News
Area lawmakers acclimate to redrawn districts
By DOMENIC POLI
The region’s state legislators are getting acclimated to their newly redrawn districts but say their day-to-day lives won’t change much, as they were elected to represent the people, regardless of political affiliation, and who share similar...
PHOTO: Eighth-graders create government scenarios
Suhoski: Athol a leader in green communities effort
By GREG VINE
ATHOL — The town of Athol, according to Town Manager Shaun Suhoski, was an early convert in the campaign for municipalities to operate in a way that causes less harm to the environment, both locally and regionally.Recently, the town has begun...
Fire station design costs on ballot for Winchendon special Town Election
By MAX BOWEN
WINCHENDON — With a revised proposal, officials hope that a Proposition 2½ debt-exclusion override will be approved at Thursday’s special Town Election.The ballot question asks voters to exempt the town from the provisions of Proposition 2½, which...
Chauvette to step away from Athol School Committee
By GREG VINE
ATHOL — After serving in a variety of capacities for much of his adult life, Lee Chauvette has announced plans to step back from public service and not seek re-election to the Athol Royalston Regional School Committee this April.Chauvette, 57,...
PC Doctor: Protecting sensitive emails
Dear PC Doctor:I’m sending an email that has sensitive information in it. Is there a way to make it so that the recipient can’t forward it to anyone else? I do trust this person, but mistakes happen. I’m using Gmail.Thanks,Private Dear...
Consultants update Athol Selectboard on Lord Pond planning
By GREG VINE
ATHOL – Representatives of BSC Group, the Boston-based consulting firm developing plans for the greening of Lord Pond Plaza, recently brought Athol’s Selectboard up to speed on that effort.An assessment of the plaza was undertaken in 2020 under the...
PHOTO: Welcome to Wendell
Lack of funding brings end to local Upward Bound program
By DOMENIC POLI
GREENFIELD — The local Upward Bound program that moved in 2021 from Northfield Mount Hermon School to Greenfield Community College announced on Tuesday that a lack of federal funding is forcing its closure after 55 years of serving college-bound...
Climate activists celebrate new leaders, highlight work ahead
By MARY BYRNE
On her fourth day in office on Wednesday, Climate Chief Melissa Hoffer joined legislators and climate activists from across the state, including many from western Massachusetts, who gathered to celebrate the efforts of the new administration and...
Academic supports, ELA curriculum among Athol school budget priorities
By GREG VINE
ATHOL—A preliminary version of the FY24 school budget shows a focus on curriculum improvements to all grade levels, as well as a look ahead. Superintendent Matt Ehrenworth and Business Manager Leah Jack met with the Finance and Warrant Advisory...
Public health needs assessment shows little progress since 2019
By MARY BYRNE
GREENFIELD — Filling public health needs in Franklin County and North Quabbin communities saw little progress over the past three years, as evidenced by the recent Community Health Needs Assessment showcasing much of the same needs that were...
North Quabbin Notes, Jan. 12
Councils on Aging receive funding for Memory CaféATHOL—The Athol and Petersham councils on aging have been awarded funding from LifePath, Inc., and the Church Street Home Fund to create a new initiative called the North Quabbin Memory Café. The new...
Real Estate Transactions: Jan. 13, 2023
ATHOL 113 Brattle St. $163,000. B: Kevin Gianini and Mary Gianini. S: Andrew M. Pratt Family Trust and Andrew M. Pratt. 3168 Chestnut Hill Ave. $380,000. B: Richard J. Scalzi. S: Linda A. Bachman and Steven T. Johnson. 291 High St. $187,200. B:...
Northern TierPassenger Rail StudyROYALSTON — The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) is conducting a study to examine the benefits, costs, and investments necessary to implement passenger rail service from North Adams to Greenfield...
Athol Planning Board gets primer on wind turbines
By GREG VINE
ATHOL –In anticipation of a possible rewrite of zoning bylaws for the siting of wind turbines, the Board of Planning and Community Development enlisted the help of Stuart Smith, who has been involved in the industry for decades.Smith, a resident of...
Faculty, students ‘learning the ropes’ at new Fisher Hill Elementary School addition in Orange
By DOMENIC POLI
ORANGE — Tuesday’s dismissal bell marked the end of students’ first week learning inside Fisher Hill Elementary School’s new 50,000-square-foot addition, and teachers and staff say the youngsters are adapting to the new digs.“The kids seem to like it....
Some Franklin County flags don’t fly with vexillological association
By DOMENIC POLI
The designs of municipal flags in western Massachusetts generally did not fare well in a survey conducted late last year, but those associated with the towns made it clear they are proud of the banners they feel encapsulate their beloved homes.The...
Corporate affiliation between Heywood Healthcare, UMass Memorial terminated
By MAX BOWEN
Citing difficulties in the healthcare industry, a potential merger between UMass Memorial Health and Heywood Healthcare has been terminated.According to a joint statement sent by Debora Spano, media and public relations manager at UMass Memorial...
North Quabbin realtor—Housing market, and prices, should stabilize
By GREG VINE
ATHOL – When asked what the North Quabbin real estate market will do in 2023, Hometown Realtors owner Sara Lyman believes prices will decrease, though not by much.“When you follow the economists and you look at what’s happening right now in January,...
