SOUTHWICK — Since the town learned in early January that a citizens’ petition adopted by two consecutive Town Meetings asking the state to allow the town to elect three of the seven members of the Conservation Commission, there were questions about the next step, until Monday night.
LONGMEADOW — Longmeadow has experienced a period of growth in its operating stabilization fund, which now has a balance of about $8 million. Rather than allow the funds to continue growing well beyond the optimum balance, Finance Director Ian Coddington asked the Select Board, “Is there a better use of the funds?”
SPRINGFIELD — A new iteration of a memorandum of understanding that lets police patch into school cameras in live time during an emergency is about to pass the School Committee.
HUNTINGTON — The Huntington Fire Department has two new canine members. “Duke,” a 3-year-old golden retriever owned by Assistant Fire Chief John McVeigh is training as a therapy dog for first responders. “Luna,” a 7-month-old Belgian Malinois owned by Firefighter Nicholas Perry is training for search and rescue. Both firefighters intend to make the dogs available to the wider community once fully trained and certified.
WESTFIELD — Although all 13 of the Allied Health students recognized in Westfield Technical Academy’s 18th annual CNA pinning ceremony on Feb. 14 have received their certificates as certified nursing assistants, their future goals in the health profession are diverse.
CHICOPEE — During the Feb. 18 City Council meeting, the council approved funding for a citywide instant messaging program that could be used during a potential crisis or to alert the entire city.