WESTFIELD — Two days after being sworn in for his third term on Jan. 1, state Rep. Kelly Pease spoke about his priorities for his next term, which he said remain the same: education, roads, the elderly and clean water.
The year has barely begun, and already there are fellow Americans facing devastation from a natural disaster. The six wildfires burning across swaths of California have destroyed homes and businesses, and wiped out support services such as medical centers, schools and churches.
WILBRAHAM — It was standing room only at the Jan. 6 Select Board meeting as about two dozen residents attended to express their concern about the future of the community garden. For several years, Melissa Graves, the administrative assistant for Wilbraham’s Conservation Commission, has managed the garden outside her normal duties. With Graves’ impending retirement, Wilbraham’s gardeners are wondering what will become of their pastime.
EAST LONGMEADOW — Recycling is more common than ever, with 69.1 million tons recycled in 2018, the latest year for which there is data from the federal Environmental Protection Agency. However, recycling is expensive for cities and towns. The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection offers grants as part of its Recycling Dividends Program. This year, East Longmeadow was awarded $17,600.
LONGMEADOW — Hebrew singing carried over the Town Green as scores of families, elected officials and community leaders watched as Lubavitcher Yeshiva Academy’s Rabbi Noah Kosofsky lit the sixth torch atop the community’s menorah, commemorating Hanukkah.
WEST SPRINGFIELD — The town of West Springfield is currently in the conceptual phase of the proposed Piper Road redesign, which, when finished, will hopefully provide a much safer passageway for drivers and pedestrians.