Southwick
Sheriff’s Department to halt Congamond Lakes patrols
SOUTHWICK — Hampden County Sheriff Nick Cocchi announced on March 25 the commonwealth was withholding $26 million in funding, which is forcing him to make significant cuts to the department’s budget, including eliminating water safety patrols on Congamond Lakes.
Southwick’s sewer rates see small increase, subsidy unchanged
SOUTHWICK — Unchanged for nearly a year and a half, the sewer rates for residents and businesses will increase slightly starting April 1, while the town’s subsidy to offset the sewer department’s annual shortfall will remain unchanged.
Southwick’s Town Meeting meals tax vote could come down to principle
SOUTHWICK — Ever since the Select Board, in a split vote, decided to include on the upcoming Town Meeting warrant an article asking for an up or down vote on levying a meals tax of 75 cents on $100 spent, a debate on the issue has raged on the social media sites devoted to Southwick, prompting one former Select Board member to weigh in on it.
Area chambers of commerce partner to Fill the Food Bank
For the past few years, six area chambers of commerce have banded together to address a need that affects the people they serve across Hampden County — food insecurity.
Moglin raises questions about proposed Southwick dog park
SOUTHWICK — When representatives of the Friends of the Southwick Dog Park announced it had a site just off Hudson Drive, they acknowledged that the property would bisect the proposed route of the Sam West/Hudson Drive connector, which one Select Board member said he has reservations about.
Southwick Select Board split on supporting meals tax
SOUTHWICK — The discussion held by the Select Board before it decided to support having Town Meeting vote up or down on implementing a meals tax in town might be described as snippy.
Pioneer Valley Trading Co. wants opportunity to grow marijuana
SOUTHWICK — When the owner of Pioneer Valley Trading Co. agreed to a host agreement with the town to open a recreational marijuana dispensary, he said that he would eventually return to ask for permission to start a grow operation, which he did during the Select Board meeting on March 2.
Southwick’s motion to dismiss water bill lawsuit denied
SPRINGFIELD — A Hampden Superior Court judge two weeks ago denied Southwick’s motion to dismiss a lawsuit filed against the town by the limited liability company of an assisted living facility.
Gem Marina asks Planning Board to convert boat slips to long-term
SOUTHWICK — The Planning Board closed a public hearing on a request by the owner of Gem Marina at 141 Congamond Road asking it to modify its special permit to allow it to convert four of its transient-use boat slips, which now total 16, to increase the number of long-term slip rentals to 28.
Southwick snow removal costs rise but stay below last year’s total
SOUTHWICK — With one snow event after another over the last two and a half months, the DPW continues to rack up snow removal costs, but as much snow as the town has gotten, there’s a possibility the cost won’t exceed last year’s.