Hilltowns
No contested races on ballot yet after Russell’s town caucus
RUSSELL — At the Russell Town Caucus on April 25, the nominations were almost all for current committee members, according to Town Clerk Kim Morgan. Morgan said the only new nomination was Jody Genovese for library trustee, a seat formerly filled by Gloria Farrell....
School cost down, salaries up as Tolland budget vote is set
TOLLAND — Selectman Steve DellaGiustina doesn’t think there will be much controversy at this year’s Annual Town Meeting.
Huntington Food Pantry appeals to towns for help as numbers increase
HUNTINGTON — The Huntington Food Pantry is reaching out to the communities that it serves for support, something that it has not often done in its decades-long service of providing food to families in the 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...