SPRINGFIELD — At the Hampden County Sheriff’s picnic on Aug. 21, Holyoke Mayor Joshua Garcia sat down with Reminder Publishing’s “So That Reminds Me” podcast team to discuss the city’s exit from receivership, an upcoming Holyoke ballot question on the Community Preservation Act surcharge and curbing violence in the city.
SOUTH HADLEY — During its Aug. 6 meeting, the Selectboard met with Police Chief Jennifer Gundersen to discuss the police staffing study draft report.
On June 20, the Northampton City Council voted down the fiscal year 2025 budget after three councilors voted against it because it did not include a requested 14% budget increase for the schools, as approved by the School Committee at a meeting in April. The 14% budget increase would have ensured a level-service budget and no cuts to positions.
EASTHAMPTON — After an impassioned argument from City Councilor Koni Denham to replace the Pledge of Allegiance with a moment of silence at some City Council meetings, the council voted to add a moment of silence of up to one minute after the pledge.