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Leyden

Leyden puts off budget, other votes

Sunday, May 19, 2013

LEYDEN — Voters tabled votes on the town’s budget and several capital expenditures at Saturday’s annual town meeting. With member towns’ shares of the Pioneer Valley Regional School District budget still subject to change, Leyden decided to hold off on several money articles until more concrete numbers come out. Leyden’s share of the PVRSD budget will be the least of the four member towns, because it has the lowest enrollment. … 0

Spatcher takes Leyden Planning Board seat by three votes

Sunday, May 19, 2013

LEYDEN — Clifford Spatcher will be the newest member of the town’s Planning Board, after Saturday’s annual town election. Spatcher ran against incumbent Warren Facey Jr., and won 42-39. Leyden saw a 15 percent turnout at the polls, with 82 of 535 registered voters casting ballots. John Rogers was elected to a three-year term on the Board of Assessors. He will replace Bruce … 0

Money for machines

Friday, May 17, 2013

TURNERS FALLS — Manufacturers’ effort to secure $500,000 for new metal-working machines at Franklin County Technical School — to help train 21st century metal workers for local industries desperate for such workers — won another victory Wednesday: a $250,000 proposed allocation from the state’s Senate Ways and Means Committee. The Senate committee’s budget proposal said, “that not less than $250,000 shall be used … 0

Elder services gets boost in Senate budget

Friday, May 17, 2013

TURNERS FALLS — Programs that allow poor elders to receive care in their own households, instead of turning to nursing homes, will see increases in funding next year — a much needed step in the right direction, said officials that help administer elder services. “The last four years … 0

Dive team raises money for underwater radios

Sunday, May 5, 2013

Picture yourself swimming under murky water, unable to see your own hand in front of your face. The only way you can find your way through the depths is by relying on a signal rope held in your … 0

Symphony named one of area’s ‘outstanding organizations’

Friday, May 3, 2013

The Pioneer Valley Symphony, the 74-year-old community symphony and orchestra based in Greenfield, will be honored next week as one of the area’s “outstanding organizations.” The symphony will be one of four recipients honored at New England Public Radio’s 5th annual Arts and Humanities Gala on Tuesday night … 0

Still no budget for Pioneer

Friday, May 3, 2013

NORTHFIELD — With the total Pioneer Valley Regional School budget still uncertain and member towns budgeting for a four percent increase on their shares of it, a number of cuts may be made in the coming school year. “We are in dire straits,” said William Wahlstrom, chairman of … 0

Meetings for week of May 6

Friday, May 3, 2013

ASHFIELD Annual town meeting/election: Today 10 a.m. in Town Hall. Board of Assessors: Monday 6 p.m. in Town Hall. Conservation Commission: Wednesday 7:30 p.m. in Town Hall. BERNARDSTON Planning Board: Monday 6:30 p.m. in Antonio’s Pizza. Cultural Council: Monday 6:30 p.m. in Town Hall. Agricultural Commission: Tuesday 7:30 … 0

Six area towns make list of ‘best places to live’ in Mass.

Friday, May 3, 2013

Six Franklin County towns have made the Boston Globe’s “Top 25 Places to Live in Massachusetts” list. Shelburne, Leverett, Rowe, Greenfield, Northfield and Gill all made the list, which can be found on Boston.com. The Globe did an online survey of its readers, saying it wanted to match … 0

Neighbors: Dinosaurs at GCC next week

Thursday, May 2, 2013

Hello neighbor. I have spent a good deal of time with dinosaurs over the past six months or so. Grandson Justin is absolutely fascinated and sometimes mesmerized by them. He calls them “Big Das,” because he can’t quite say “dinosaur” yet. I mention this because on Wednesday at … 1

Deerfield voters back keeping Baystate services in Greenfield

Tuesday, April 30, 2013

DEERFIELD — Voters here have overwhelmingly supported a resolution calling on Baystate Health System to keep services and resources at the Baystate Franklin Medical Center in Greenfield. At its Monday annual town meeting, Deerfield was the first of 10 Franklin County towns to vote on the resolution. It … 0

In service of education, community

Sunday, April 28, 2013

NORTHFIELD — For many, spending 35 years working in the same position would be considered a career. Patricia Shearer of Northfield just considers it doing her part. She joined the School Committee of the Pioneer Valley Regional School … 0

GCC taps Bilodeau as Distinguished Alum

Sunday, April 28, 2013

When former Deerfield police officer Christopher Bilodeau, 39, got the call that he had been selected by the GCC Distinguished Alumni Committee to receive the 2013 award, his first words were “I am honored to have been chosen.” … 0