News

Proposed Colrain solar bylaw changes would add definitions, expand site plan reviews

By AALIANNA MARIETTA

COLRAIN — Revisions to the town’s solar bylaws that clarify what constitutes large-, medium- and small-scale projects and that expand the associated site plan review requirements are likely on tap for residents to consider at the June 4 Annual Town...

Beacon Hill Roll Call: April 8 to April 12, 2024

By BOB KATZEN

Beacon Hill Roll Call records local senators’ votes on a roll call from the week of April 8 to April 12. There were no roll calls in the House last week.$375 million for roads and bridges (H 4529) The Senate, 39-0, approved a bill that includes...

PHOTOS: Convening for a good cause

Shelter money fading, but ‘not at the end of the line’

By CHRIS LISINSKI and SAM DRYSDALE

BOSTON — State dollars for the emergency family shelter system are dwindling, and restaurateurs who for years enjoyed expanded outdoor dining and the ability to sell drinks to go remain “in limbo” amid a sustained period of legislative...

Survey shows Northfield residents want new development — but not near their homes

By ANTHONY CAMMALLERI

NORTHFIELD — Residents want new restaurants, commercial activity, housing and business development in town, Grant Development Director Leslie Roberts told the Selectboard this week — just “not on their own streets.” Roberts presented the results of...

Quabbin Reservoir opens for fishing season on Saturday

By MIKE ROCHE

It’s finally that time of year again — the Quabbin Reservoir will open for fishing on Saturday, April 20, at 6 a.m.The reservoir serves as the principal drinking water supply for 3 million of Massachusetts’ roughly 7 million residents. Since 1946,...

Greenfield City Council approves borrowing $1.18M for Main Street redesign, sewer repairs

By ANTHONY CAMMALLERI

GREENFIELD — City Council approved a combined $1.18 million in borrowing for the Main Street redesign project and for significant sewer system repairs aimed to bring the city in compliance with a state Department of Environmental Protection consent...

Greenfield Notebook: April 19, 2024

YMCA to host Healthy Kids Day GREENFIELD — Franklin County’s YMCA at 451 Main St. will host its annual Healthy Kids Day on Saturday, April 20, at 11 a.m. This free event features a variety of family-friendly activities to encourage healthy kids,...

Ashfield considers seeking ‘Climate Leader’ designation

By DOMENIC POLI

ASHFIELD — About 35 people turned out to Town Hall on Wednesday for a forum about the possibility of getting Ashfield a “Climate Leader” designation from the state and what that would entail.The Energy Committee hosted Chris Mason from the state...

Man granted parole for role in 2001 deaths of 2 Dartmouth College professors

By KATHY McCORMACK

A man who has served more than half of his life in prison for his role in the 2001 stabbing deaths of two married Dartmouth College professors as part of a plan to rob and kill people before fleeing overseas was granted parole Thursday.James Parker...

LaunchSpace’s ReMake Festival returning for second year in Orange

ORANGE — LaunchSpace will hold its second annual ReMake Festival on Saturday to share ways to leverage makerspaces that provide space and equipment to repair, reuse and upcycle everyday items.The free event, scheduled from 1 to 4 p.m., is packed with...

New owners look to build on Thomas Memorial Golf & Country Club’s strengths

By GRACE LEE

TURNERS FALLS — Members of the Snow family have added another golf course to their portfolio and have already begun work on cosmetic improvements.Kyle and Kelly Snow, along with Kyle’s parents Edward Snow Jr. and Kerrilynn Snow, bought the Thomas...

Gun buyback event collects 195 unwanted firearms

The two-county gun buyback event held by the Northwestern District Attorney’s Office on April 13 collected 195 unwanted firearms, one of which was an antique that was subsequently donated to the Springfield Armory.The event was held at the Greenfield...

Quabbin region studied for MWRA expansion

By SAM DRYSDALE

As House Democrats eye the expansion of its public drinking water service area, the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA) is considering whether the communities where that water comes from should finally get to reap the benefits of the...

Prices up, sales down in early spring housing market

By COLIN A. YOUNG

The signs of spring are all around: the days are getting warmer, baseball is back and Massachusetts home prices are setting records as demand continues to outpace the inventory of houses for sale.The real estate analysts at The Warren Group reported...

Real Estate Transactions: April 19, 2024

ATHOL 124 Cottage St. $422,000. B: Raul A. Luzardo. S: Richard Holdings LLC. 804 Cottage St. $380,000. B: Choctaw American Insurance Inc. S: Cal-Mek Enterprises Inc. 88 Drury Ave. $250,000. B: Kurtis D. Plourde and Olivia Plourde. S: John J....

Business Briefs: April 19, 2024

Tractor Supply Co. hosting two events GREENFIELD — Tractor Supply Co. at 72 Newton St. will host a backyard poultry event and a Plant-a-Seed event, both on Saturday, April 20.The backyard poultry event will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., providing...

County cleanups on tap for Earth Day

By DOMENIC POLI

Residents across Franklin County plan to get their hands dirty in celebration of Earth Day, with various cleanup events on the horizon.In Colrain, residents can roll up their sleeves and pick up roadside litter as part of “Spruce Up Colrain.” There is...

Fire scorches garage on Homestead Avenue in Greenfield

By ANTHONY CAMMALLERI

GREENFIELD — No one was injured after a garage at 42 Homestead Ave. caught fire Wednesday afternoon.Firefighters could be seen hosing down the detached garage at approximately 1 p.m. as smoke poured out of it. According to Fire Chief Robert Strahan,...