more work to be done.”
Referring to the collaborating organizations, Square
One President and CEO Dawn DiStefano said, “These are old partners — old agencies that are experts in their field. I see Square One as sharing its strong capacity. Families don’t have time to click on four different sites,” to find an agency. She said, “How much time is going into a 30 minute intake just to be told, ‘We can’t help you?’” With Foundations for Success Springfield, she said parents can call one phone number or go to one website to find the best agency for them. “Headstart might fill a space Square One doesn’t,” she said. “There’s enough kids to go around.” For more information on Foundations for Success Springfield, visit foundationsspringfield.org.
Springfield Code Ninjas location builds skills beyond the keyboard
By Sarah Heinonen sheinonen@thereminder.com
SPRINGFIELD — Six students, ranging in age from about 9 to 14 years old, sat in front of desktop computers, typing in commands. They flicked between a screen full of code and one which displayed a simple group of pixels. The goal of the coding session was to make the “sprites” on the screen look and act how they envisioned. Eventually, the sprites will be characters in games that the students are creating.
The one-hour session was over for Aiden Fisher. He announced to his mother, who was waiting for him, that he had “leveled up.” The instructor handed him a mallet and Fisher walked to a small gong at the front of the room. The instrument resonated with the impact of the mallet, and Fisher looked up with a smile.
This is Code Ninjas, a workshop where students learn to code and engage with other STEM topics. Owners Vassu Kamisetty, Teja Mittapalli and Muthu Sivakumar recently opened their franchise at 372 Cooley St., Space 25. It is one of about 400 Code Ninjas locations, mainly in the United States, United Kingdom and Canada.
At Code Ninjas, the coding experience is coached in the language of the Korean martial art form Taekwondo. The room where the students learn is a “dojo,” the instructor is a “sensei” and as students level up, they earn sequential “belts” in the traditional Taekwondo belt colors, starting with white, and working up through yellow, orange, green, blue, purple, brown and red, before becoming a black belt.
Because the Springfield Code Ninjas has only been open for a few months, most of the roughly 60 students enrolled in the program are still white belts, although a few have begun their yellow belt training.
“The kids really like it,” said Kamisetty. “It keeps them motivated.”
Code Ninjas offers small group classes for children between 5 and 7 years old, during which they learn basic terminol-
ogy and concepts. Students from 8 to 14 years old move on to individual work with help from the senseis.
Kamisetty taught her child at home during the coronavirus pandemic when schools were shuttered. With a professional background in coding, she looked for a STEM curriculum to teach but was unable to find one that satisfied her child’s needs. A few years later, she came across Code Ninjas.
Mittapalli, who has been a friend of Kamisetty since their now-teenage children were young, said she has always had an interest in hands-on projects for children and saw the possibility of Code Ninjas when Kamisetty brought it up to her. She said the students relate to the senseis because they are relatively young. They also relate to each other.
“They’re learning soft skills — team building, how to talk to your friend. It’s a wonderful time to see them bonding,” Mittapalli said. Kamisetty said the experience builds the students’ confidence. For children who are not interested in sports, Code Ninjas provides a group setting where they can engage with their peers while doing something they enjoy, she said, adding, “They’re building their own community.”
Beyond the STEM-based skills of problem solving and logic building, Kamisetty said the curriculum helps children improve their reading skills because the instructions in the proprietary curriculum are text-based.
Kamisetty said families were excited to sign their children up.
“Parents ask, ‘Why were you not open sooner?’” she said with a laugh. The location, in the Five Town Plaza on Cooley Street, is convenient and allows the business to serve children from Springfield, Longmeadow, East Longmeadow, Wilbraham and Hampden, Kamisetty said.
Code Ninjas hired nine senseis, most of whom are in high school or college. Kamisetty said they have been “amazing. With just a little training, they go so far.” She said the students are also technologically savvy at young ages.
Kamisetty said there is always room to grow with Code Ninjas because the curriculum can be
brought into schools and taught in a classroom format. While she and Mittapalli are focused on the
current location, she said they do eventually plan to collaborate with area schools.
A student works on a “sprite” alongside a sensei at Code Ninjas.
Reminder Publishing photo by Sarah Heinonen
Workers’ rights groups honor those who died on the job
By Sarah Heinonen sheinonen@thereminder.com
SPRINGFIELD — Framed black-and-white photos lined the lawn in front of Teamsters Local 404 on Progress Avenue. Each of them was in memory of a worker who died on the job. Beside the photos, a chair was draped with a neon worker safety shirt and a hard hat sat on the seat.
The ceremony was part of a Workers’ Memorial Day Week of Action, which coincided with the release of the 2026 Dying for Work in Massachusetts report from the Massachusetts Coalition for Occupational Safety. The report documented 59 workplace fatalities in Massachusetts in 2025, 22.9% more than the previous year. During the ceremony, the names of the workers were read out, along with their age and industry.
“Workers’ Memorial Day is not only a day of remembrance. It is a public demand for accountability, prevention and dignity,” said MassCOSH Executive Director Tatiana Begault. “We gather to honor those whose lives were stolen by preventable workplace harm, and to insist that Massachusetts invest in the protections current and future workers need right now.”
Referring to the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration, Begault said, “OSHA alone is not enough. They do not have the capacity to train workers. Organizations like us, MassCOSH, we step up to the plate when government agencies are unable to fulfill their position, or job or description.”
Begault said most of the work-related deaths that have occurred can be prevented. “It’s about actually penalizing bad actors and agencies that receive contracts, it’s about regulating, enforcing accountability on the contract giving,” she said. “There’s no accountability.” MassCOSH’s role is to “bring them up to the light” through research. She said MassCOSH trains workers in knowing their rights, organizing and mobilizing, the laws around OSHA regulations and the proper use of personal protective equipment.
Bryan J. Donovan, president of Teamsters Local 404, said there is a political factor in the waning of unions. “Republicans don’t typically side for unionized labor. Democrats say they do, and then when push comes to shove, you’re not sure if they do either.” He said many companies that were unionized have folded or moved elsewhere.
“This is systematic,”
said.
said every
has rights, regardless of whether they are a union member, their immigration status or their spo-
language. She said, “I speak five languages. Injustice is not one of them.”
Fenton stages bid for District 8 seat on Governor’s Council
By Sarah Heinonen sheinonen@thereminder.com
SPRINGFIELD — Springfield City Councilor Michael Fenton has announced that he will run against incumbent Tara Jacobs to represent Western Massachusetts on the Governor’s Council,
an influential body that reviews judicial appointments and advocates for the state’s judicial infrastructure needs.
The Governor’s Council is a body of eight members, presided over by the lieutenant governor. The council meets once a week to consent on the governor’s choice
of judges, clerk magistrates and members of the Parole, Appellate Tax, Industrial Accident and Industrial Accident Reviewing boards, as well as public administrators, notaries and justices of the peace. Governor’s Council members also advise the governor on major outlays from the state treasury, such as building courthouses, and on pardons and commutations.
“The Governor’s Council is really a check on the governor,” Fenton said. “It’s the perfect complement of my skill set. This position really needs someone who has legal training to scrutinize judicial appointments.” Fenton has been an attorney for 17 years, most recently with Shatz, Schwartz and Fentin. He is also a professor at Western New England University School of Law. He added that his 14 years
See FENTON on page 5
DA’s Office to run FIGG drive at World’s Largest Pancake Breakfast
SPRINGFIELD — The Hampden District Attorney’s Office will conduct forensic investigative genetic genealogy DNA collection on Saturday, May 16, during the World’s Largest Pancake Breakfast hosted by Spirit of Springfield.
The District Attorney’s Office will have a booth located in front of the MassMutual Center, where investigators will be collecting voluntary DNA samples in the form of cheek swabs to support ongoing unsolved homicide investigations in Hampden County. Forensic investigative genetic genealogy is an advanced investigative technique that combines DNA analysis with genealogical research to help identify potential relatives of an unknown suspect — even when no match exists in CODIS, the national law enforcement DNA database. Through FIGG, DNA collected from crime-scene evidence can be compared against publicly available genealogy databases
to identify distant relatives of unknown suspects, sometimes reaching fourth, fifth or even sixth cousins. Investigators then use those connections to build family trees, narrow investigative focus, and, in some cases, identify individuals connected to cases that have remained unresolved for years.
In Hampden County, FIGG has already helped investigators generate meaningful leads and resolve long-standing cases. In 2025, a decades-old sexual assault case from 2000 was solved using forensic genetic genealogy, ultimately leading to a guilty plea and state prison sentence for the offender after more than two decades without answers.
This outreach effort is part of the Hampden District Attorney’s Office’s continued commitment to pursuing answers in unresolved cases and supporting the work of its Unresolved and Unidentified Case Investigation Unit.
Springfield Ward 5 City Councilor Lavar Click-Bruce participated at a 2025 FIGG drive by providing a DNA sample, demonstrating his support for the use of FIGG in solving cold cases and encouraging community members to contribute to the effort to bring justice.
Community members who choose to participate in the DNA
Every week we will provide you with a complete listings of deaths from the preceding week from throughout Greater Springfield. We are doing this as a convenience to our readers in case you miss an obit in the daily paper. We hope you find this useful and that you will refer to it weekly.
CHICOPEE
Caroline D. Archambault
Helen M. Biglin
Yvette Harrington
Dennis J. Lajeunesse
Jeannine M. Martell
Loraine E. Pothier
Gregory J. Pray Sr.
Fletcher D. Ramsey
Barbara M. Skiba
Michael J. Soja Jr.
EAST LONGMEADOW
Sally A. Gozzi
Douglas P. Howie
Shirley Eleanor LaPolice
Larry F. Mathisen
HAMPDEN
Marcia Ronzoni Lefort
HOLYOKE
James E. Pease Jr.
Robert L. Cournoyer
Christine A. Dearborn
Lalta “William, Bill, Brother Willie” Nepal
Rodger E. Nichols
Barbara F. Randall LONGMEADOW
Anne Marie Iellamo
LUDLOW Rita Hogan
Sandra Lee Kulig
SOUTH HADLEY
Karen Adams
Alexandra L. Brannan “Ali” Brunelle
Dorothy N. Schenker
SPRINGFIELD
Barbara J. Cowdrey
Lauriana Lavallee (Lalli)
Joanne Elizabeth Moran
Peter J. Salier
George E. Sampson
Richard A. Stasiowski
Bruce Williams Jr.
WILBRAHAM
Marygene Byrd
Jeffrey W. Hulbert
Margaret M. “Marge” Rannenberg
Marjorie H. Weeks
James E. “Jim” Wilkinson Sr.
collection will not only be assisting investigators but will also receive their own full ancestry and family-tree information free of charge, a service that typically costs up to several hundred dollars.
“Every case we carry represents a life lost and a family still waiting for answers,” Hampden District Attorney Anthony D. Gulluni said. “Forensic genetic genealogy has become an important tool in that work, and community participation plays a real role in helping us move these cases forward.”
The World’s Largest Pan-
Reminder Publishing submitted photo
cake Breakfast takes place from 8-11 a.m. on Saturday, May 16. Booths line Main Street in Springfield from State Street to Bridge Street, and parking is available for $5 at the I-91 South Garage, the I-91 North Garage, the Convention Center Carpark, the Columbus Center Garage and the Union Station Garage.
Anyone with information about unresolved homicide cases in Hampden County is encouraged to call the Hampden District Attorney’s Office State Police Detective Unit at 413505-5993 or text-a-tip to 274637, text SOLVE then your message.
Begault
Begault
worker
ken
An empty chair symbolizes workers who died on the job and never came home. Reminder Publishing photo by Sarah Heinonen
Warm weather means more motorcycle crashes
By Sarah Heinonen sheinonen@thereminder.com
When the weather is warm and the roads are dry, many motorcyclists take to the street. But Kimberly D’Angelo, operations manager of Springfield-based ambulance company American Medical Response, said it is also when ambulance crews see an uptick in motorcycle-involved injuries. D’Angelo said that in the first four months of 2026, AMR responded to more than 30 motorcycle crashes.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, per miles traveled, motorcyclists were almost 27 times more likely to die in a motor vehicle crash than passenger car occupants. At the state level, the Massachusetts Department of Transportation crash portal logged 1,661 motorcycle crashes, 61 of which involved a fatality. Injuries in a motorcycle crash vary widely, she said. They largely depend on the clothing worn
by the operator and any passengers. If people wear full pants, a jacket and close-toed shoes, they may escape with bruises. If not, she said first responders are far more likely to see road rashes and lacerations.
“Helmets and speed are a big factor in if someone’s able to walk away,” she said. Massachusetts is one of 18 states that require helmets for all motorcycle riders. There are several types of helmets, from half helmet “skull cap” styles to open face or full coverage helmets. But D’Angelo said full-face helmets provide far more protection than other types, shielding the entire head, face and chin.
Since 1982, the “Check Twice — Save A Life, Motorcycles Are Everywhere” campaign has urged drivers of passenger vehicles and trucks to be cautious and watch for motorcyclists. D’Angelo said drivers should check their blind spots, particularly when passing or changing lands and at inter-
sections. She also urged motorcycle operators to exercise caution when riding a motorcycle, follow the speed limit and rules of the road.
Best practices from NHTSA
• The right gear: Always wear a helmet that meets U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards. Brightly colored clothing with reflective material makes motorcyclists more visible. Arms and legs should be completely covered, ideally by leather or heavy denim. Ankle-high boots or shoes and gloves are recommended. Practice makes perfect: Take the time to get accustomed to a new or unfamiliar motorcycle and see how it handles in a variety of conditions. Once you feel comfortable with your bike, you can take it into traffic.
• Before the ride: Check a motorcycle’s tire pressure and tread depth, hand and foot brakes, headlights, signal indicators
and fluid levels before you ride. You should also check for signs of oil or gas leaks. Secure and balance any cargo, and adjust the suspension and tire pressure to accommodate the extra weight.
• Passengers: Passengers should mount the motorcycle only after the engine has started; sit as far forward as possible, directly behind the driver and keep both feet on the footrests, with legs away from the muffler. The passenger should firmly hold on to the driver’s waist, hips or belt; limit movement and lean at the same time and in the same direction as you do.
• Rules of the road: Obey traffic lights, signs, speed limits and lane markings; ride with the flow of traffic and leave plenty of room between your bike and other vehicles. Always check behind you and signal before you change lanes. Do not ride while under the influence of alcohol and drugs.
STCC Trustees votes for Cournoyer as next president
SPRINGFIELD — Springfield Technical Community College’s Board of Trustees voted to recommend Dr. Jennifer G. Cournoyer as the next president of STCC.
The recommendation is subject to approval from the Massachusetts Board of Higher Education and Commissioner of Higher Education on May 19. If approved, she would be the seventh president of STCC and first woman to lead the institution.
Cournoyer, who serves as vice president for academic and student affairs at River Valley Community College in Claremont, New Hampshire, brings more than 12 years of experience in two-year colleges across New England.
The board’s unanimous decision on May 4 is the result of a nationwide, comprehensive search that began with listening sessions involving various constituency groups at the college in November 2025. The Presidential Search Committee, which included STCC Trustees, faculty, staff, students and community partners, selected three finalists to visit the STCC campus and engage with the broader community.
During her visit in April, Cour-
noyer toured the campus and participated in open interview sessions with faculty, staff, students and the Board of Trustees.
Michael R. Knapik, chair of the Board of Trustees at STCC, said Cournoyer will start her tenure this summer, pending approval from the Board of Higher Education and commissioner.
“I am pleased to join with my colleagues on the Board of Trustees in celebrating our vote in favor of the appointment of Dr. Jennifer Cournoyer as the next president of Springfield Technical Community College,” Knapik said. “This collaborative effort from all facets of the campus community has resulted in a selection of an individual who has our full confidence as she begins her tenure.”
In identifying STCC’s next leader, Knapik said it was the board’s desire to find an individual devoted to student success and who could build relationships, strengthen trust and unite teams throughout the college.
“STCC is in an exceptionally strong place as it serves our region and Commonwealth. We look forward to working with Dr. Cournoyer to advance its position and strengthen the institution for
Board or the Parole Board hail from Western Massachusetts.
spent on the City Council have provided him with the experience to thoroughly vet decisions based on facts and information.
For Fenton, reviewing the governor’s selection of judges is among the most consequential decisions. The process of being named a judge is “rigorous and invasive,” he said. “It is deemed by many to be the highest accomplishment of an attorney.” He said candidates must demonstrate that they have the “highest ethical standards, the appropriate demeanor” and the requisite background. “Life-changing moments happen in these courtrooms,” Fenton said.
Because the districts are population-based, District 8 is the largest geographical district, consisting of 102 cities and towns west of Palmer. Fenton said the Governor’s Council provides “a chance to elevate Western Massachusetts people to more positions.” Fenton said no current members of the state Supreme Judicial Court, the Appellate Tax
“The council should be doing more than just reacting,” Fenton said. “They should be recruiting members of the bar, so vacancies don’t occur, or if they do, they are as short as possible.”
As a member of the Governor’s Council, Fenton said, “Investing in our judicial infrastructure would be a top priority.” He referenced the courthouses in Pittsfield and Springfield as just two of those in need of review. Particularly close to home for Fenton is the replacement for the Roderick L. Ireland Courthouse, Springfield’s district court.
“When I ran for this position four years ago, it was a campaign issue. We still don’t have a site. We deserve a first-class hall of justice for Hampden County,” Fenton said. “For a while, the state refused to acknowledge there was a problem with the Springfield courthouse. Meanwhile, people are going to work in a sick building.”
the next generation of learners,” Knapik said. “I am grateful to the students, faculty, staff and community members who assisted the Board throughout the search process. Together, we have found a leader who will elevate STCC to higher levels of achievement and excellence.”
Cournoyer holds a doctorate in Higher Education Administration from Northeastern University, a Master of Library and Information Science from the University of Rhode Island and a Bachelor of Arts in English and Spanish from Stonehill College. She has held the position of vice president for academic and student affairs at River Valley Community College since 2019. Before that, she was director of library services and academic supports at Quinebaug Valley Community College in Danielson, Connecticut.
“Springfield Technical Community College plays a vital role in transforming lives and strengthening the economic future of the region, and I am deeply honored to be selected as the College’s next president. I look forward to listening, learning, and partnering with the campus and community to advance
Fenton said there are also smaller courthouses that should also be reviewed, including ones in Chicopee and Northampton. Aside from courthouses, he said, “If there are large projects that have gone unfunded — roads, bridges — I could use the position’s proximity to the governor to advocate for that.”
For Fenton, the position in Boston would be all about Western Massachusetts. He said, “If the Governor’s Council isn’t going to advocate for this, who will?”
student success and help shape the College’s next chapter,” Cournoyer said.
Cournoyer will succeed Dr. John B. Cook, the college’s sixth president, who is stepping down on Aug. 1 after 10 years of service.
STCC distinguishes itself as the commonwealth’s only technical community college, and this unique status underscores the institution’s pride and responsibility in providing career education and pathways to its diverse student body.
The new president will build on STCC’s recent successes, including the substantial expansion of community access to health programs through the establishment of the Health Science Program, the launch of the Richard E. Neal Cybersecurity Center of Excellence, and the funding and planning for the relocation of the School of Health and Patient Simulation.
More information about the search process, including a biography of Cournoyer, can be found at stcc.edu/about-stcc/employment/presidentialsearch/. Photographs of the search committee, committee chair and board chair are available upon request.
Staff Writers: Sarah Heinonen, Deb Gardner, Amy Porter, Trent Levakis, Cliff Clark, Tyler Garnet, Peter Tuohy
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Financial Department: Nancy Banning
THE HIGH SCHOOL OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY VS SPRINGFIELD CENTRAL
VOLLEYBALL
The High School of Science and Technology hosted Springfield Central High School in a boys volleyball match on April 28, and got the 3-0 victory.
REMINDER SPORTS PHOTOS TAKEN BY DAVID HOSMER
Sci-Tech's Vashon McNeil leaps to wing the ball at the net against Central's Jasper Melton.
Sci-Tech's Jason Starzyk drives the hit towards Central's Jasper Melton.
Sci-Tech's Alex Colon tries to hit one pat the double blockers.
Central's Leonardo Leon gets ready to return the serve.
Sci-Tech's Jadiel Rodriguez winds up for the hit from the outside.
Central's Daniel Laguerre taps the ball over Sci-Tech's Yadiel Bermudez Nieves.
Sci-Tech's Jean Ribot goes up for the kill.
Sci-Tech's Yadiel Bermudez Nieves makes the back set.
Sci-Tech's Ayzeah Rivera bumps the pass on the service return.
DINING ENTERTAINMENT
New theater group introduces itself with first production
By Trent Levakis tlevakis@thereminder.com
EASTHAMPTON — In an effort to bring fresh, queer and gender diverse stories to the local theater scene, a new theater group, Why’s It Gotta Be?, has formed here in Western Massachusetts.
The group, which started in the fall, is gearing up for its first production, the dark comedy “Legoland,” which will run at CitySpace from May 22-31.
Founder, actor and president of Why’s It Gotta Be?, Devin Dumas, told Reminder Publishing that he, along with fellow peers who are now on the board of the new group, saw a gap in consistent productions related to queer and gender diverse stories and thought, why not fill this need with a fresh new group committed to offering just that?
“We really just wanted to create a consistent space for queer theater, for new theater, for gender diverse theater that we weren’t really seeing in the area,” said Dumas. “And that’s not at anyone else, there’s absolutely wonderful theater in the area, like K&E does great stuff, Easthampton Theater Company does great stuff, Exit 7 does
great stuff. But some of us found ourselves in a position where we always seemed to be waiting to see who would announce the next queer-based show, or the next gender diverse show, or the next new thing, rather than something that had been done several times before. So, I grabbed a couple people that I was close with and was like, ‘hey why don’t we just make something that’s consistent for that,’ so we did.”
Dumas explained that he wanted the mission and goals of the group to be clear and present in its name.
“I came up with it because I’m 27, and I’m very vocal about wanting to see queer relationships expressed healthy in media, and I was often asked, ‘Oh, well, why’s it gotta be gay? Why’s it gotta be queer? Why’s it gotta be trans? Why’s it gotta be all these things?’
And you get so tired of hearing that to a point that it’s almost like how queer used to be a slur and we reclaimed it as an identity. I’m almost reclaiming that for us now. You can’t tell us ‘Why’s it gotta be’ anymore because that’s the whole point now. ‘Why’s it gotta be queer?’ Because that’s our whole thing,” said Dumas.
With that said, Dumas and
the group feel that the best way to kick things off is with a production of Jacob Richmond’s dark comedy, “Legoland.” The play tells the story of Penny and Ezra Lamb, siblings who have been home-schooled on a hippie colony their whole lives and dying to get out.
ters are starring in this production as Penny and Ezra Lamb. Both actors have worked with Dumas before and with some of the other local groups as well. Both shared that they are eager to be part of the first production from the group.
After a failed attempt at connection in Walmart, the commune is busted, and the siblings — each seething with repression — are enrolled in a Catholic private school where they are instant social outcasts. A cross-continental adventure ensues for the two siblings through this irreverently dark story bursting with originality, bringing audiences along for the ride in an engaging fashion as the Lamb siblings are prying for connection any way they can get it.
“Legoland” opens at CitySpace on Friday, May 22, at 7:30 p.m. The rest of the shows will take place on May 23 at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., May 24 at 2 p.m, May 29 at 7:30 p.m., May 30 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m., and on May 31 at 2 p.m. The show contains adult language, according to organizers.
General tickets are $25 and available for purchase online at wigbtheater.org/legoland. During the run on May 26 at 7:30 p.m., the group will also host a fundraiser called Mid-Run Drag Trivia night inside CitySpace to support the newly formed group.
Dumas is directing “Legoland” and shared that this play has always been a production he wanted to be a part of.
“I actually said I didn’t want to do ‘Legoland’ first because I knew people knew it was something that I really, really wanted to do. I didn’t want to seem like I started this theater group so I could do ‘Legoland.’ But then ... we decided that ‘Legoland’ from a public-facing standpoint was the most approachable title out of anything,” explained Dumas. “The play has nothing to do with Legos, but we figured a dark comedy that really gets a little gritty and is just fast paced backto-back-to-back, and has this cool title ‘Legoland,’ that draws people in, and we can just make this really colorful, fun, inviting and interactive immersive show. We just decided, let’s try that.”
Julia Adamo and Terrance Pe-
“The wonderful thing about both the Massachusetts and Connecticut community theater is it’s a very small world, and so I had known Devin a little,” said Peters. “When I’d seen this new group that a lot of folks that I respect and like working with were very supportive, and then [I] saw they were doing ‘Legoland,’ a script that has been on my radar for so long and is very rarely done, even though I think it’s such a fantastic script, I decided to put my foot through.”
Peters said he is a big fan of any group that puts its community first, and added that when he learned about the story behind the group’s name and mission statement, he knew Why’s It Gotta Be? is committed to creating a welcoming environment.
Adamo, also a board member for the group, shared similar sentiments about the opportunity to be a part of the group’s first production. Having worked with Dumas through a production he directed through Exit 7, Adamo considers Dumas a great connector in the local theater space.
“He has this remarkable way of just bringing people together and creating such a sense of community around queer art that I was like anything I can do with Devin I want to do,” she said.
Adamo said that Dumas’ vision for the group is meaningful as it adds a niche within the larger and overall healthy local theater scene in the area.
“There is such a robust theater scene in the Western Mass. area, and we’re really grateful for that, and there’s so many enthusiastic performers, and there are so many amazing productions going on, so it’s a really wonderful and supportive community with a lot of people who are doing really cool, really fresh and interesting work,” Adamo said. “But the idea that we can find our niche within this larger scene while consistently prioritizing really fresh and diverse work, just feels really exciting.”
Future goals
Dumas already has long-term visions for what is possible for the new cadre. Specifically, he hopes to one day purchase sound and lighting equipment for the cadre, offer stipends to makers and artists, produce in-house and audio film productions, and ultimately secure a space to utilize for performances and rehearsals to outsource to other developing and independent artists.
Dumas said that he hopes the group can add a multimedia aspect to their work, as well. Along with his background in theater, Dumas also has a background in audio drama storytelling and hopes to add that to their repertoire.
“I really view audio drama as a form of theater art, film as a form of theater art. I’d really like to see us at some point further down the road be able to reach out to people who are interested, if not performing on stage, perhaps performing behind a screen or behind a microphone, and creating space to tell fresh stories, queer stories, different stories in that format,” Dumas added. “We’re doing this for us, we’re doing this to share art, we’re doing this to tell stories, we’re doing this for audiences. We’re not doing this to make fortunes, we’re doing this to share visions, so if we can help other artists by providing a space five, 10, 15 years down the line, that’s the goal too.”
In the meantime, as the group grows from its infancy, Dumas hopes to facilitate more shows. Simultaneously, the plan is to keep an eye out for a permanent home, hopefully in Easthampton or Northampton, but the group is open to any opportunities in the region.
“We definitely are gravitating a little bit more towards Northampton and Easthampton when we do events just because there’s a lot of performance space and a lot of people that we feel will resonate with these stories, but we’re open to anywhere within the area,” said Dumas. “We really hope that we can get audiences in that these stories resonate with, but also performers that these stories resonate with, because we do it for both of them. And just really hoping we can continue with our long-term creative goals as well.”
To learn more about Why’s It Gotta Be? visit wigbtheater.org.
Terrance Peters (left) and Julia Adamo (right) star in Why’s It Gotta Be? Theater Group’s first production, “Legoland.”
Photo credit: Why’s It Gotta Be? Theater Group
EAST LONGMEADOW
Daniel M. Edwards to Halil Ibrahim Kuzu, 1650 Longmeadow St.
Jeffrey W. Trace to Maria E. Barrett, 112 Grassy Cutter Road
Freida D. Ramaswamy Revocable Indenture of Trust of, trustee of, to Amanda J. Mercado,
SPRINGFIELD
49 Euclid LLC, to SA Banbury LLC, 49 Euclid Ave.
716 Spring Valley LLC, to Isaiah Williams, 914-916 Belmont Ave.
Andrea M. O’Connor, receiver, and Spring Park Properties Inc., to Courtney Lemelin, 18 Hillside Drive
Andrew C. Robbins and Patrick Robbins to Sareen Properties LLC, 89 Judson St.
Annette B. Eatmon and Charlotte L. Williams to Bridget Lorraine Pollard, 135-137 Suffolk St.
Aurelia Soriano to Ibrahim Aljashaam, 119 Littleton St. $195,000 Claire Carter to Jhimly Bienvenu and Beatrice Rosier Bienvenu, 62 Washburn St. $467,000
Direct Auto Realty East Inc., to Axis Holdings LLC, 880 Boston Road
Dominic J. Savio to Janequa Davis, 509 Plumtree Road
Emily Le to Keisha Green, Nigel Greaves and Caryl Greaves, 35 Spruceland Ave.
Emtay Inc., to Jennifer Robblets and Kyle Godet, 27 Parallel St.
Enelida Reyes to Jonathan Garcia, 10 Pine Street Court
Fannie Mae and Federal National Mortgage Association to Global Homes Properties
