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By GREG VINE

ATHOL – After five and a half years on the job, Athol Treasurer/Collector Patrick McIntyre is vacating his office at Town Hall to take a similar position in Acton.

By SAM DRYSDALE

Looking to keep pressure on what they deem an untransparent and ineffective Legislature, a coalition of unlikely allies is considering whether to bring two “good governance” measures straight to voters via the ballot.

By MAX BOWEN

ROYALSTON — The town’s Building Committee was found to have violated Open Meeting Law when it held a meeting with an incorrect time posted, according to the Attorney General’s Office.

By GREG VINE

ATHOL –A total of 166 voters completed the 49-article Town Meeting warrant in just under two hours Monday night.

By GREG VINE

ROYALSTON – With relatively little discussion, voters at Saturday’s Annual Town Meeting approved three Proposition 2½ overrides.

By COLIN A. YOUNG

The Joint Committee on Environment and Natural Resources got its feet wet Tuesday, diving into testimony on bills dealing with water.

By GREG VINE

ATHOL – Voters will be asked to decide on 49 articles when they gather for Athol’s Annual Town Meeting Monday. The meeting begins at 7 p.m. in Memorial Hall at Town Hall.

By GREG VINE

PETERSHAM – With very little discussion, the 120 voters who showed up for Petersham’s Annual Town Meeting Monday evening unanimously approved a FY26 town operating budget of $1,979,739.

By GREG VINE

PHILLIPSTON – The town’s Historical Society will honor the late Opal Clark with an exhibit illustrating her many contributions to the town over the years.

By ELLA ADAMS

Representing their experiences living through the child welfare system, a multi-generational ensemble of performers took center stage Wednesday at the State House as service providers and child welfare advocates called on the state to support key programs.

By GREG VINE

WINCHENDON — At their annual Town Meeting on Monday, voters in Winchendon voted overwhelmingly to support a $1.9 million Proposition 2½ override. The margin, 61% to 39%, was a bit of a surprise given that the override passed at the May 5 town election by a mere 12 votes out 1,780 cast. A total of 815 registered voters showed up for the Town Meeting.

By GREG VINE

ATHOL — For the third consecutive year, Athol’s Water Division in the Department of Public Works has received an award for “noteworthy performance” from the state Department of Environmental Protection. The award was presented to 15 communities in the Large & Medium Community Systems category during a ceremony held in Boston on May 9.

By GREG VINE

ATHOL — Athol’s Finance and Warrant Advisory Committee on Tuesday began its review of the proposed warrant for June’s annual Town Meeting. While the committee did recommend passage of most of the four dozen articles on the warrant, members decided to wait until its next meeting on May 19 to consider Town Manager Shaun Suhoski’s proposed FY26 town budget of approximately $26.5 million. FWAC chair Ken Duffy explained that Suhoski is currently working to complete negotiations with four unions representing town employees.

By ALISON KUZNITZ

Municipal leaders clamoring for greater authority over the number of alcohol licenses available in their cities and towns once again urged lawmakers Monday to adopt reforms previously embraced by top Beacon Hill Democrats.

By GREG VINE

ATHOL – In the wake of recent resignations, town officials are seeking residents willing to serve on the Town Energy Committee or the Municipal Decarbonization Task Force.

By GREG VINE

PHILLIPSTON – Voters breezed through Wednesday’s Annual Town Meeting with very little discussion – until they reached Article 32, the final article on the warrant.

By GREG VINE

PHILLIPSTON – Voters face a 32-article warrant at Wednesday’s Annual Town Meeting, which begins at 7 p.m. at the Phillipston Memorial Building, 20 The Common.

By GREG VINE

ATHOL – At its meeting Tuesday night, the Selectboard reviewed the draft warrant for the June 9 Annual Town Meeting, which will include the proposed $26.4 million FY26 budget.

By GREG VINE

ATHOL — Selectboard member Andy Sujdak has resigned from his position, following a video posted to social media in which he made disparaging remarks about town officials and threatened an unnamed person.

By ADITI THUBE

Mike Kennealy didn’t grow up dreaming of politics. He grew up in a middle-class family in Reading. His father was a steelworker, and his mother was a homemaker. From them, he inherited hard work and a deep belief in fairness.

By GREG VINE

ATHOL – Efforts to develop new signage directing Athol residents and visitors to local points of interest, recreational opportunities and municipal facilities may soon be coming to a close.