Wilbraham
Wilbraham residents concerned about future of community garden
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.
Unsafe property, emergency equipment, ARPA discussed by board
WILBRAHAM — Wilbraham is taking action to secure the property at 176 Cottage Ave. that the Select Board says presents a safety issue. The town has been in contact with the owner’s lawyer, without the issues being addressed.
Students’ view of schools, academic achievement is mixed
WILBRAHAM — The Hampden-Wilbraham Regional School District has made some gains since last year, but there is still work to be done. That was the takeaway from the accountability report presented by Superintendent John Provost at the Dec. 19 School Committee meeting.
Change is the theme of this year’s Year in Review
Change — or resistance to it — was a common theme in the area in 2024. Reminder Publishing took a look back at some of the stories that took precedence over the past year in East Longmeadow, Longmeadow, Hampden and Wilbraham.
New veterans service officer hired, but Sasen’s impact not forgotten
WILBRAHAM — The Wilbraham Select Board voted to hire Patrick Renna as its new director of veterans’ services, filling the role left vacant by Jered Sasen. However, the interview process left no question as to the impact Sasen has had on veterans and the town.
Wilbraham looks for vendor to design, build broadband network
WILBRAHAM — Wilbraham first began exploring alternatives to existing commercial internet options in late 2012. By 2014, voters had approved the creation of a Municipal Light Plant, a structure required to operate town-owned utilities under state law. Ten years later, Wilbraham does not yet have a municipally owned broadband internet network, but that might be changing.
New HWRSD finance head plans to be ‘transparent,’ ‘open and honest’
WILBRAHAM — After an exhaustive search, the Hampden-Wilbraham Regional School Committee authorized Superintendent John Provost to hire Douglas Slaughter to be the district’s new assistant superintendent of Finance, Operations and Human Resources.
Wilbraham tax rate decreases, Select Board considers HERO Act
WILBRAHAM — Historically, Wilbraham has used a single tax rate, with all property owners paying the same amount per $1,000 of property value. On Nov. 4, the Select Board chose to continue the practice for fiscal year 2026.
The Guilty Grape officially opens in Wilbraham
WILBRAHAM — Local wine and beer store The Guilty Grape has officially opened its doors to customers.
Springfield Thunderbirds host annual School Day Game
SPRINGFIELD — Thousands of area school children had the opportunity to see the Springfield Thunderbirds play their annual School Day Game with a 10:30 a.m. puck drop on Nov. 6.
