North Quabbin Notes, Nov. 13

Starrett hosts Manufacturing Day for communityATHOL — The L.S. Starrett Companyopened its doors to students and the community on Oct. 6 for Manufacturing Day at Starrett Corporate Headquarters, located at 121 Crescent Street, Athol. Manufacturing Day...

Oral history project revisits Kinder Morgan pipeline opposition

By MARY BYRNE

NORTHFIELD — Residents from Northfield and surrounding communities packed the Community Bible Church Sunday night for what felt like a second hurrah seven years after the defeat of the Kinder Morgan NED Pipeline.“It’s wonderful to see so many familiar...

House files provision to bring back repealed SNAP policy

By SAM DRYSDALE

BOSTON — The House has added a provision to a spending bill that would reinstate a state policy repealed two decades ago to offer Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits to immigrants in the country legally, but who are not...

Amid housing crisis, Massachusetts subsidizes market-rate units

By JAIMEE FRANCIS

BOSTON — A housing development program for Massachusetts’ 26 gateway cities that was a key part of the new tax relief bill is raising questions about what is “market rate.”The Housing Development Incentive Program (HDIP) has subsidized millions of...

Volunteers needed for downtown decorating in Athol

By GREG VINE

ATHOL — The Holiday Decorating Committee is looking for volunteers to contribute two hours to decorate the downtown area in preparation for Santa’s annual visit and help celebrate the season.The committee is looking for about 20 volunteers — but the...

Otter River Pub owner plans to reopen after fire

By MAX BOWEN

TEMPLETON — Following a devastating fire at the Otter River Pub & Red Onion Pool Hall, owner Matt Black has been hard at work to open the doors once again.In late September, a fire caused significant damage to the historical building’s second and...

Supporters of rent control ballot question end efforts

By CHRIS LISINSKI

BOSTON — Voters will not be asked next year whether Massachusetts should revive local-option rent control after organizers working on a 2024 ballot question suspended their campaign late Friday.After facing pushback from other housing justice and...

Climate chief calls for changes

By STELLA TANNENBAUM

Massachusetts’ efforts to meet its net zero goals and measure up to neighboring states may mean an overhaul of energy efficiency program Mass Save, according to Climate Chief Melissa Hoffer’s recent report.The state’s Clean Energy and Climate Plan...

LGBTQ+ veterans feature in Healey's omnibus benefits bill

By SAM DRYSDALE

BOSTON — Calling it “historic,” Gov. Maura Healey unveiled legislation this week — timed to coincide with Veterans Day — that will increase benefits, modernize services and promote inclusivity for hundreds of thousands of Massachusetts veterans.Filed...

New Junior ROTC program exposes Mahar students to military service in Orange

By DOMENIC POLI

ORANGE — Retired Lt. Col. Glenn Scott noticed a few snafus in one of Ralph C. Mahar Regional School’s Army Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps demonstrations on Thursday. But that’s not uncommon for a program barely 2½ months old.“I think it went...

Winchendon Veterans Day ceremony calls for healing of those who served

By GREG VINE

WINCHENDON – More than 100 people filled the chapel at Veterans Memorial Cemetery on Saturday to honor the men and women who have served in the Armed Forces over the course of the nation’s history.The crowd was welcomed by the cemetery’s...

Union 28 begins search for new school superintendent

By SCOTT MERZBACHand DOMENIC POLI

SHUTESBURY — A search is underway for a new superintendent to oversee the Erving School Union 28, a district that includes four elementary schools serving preschool through sixth-grade students in Shutesbury, Leverett, Erving, Wendell and New...

State Rep. Blais and Sen. Comerford to “remedy small towns” with bill

By LIESEL NYGARD

As a way to “remedy small towns,” state Rep. Natalie Blais and state Sen. Jo Comerford have filed a bill that would allow fire and police officials to work until age 72. Due to state law, emergency services personnel such as police officers and...

Franklin County school ceremonies thank veterans for their service

By CHRIS LARABEE and JULIAN MENDOZA

In anticipation of Veterans Day on Saturday, Erving Elementary School took the time to thank locals for their military service early.Reprising tradition, Erving Elementary School staff and students celebrated the military service of around two dozen...

Senate will press for prescription drug cost relief

By CHRIS LISINSKI

BOSTON — Patients would pay no more than $25 for certain name-brand medications to treat some chronic illnesses and face no costs whatsoever for similar generic options under the latest prescription drug legislation set to emerge in the Senate.Senate...

Mariano defends House call for overflow shelter site

By COLIN A. YOUNG

After weeks of maintaining distance from Gov. Maura Healey’s handling of the state’s emergency shelter capacity crisis, the House is likely to approve a legislative directive that Healey establish a shelter overflow site — and the move is revealing...

Athol officials approve order of conditions for hotel access road

By GREG VINE

ATHOL – Town Manager Shaun Suhoski informed the Selectboard at its meeting on Nov. 7 of an order of conditions allowing for the design of an access road into property identified as a potential site for a hotel/convention center.The site—owned by the...

Sportsman’s Corner: Training pays off

By Mike RocheThis week’s column will be about the great upland hunt in the southern Berkshires last week with Steve Williams and Wayne MacCallum. But first, this writer will exercise some editorial liberty to celebrate an event that took place last...

Athol residents warned about phone scam for property taxes

By MAX BOWEN

ATHOL — Residents are warned against giving out personal information when called about their next round of property tax bills.At the Tuesday, Nov. 7, Selectboard meeting, Principal Assessor Lisa Aldrich said that earlier that day she had spoken with a...

North Quabbin Notes, Nov. 9

Historical Hike Between Time and TreesATHOL — Want to learn about the history of the land? Find out how tree resilience can give hope for the future? On Nov. 18, Mount Grace will partner with Harvard Forest and Cutthroat Brook Tree Farm for a...