Hilltowns
Rematch selectman race highlights Chester’s May 4 town ballot
CHESTER — This year’s town election will feature a contested race for a three-year selectman term, as Craig Gauthier again aims to take the seat occupied by incumbent Brian Forgue. Both candidates spoke with Reminder Publishing about their backgrounds, goals on the...
Hilltown Ambulance makes case for large hike to keep service
HUNTINGTON — Local town officials, community members, firefighters and emergency medical services personnel attended the Hilltown Community Ambulance Association’s informational meeting on April 18 in Stanton Hall, largely offering their support to the nonprofit agency.
Otis caucus nominates incumbent, challenger for selectman
OTIS — Selectman Therese Gould will be defending her seat against challenger Susan Bauer-Brofman after both were nominated for the three-year position in the April 16 town caucus. Gould was the top vote-getter among the three candidates, with 41 votes, 64% of the...
Gateway schools awarded early childhood planning grant
HUNTINGTON — Gateway Regional has been awarded a $50,000 grant to expand access to affordable high-quality preschool through the Commonwealth Preschool Partnership Initiative. The Healey-Driscoll administration announced on April 4 that 16 school districts would be...
Nicole Berndt reelected to Granville Selectboard for third term
GRANVILLE — Incumbent Selectboard member Nicole Berndt won her third three-year term on the board after receiving 32 more votes than her challenger Anthony “Tony” Novak. Out of 348 votes cast, Berndt got 190 or 54.6% to Novak’s 158 or 45.4%, according to Granville...
Credit fair teaches Greater Westfield teens to balance books
WESTFIELD — Four hundred seniors and juniors from Westfield High School, Westfield Technical Academy, Southwick Regional School, St. Mary’s High School, Smith Academy, White Oak School, Lower Pioneer Valley Educational Collaborative and Gateway Regional High School gathered in two sessions on April 3 at the Credit for Life Fair at Westfield High School for an exercise in “real-world” finances from experts in the field.
Sen. Velis hosts roundtable on overdoses in rural towns
RUSSELL — State legislators, recovery coaches, doctors and people with experiences of substance use disorder gathered at Russell Town Hall on April 1 for about three hours to discuss opioid overdoses in rural Massachusetts communities. State Sen. John Velis...
Hilltown Ambulance meeting will show how costs outpace revenues
Bailey Jones, service director, and Jade Rice, chief financial officer in front of Hilltown Community Ambulance’s newest ambulance, a 2011 Ford 650 purchased last year for $75,000. Reminder Publishing photo by Amy Porter HUNTINGTON — Bailey Jones, service director,...
Westfield, Gateway students ready to ‘Match Wits’ on air — but some will wait
WESTFIELD — Students at three local high schools polished their trivia skills and got their buzzer fingers ready for “As Schools Match Wits” this year, and two of them will be on the air this month. “As Schools Match Wits” is produced by WGBY, Springfield’s public...
Granville Selectboard chair faces challenge in April 8 election
GRANVILLE — When residents head to the polls for the annual town election on Monday, April 8, the only contested seat is on the Selectboard, with incumbent and current board Chair Nicole Berndt being challenged by Anthony “Tony” Novak. Other than asking Berndt to...