GREENFIELD — An Athol man will spend the next five to seven years in state prison after being found guilty of charges related to child abuse
Eric Fenton was convicted by a Franklin County Superior Court jury on two counts of indecent assault and battery on a child age 14 or younger
and single counts of open and gross lewdness and intimidation of a witness
Judge John Agostini rendered his sentence after hearing from prosecutors and Isaac Mass
chief of the Child Protection Unit at the Northwestern District Attorney’s Office
said this was the most egregious assault and battery case she has seen
Fenton victimized a 6-year-old girl who was known to him
Mass told Agostini that this case never should have gone to trial
He said Fenton took responsibility for his actions when he was arraigned in Orange District Court before it was transferred to Superior Court due to its severity
Mass said his client intended to accept a plea bargain
but objected to certain facts presented by the prosecution as part of the deal
The jury acquitted him on one count of aggravated rape and abuse of a child and one count of indecent assault and battery on a child age 14 or younger
The victim’s mother read a victim-impact statement in which she said the emotional damage Fenton inflicted “is too much for anyone to handle.”
“You destroyed an innocent little girl,” she read before reading a similar statement from the victim’s stepfather
Assistant District Attorney Jillian Parent read an impact statement from the victim’s biological father
“[This ordeal] has killed trust in people we should be able to trust with our kids,” the statement read
Fenton was also sentenced to seven years of probation following his incarceration and he must register as a sex offender upon release
Reach Domenic Poli at: dpoli@recorder.com or 413-930-4120
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PHILLIPSTON – Voters face a 32-article warrant at Wednesday’s Annual Town Meeting
voters will consider a proposed FY26 municipal budget of just over $2.8 million
an increase of about 7% over the current budget of $2.6 million
While most line items reflect modest increases – if any at all – employee health and life insurance has jumped by 32%
The town’s contribution to the Worcester Regional Retirement System will see an increase of 17%
from just under $181,000 to just over $212,000
Voters will see a very modest increase in the town’s assessment for the Narragansett Regional School District Budget
The FY26 obligation comes in at around $2,072,000 – an increase of just over a half percent
The town’s assessment forMontachusett Regional Vocational Technical School District
Several articles to fund capital expenditures are also on Wednesday’s warrant
to be paid for through the town’s Capital Investment Fund
These include $105,000 for the design and construction of a new dog kennel for animal control
and $215,000 for the first payment on the debt service to purchase and equip the new fire truck
Another $41,000 is to be transferred to the town’s stabilization fund
Voters will be asked to fund projects recommended by Phillipston’s Community Preservation Committee
These include $50,000 to make repairs to the Phillips Free Public Library; $160,000 for repairs to the gymnasium at the Phillipston Memorial Building (formerly Phillipston Memorial Elementary School); and $30,000 for a dozen windows at the Congregational Church
Phillipston has no quorum requirement for Town Meeting
meaning any number of voters can approve or defeat any article on the warrant
Greg Vine can be reached at gvineadn@gmail.com
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Ferocious in his devotion to theatre and social justice
but unfailingly kind and gracious to others
he stood as a moral compass—and not just for apartheid-era South Africa
Acclaimed South African playwright Athol Fugard, whose works included The Blood Knot, Boesman and Lena, Sizwe Bansi Is Dead, The Island, The Road to Mecca, and “Master Harold”…and the boys, died on March 8. He was 92. This is one of two memorial tributes we’re publishing this week; the other, by photographer T Charles Erickson, is here
Few playwrights have made a greater impact on their countries or the world than Athol Fugard
Athol’s plays bore witness to the horrors of apartheid and brought the people affected by that brutal regime to life onstage
These stories stunned South Africans of conscience
and helped bring down the apartheid government
The first play of his I saw was Sizwe Bansi Is Dead
which he co-created with John Kani and Winston Ntshona
I saw it at Chicago’s Goodman Stage Two in 1976
The audience’s silence at the end seemed to last a full minute
until we finally erupted into deafening applause
Another challenging reunion with Barney—firstly his production of E.M.’s Still Life…powerful and very moving…and then a long talk about it and theatre in general afterward
he used the word “testimony” several times—I made him check its dictionary definition: “To bear witness”…Barney became very worked up: “We can’t be silent
Though I had met Athol briefly after a preview of Master Harold on Broadway
it wasn’t until I was commissioned to write a miniseries on the life of Winnie Mandela that I spent extended time with him
I had told the producers that I could not write the screenplay from newspaper clippings and research
I had to look into Winnie Mandela’s eyes and hear her story from her
They told me she was under house arrest and they didn’t know how to reach her
the great Black South African photographer
he would take me into Soweto to meet Winnie
I would often meet with Athol to talk about what I had learned
I had come to share his love for South Africa
and our friendship blossomed as we discussed Winnie’s struggle to survive and fight the apartheid regime
Those days were some of the most exhilarating
and they gave me the courage to continue to dedicate my life to writing
and producing plays and screenplays dedicated to social justice
It should come as no surprise, then, that one of my first calls on becoming artistic director of McCarter Theatre in July 1990 was to call Athol Fugard to ask him if he wanted an artistic home in America
and we started a new chapter in our relationship
he directed a play of his called Hello and Goodbye with Maria Tucci and Zelko Ivanek
We then premiered three beautiful plays by Athol
He was struggling to find his subject post-apartheid
a poignant grandfather/granddaughter play set near his home
His granddaughter was played by Lisa Gay Hamilton
He went on to write Captain’s Tiger and Sorrows and Rejoicings
we brought over John Kani to direct his son Atandwa in the part his father created in Sizwe Bansi Is Dead
I delighted in seeing our audiences stunned as I had been stunned on my first viewing of that magnificent play
ferocious in his dedication and at the same time kind
he would enter the building and each day make the rounds greeting the staff
He would start with our receptionist and then wend his way down the administrative/artistic corridor
going into each office saying hello to the fundraisers
and then back to the production department area before arriving at the rehearsal hall
He proved the adage “the pen is mightier than the sword.” He lived it
He fervently believed in the significant role of the artist in a society facing evil and injustice
I can hear the conversation between him and Barney Simon as if they are talking to us in the present: “We can’t be silent
I cannot but think he is watching us now as we witness our own country slide into white supremacy and authoritarianism
Athol is telling us all: We can’t be silent
Emily Mann is an award-winning writer and director whose original plays include Execution of Justice, Having Our Say: The Delany Sisters’ First 100 Years, and Gloria: A Life. She served as artistic director of McCarter Theatre in Princeton, N.J., from 1990 to 2020
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Greenfield changed its zoning rules to allow a single-family home to be converted into a two- or three-family dwelling — by right
This goes beyond the state law which only allows a two-family home by right
Now the city is considering whether to give developers yet another right to have multiple accessory dwelling units on a single lot
But state law says no city has to allow multiple ADUs on a parcel
We have the right as a “local option” to choose to set the bar at one per lot
and we have more than 5,500 residential lots
That gives us plenty of opportunity to build ADUs
We are already allowing a lot of dwelling units by right
It’s time to draw the line at one ADU per lot
and prevent major overcrowding in our neighborhoods
I am interested in the illusion of worth that money gives to individuals since money in and of itself is dead
It is comprised of metal or pieces of paper mixed with cloth
It is only the human agreement as to how much the paper or metal is worth that allows us to purchase objects with it
along with other self-serving people in power around the world
Here the wholesale firing of thousands of government workers doing important jobs in the name of saving money is proof enough
tearing immigrant families apart can be added to the very long and ever-growing list
People who make decisions such as these choose money for themselves over the well-being of others
of having the right to deceive and do whatever they want
Strip away the money and they are exposed as needy
It is interesting to ponder the image Donald Trump would project without the veneer of power his money gives him
I think we can agree it should go back to us through employment
Another area of concern is the use of the word ‘hysterical’
I read in letters to the editor and hear some in government calling those who are protesting the current money and power grab “hysterical.” I wonder
who voted for Trump and now can’t sell their crops because of his tariffs
Or the retirees worked up because the Social Security benefits they have contributed to their whole working lives may be cut
Or the countless others who have lost access to their jobs
I certainly don’t remember that word being tossed around about those who attacked the Capitol on January 6th
Or Elon Musk brandishing a chainsaw with glee as he was about to undercut thousands of hardworking Americans
And how about the people willing to foment a civil war when Trump lost in 2020
Hysterical could certainly be applied there as well
This word “hysterical” was created in Victorian England to describe women who were emotional because every avenue to self-expression and power was denied them
the word “hystera” is Greek for womb or uterus.) The terms hysteria and hysterical were created by men in power who would rather demonize women and hold onto power than understand what women needed and work together with them to adjust society accordingly
curiosity and compassion are required to understand the needs behind people’s emotions
no matter where on the political or personal spectrum
we need to understand and then create a society in which everyone is empowered
a society in which everyone’s needs are met — no exceptions
Marian Kelner is a teacher and writer living in Greenfield
ATHOL – The town is holding off on using nearly $1 million collected from cannabis businesses
due to several ongoing lawsuits across the state
Town Manager Shaun Suhoski explained that the money comes from host community agreements signed with cannabis businesses immediately following the legalization of marijuana in the Commonwealth
Suhoski said that communities were initially given the option of including in those agreements a requirement that cannabis-related businesses pay a community impact fee of 3%
over and above the 3% sales tax municipalities can charge marijuana retailers
“We had agreements in the first batch (of agreements),” said Suhoski
we have an amount of funds that Town Meeting had transferred to a special purpose stabilization fund for marijuana
“These are one-time because the law changed….And there are several lawsuits pending where certain companies are suing to get back the monies that other communities have collected.”
Town Accountant Amy Craven told last week’s meeting the special purpose account – created in 2019 – currently contains slightly more than $967,000
we collected one year of the fee from two of the businesses,” Suhoski told the Athol Daily News
because the Legislature then was reforming the law
the state legislature brought an end to the additional 3% that communities could collect over the sales tax
the town stopped collecting the community impact fees
“We haven’t collected a penny since,” he added
Suhoski did add a “placeholder” article at the end of the draft warrant for the Annual Town Meeting
which the Selectboard reviewed at last week’s meeting
it would allow funds in the special purpose stabilization fund to be used elsewhere in the budget
“It was just to bring it forward for transparency to let the board look at it,” he said
“It’s not something I’m going to recommend
I’m going to recommend that we hold a bit longer to see how some of the litigation concludes across the state.”
While MassGrow and 1620 Labs no longer pay a community impact fee to the town
Boston Garden and Hometown Harvest – when it opens – continue to pay a 3% sales tax to the town
Suhoski said revenue from the sales tax amounts to about $75,000 per year
When the special purpose stabilization fund was created
the money was to be used for specific purposes – 30% for the OPEB liability trust fund; 30% to stabilization or capital stabilization; 30% to downtown infrastructure; and 10% for education or enforcement
but there are new members on the Finance Committee and on the Selectboard,” he said
“They can certainly revisit it; that’s certainly within their authority
But that’s the framework that’s in place right now.”
and Finance and Warrant Advisory Committee Chair Ken Duffy indicated at last week’s meeting that the funds in the special account should stay there
until at least one of the suits relative to the community impact fees has been concluded
A final decision will be made by the Selectboard at its meeting Tuesday
Jeff Thiem (left) and Mark Summers with the Department of Public Works put the finishing touches on the October Glory red maple planted at Athol Community Elementary School Wednesday morning
Fourth grade students and town officials were on hand for the event
DPW worker Jeff Summers lowers an October Glory red maple into the hole dug for the tree planting held at Athol Community Elementary School in honor of Arbor Day
Students from Athol Community Elementary School shovel dirt as they plant an October Glory red maple for the town’s Arbor Day event on Wednesday
students from Athol Community Elementary School joined Town Manager Shaun Suhoski
and workers from the DPW to plant a tree on a patch of green in the school’s parking lot
The ceremony was held to celebrate Arbor Day
This occurred as students were preparing for the spring vacation
and so the event was instead held on Wednesday
While the last three tree plantings have taken place at ACES
Raskevitz said next year’s will be done at a different location
“We finally finished the plantings on that island at ACES,” he said
then the kids get to shovel a shovelful of dirt into it and help water it,” Raskevitz continued
“We talk about trees and their importance; talk about the basic anatomy of a tree and what the roots do
the tree placed this year was an October Glory red maple
The fourth graders who attended the event named it “Sappy.”
Raskevitz said the tree planting was in keeping with Athol’s designation as a Tree City USA
Other requirements include establishment of a tree board or department
“We also have to hold hearings for the removal of trees,” he added
Raskevitz explained that membership in the Tree City USA program must be renewed on an annual basis
The application is first reviewed by the state Department of Conservation and Recreation
and then forwarded to the Arbor Day Foundation
Membership in the program has benefits beyond the protection and promotion of trees and forested areas
“The nice thing about being a Tree City USA
is that we also have to have a tree bylaw – I think it was four years ago it was approved at Town Meeting,” he said
“That was the first step we took here in Athol
When he applies for grants there are different tiers
Being a Green Community and a Tree City USA
it bumps us to a higher tier when the grants are being considered
It not only increases our chances of being eligible but also the amount that we may get.”
declared April 30 as Arbor Day in the Town of Athol
“I urge all citizens – and students – to celebrate Arbor Day
to support the efforts to protect our trees; and I further urge all our citizens to plant trees to gladden the hearts and promote the well-being of this and future generations,” he said
the Selectboard reviewed the draft warrant for the June 9 Annual Town Meeting
which will include the proposed $26.4 million FY26 budget
Capital Program Committee Chair Jim Smith informed the board that the CPC had received a total of $1.8 million worth of requests from department heads for a variety of capital items
Town Meeting will be deciding factor for these requests
Among the items supported by the committee was $88,000 for a new police cruiser
$65,000 for a pickup truck for animal control
$37,500 for an ADA-compliant entryway at the fire station
$136,000 for a final lease payment for a dump truck
$60,000 for repairs to roads in town-owned cemeteries
$220,000 for non-Chapter 90 road improvements
$145,000 for repairs to the downtown fire station and $200,000 for grant match funds
Town Meeting voters will also be asked to approve repurposing $400,000 in borrowing authority and apply it to the purchase of a tanker truck for the Fire Department
A Proposition 2½ debt exclusion was approved in 2023 for the purchase of a new pumper for the department
Because the town received a USDA Emergency Rural Healthcare Grant of nearly $437,000 for the pumper
the town still has borrowing authority remaining
The repurposed funding would include $66,000 for the first payment of a four-year lease for the vehicle
“One thing we should mention,” said Finance and Warrant Advisory Committee Chair Ken Duffy
“is that we have the borrowing authority for that $400,000
but we haven’t actually borrowed that money
It hasn’t hit the tax rolls yet because we didn’t need to use it
It needs to be known that that is new borrowing under the old authorization.”
The Selectboard will meet on May 6 to vote its recommendations on each of the warrant articles
The proposed budget includes $5.6 million to cover the town’s assessment for the town’s share of the Athol Royalston Regional School District budget and $407,000 for Athol’s preliminary assessment for Montachusett Regional Vocational Technical School
The budget presented by Town Manager Shaun Suhoski indicates that
when revenues are weighed against expenses
Athol should end FY26 with a $35,000 surplus
that depends on what happens on Beacon Hill in coming months
on the governor’s proposed local aid figure,” Suhoski explained
“The House a couple of weeks ago voted a budget that was some $72,000 less,” he said
“If the legislature were to pull out the rug on state aid to the tune of $72,000
and we may need to look for a relief valve on that.”
“The Senate will take up its budget in May
so we’re advocating that they go with the governor’s plan,” Suhoski told the Athol Daily News
There will be some back-and-forth in Boston
but most cities and towns are hoping the governor’s numbers are the ones we can count on.”
- Report of a party going through a company’s mail
Made contact with the male party who stated he was checking for his own mail
Male party was located in his Mercedes in the back of the building
- Female calling about another party who threw items/liquids at her vehicle at CVS
The reporting party stated subject has been harassing her for months
The reporting party was advised of her options
- Reporting party from Brickyard Road states he is being harassed by his neighbors
Neighbor advised that leaf blowing in the middle of the day was not disturbing the peace
- Party was caught dumping trash out of their vehicle on Fielding Way
Spoke with reporting party who stated he caught a female party throwing bags of paper inside the woods of the cemetery
Reporting party stated the female party had picked up the property when he confronted her
- Officer spoke with female party regarding prior incident at Fielding Way
Party was advised of complaint and told not to throw paper in the woods again
Female party did pick up items after being caught by the reporting party
- Report of a vehicle parked in a way that could cause an accident on the sharp corner of Beacon Street
- Female believes she has a tip on the serial killers in the state
Reporting party was advised that Athol Police Department does not have any ties to the specific case she was referring to and was advised to contact Gardner or Mass State Police because of the jurisdiction
- Party reporting that there are two rifles that were abandoned in the property he is repairing
- Caller from Oakland Avenue reporting a dirt bike is constantly going up and down their road and is disrupting their peace
Parking signs were pushed over in the driveway
Reporting party believes it was one of the tenants
- Report of a person using a door facing traffic to practice shooting
Reporting party did not want to give information
ATHOL – As the North Central Massachusetts Association of Realtors plans a food drive this Saturday
the local food pantry is seeing supplies getting tighter
The association will hold a “Fill-a-Cruiser” food collection on May 3
at the Market Basket at North Quabbin Commons in Athol
Area residents are urged to contribute non-perishable food items
with a goal of filling an Athol Police Department cruisers
Food collected will be split between the Community Pantry at Athol High School and the Templeton Food Pantry
chair of the association’s Community Involvement Committee
“We do all sorts of things in the community
We’ve done Fill-a-Cruiser events for several years now.”
food collections will take place this Saturday in Leominster and Fitchburg
According to Community Pantry Director Shirley Mitchell
the food collected this Saturday will certainly help
The pantry gets the bulk of its stock from the Worcester County Food Pantry
“I was going down (to the Worcester pantry) during Covid and the food bank was like
Take what you’re giving out.’ It seems now that they’re saying
‘Your pantry can only get this allotment of
You’ve already met your capacity.’ We’re seeing that more often.”
Mitchell said demand for the pantry’s services
“I’ve never seen us get down to only eight jars of peanut butter…ever,” said Mitchell recently
but I truly have never seen our shelves like that.”
Mitchell said it appears the Worcester Food Bank “is just being mindful now of what they have and what they can distribute
we have this continuous conversation where we can only give what we have
Worcester Food Bank CEO Jean McMurray said the food bank hasn’t yet been affected by Trump administration cuts
but the organization is taking steps to minimize any potential impact
the United States Department of Agriculture Northeast Regional Office confirmed that Massachusetts’ $3.4 million allocation from the Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) Commodity Credit Corporation bonus food order had been canceled
according to information provided by the state
That funding would have provided 121,830 cases of pre-selected food items such as eggs
beans and salmon to Massachusetts food banks to help feed residents
The Worcester County Food Bank’s share of the TEFAP funding amounted to $307,000
“What that translated to was the cancellation of 17 deliveries for the Worcester County Food Bank,” said McMurray
“Those deliveries were scheduled for May through August
McMurray said the food bank did some contingency planning last fall
“as we always do when there’s any external situations or the environment can be changing
we had an election in November and we did some contingency planning around that and set aside funds so if we had to purchase food
Because all the food we distribute is all donated
“When people donate financially to the food bank
that funding is used to keep our trucks on the road – we have to pay our utility bills
once we were notified of the cancellation of those deliveries – that was on March 25 – the board of directors said
the Worcester County Food Bank is purchasing food to try to offset those cancellations.”
the food bank is spending roughly $475,000 to make up for the loss of those deliveries
like the ones canceling deliveries of food,” McMurray said
“We’re also very concerned about any other cuts that have happened or could happen because there’s an indirect impact on the food bank
or if funding goes away to help people – like fuel assistance – any time there’s a cut to a program that benefits people
ATHOL — Selectboard member Andy Sujdak has resigned from his position
following a video posted to social media in which he made disparaging remarks about town officials and threatened an unnamed person
Chair Rebecca Bialecki read a letter of resignation from Sujdak
This letter was submitted after a video recording of Sujdak was posted to Facebook
in which he made disparaging comments about newly elected board members Marc Maxwell and Mitch Grosky and allegedly threatened an unnamed resident
I have insulted people I respect and let down the citizens of the town that I love
Poor choices and reactions to current situations that I wish I could take back
Sujdak has served on the Selectboard since 2021 and was in the first year of his second term
He could not be reached for further comment
Sujdak made the decision to resign his board position
I believe it was the proper thing to do and will allow the Selectboard and the town to move forward.”
Sujdak taking the initiative to apologize and resign from his position.”
Assistant Town Clerk Leanna Dennis said a special election will be called to fill the vacancy
though it is unknown when this will happen
which was purchased by the Mount Grace Land Conservation Trust in order to protect it
Eagles and an eaglet at the Eagle Reserve Conservation Area
ATHOL – Motorists driving between Winchendon and Royalston inevitably pass a small
inconspicuous sign letting them know they’re near the Eagle Reserve Conservation Area
From the road it appears to be just another wooded area set aside for protection from development
But a short walk – maybe 100 yards or so – will lead to the shore of a pond that seems to take visitors back in time
“It doesn’t actually have a name,” said David Small
director of conservation for the Mount Grace Land Conservation Trust
“It’s a kettle hole bog that’s quite unique in its presentation
It has a lot of sphagnum moss and actually harbors quite a few rare species
both flora and fauna...I know we’ve had such things a pie-billed grebes nesting there
and several dragonfly species that are uncommon
He added that eagles have nested in the area “quite consistently over the past few decades
The 139-acre conservation area is owned by Mount Grace
which purchased the property from the Zimmerman and Solinas families in 2016
The organization was assisted in its efforts by the Town of Royalston
in 2023 “Mount Grace was awarded a grant from the Hollis Declan Leverett Memorial Fund to support our efforts to control invasive species that are encroaching on the shoreline at Eagle Reserve.”
“I’ve been involved with it right from the beginning
as we were trying to figure out how to protect that area,” said Small
“I’ve been on the lands committee for Mount Grace for probably 15 years or more
and it was one of the projects that came up and one of the ones I was interested in right from the beginning
it was one of the first beaver dams in the area
I remember my dad taking me up there to look at the beaver dam; it was long before beaver were really common
A pair of beaver lodges can be seen from a deck along the shore
including Beaver Brook – which also serves as an outlet for the pond – was well as an unnamed stream which enters the pond from the north
There are two trails that wind through the reservation
Small Community Trail and the Peninsula Trail
The former trail is accessible from 55 Winchendon Road in Royalston
Small said that on one of the initial trips he took to the property with Mount Grace staff
One of them turned out to be an immature golden eagle.”
Small he added he often takes field trips to the reservation
“People come from all over the state just to come and see some of the rare dragonflies we’re able to find there.”
Small said he’ll be leading a trip to the reservation around Memorial Day and will be providing more details in the near future
ATHOL – Eric Powell of Athol is to be sentenced in Franklin County Superior Court Friday on five charges
including indecent assault and battery on a child
Powell was found guilty of three counts of indecent assault and battery on a child under 14 and one count each of open and gross lewdness and intimidating a witness/juror/police/court official after a five-day trial that concluded on April 28
He is scheduled to be sentenced on Friday by Judge John A
Max Bowen can be reached at 413-930-4074 or mbowen@atholdailynews.com
Jake Nonni of Athol gives Malcolm McNamara a lesson in the game Trilaterum
Mini Game Con 2025 organizer Joe McNamara walks through the Athol Public Library's community room
watching attendees playing games both new and old
game lovers from around the North Quabbin gathered at Athol Public Library for the first Mini Game Con 2025
which featured a wide variety of board and card games
was the brainchild of Dungeons & Dragons player and Athol resident Joe McNamara
and organized under the guidance of young adult library technician Emily Boughton
“It was definitely very successful,” Boughton told the Athol Daily News
I would say that over the two days and with the D&D games going on we easily had around a hundred people.”
Among those in attendance was Jake Nonni of Athol
At a table in the library’s community room
Nonni was introducing game players to the game of Trilaterum
his company is Trench Coat Minis out of Derry
“He makes this game; he’s been making it for the last 10 years
and he made a World War II and Vietnam-era war game as well.”
like the lizard people and the sentient robots
he was unable to break away for an interview
The weekend included a host of classic and contemporary games
from D&D and Clue to Exploding Kittens
with the success of this first venture into gaming conventions
“We’ll probably bring it back again next year in some form.”
BOSTON — As President Donald Trump passes 100 days in his second term in office
Maura Healey says she’s still willing to work with him
but called his administration “a disaster” so far
“I said at the outset that I would work with this administration where it benefits Massachusetts
but it’s become clear to me that this administration is not interested in helping people
they seem to be doing the opposite — slashing funds
trying to divide us as Americans,” Healey said at an event Wednesday to celebrate the culture and arts in Massachusetts
Asked after the event if those comments meant she had changed her position and was no longer willing to work with the president
“Any governor in any state wants to have a good working relationship with the federal administration
and that continues to be the case,” she said
“What is also clear after 100 days is that this federal administration is finding ways to hurt our states left and right.”
a Democrat who has ties to Healey and an increasingly national profile
has been in the news recently for cultivating a relationship with Trump
Healey visited Whitmer along with other female governors at Mackinac Island in Michigan in the summer of 2023, and Whitmer made a visit to the State House in Boston last year. The two have also publicized the group chat they are in with other women Democratic governors, where The 19th reported they’ve formed friendships
Whitmer has come under fire from some Democrats for fostering a closer relationship with Trump in recent weeks
taking a meeting at the White House last week and on Tuesday joining the president at Selridge Air National Guard Base in Michigan
Whitmer co-chaired former Vice President Kamala Harris’s 2024 campaign against Trump
and has criticized the president in the past
but said she’s willing to work with the administration on priority goals — including on ensuring the Air National Guard base in Michigan
which supplies tens of thousands of jobs and hundreds of millions of jobs to the state
National outlets, many of which refer to Whitmer as a “probable 2028 presidential contender” have speculated about the Democrat’s political positioning
as Democratic governors around the country have tried to decide how much
to work with an administration that they see as perpetrating harm
Asked about Whitmer’s developing relationship with Trump
Healey said: “I think every governor is out there advocating for their state
I’m doing my best to advocate for Massachusetts,” Healey said
and you’ve got to point out when things aren’t going the way they should
In a “town hall” streamed Tuesday night on YouTube
Tim Walz of Minnesota and Kathy Hochul of New York to discuss the first 100 days of Trump’s second term
Healey said his this go around “is far worse than what we saw with with Trump one.”
“We need to continue to stand up to him and to speak out against what he is doing when he’s doing things that hurt people
that hurt our economy — tank our economy — are illegal and unconstitutional,” she said to the national audience
She was asked how Democrats should think about how to “package the party” for both the midterm elections in 2026 and in the 2028 presidential election
“I see people standing up every day around this country as more and more people are realizing the pain and the consequence of Donald Trump and what he is doing
And I just encourage people to continue to stay at it,” Healey said
and we just got to stay at it every single day.”
Healey encouraged listeners to share posts they see on social media about the Trump administration that they find important
ORANGE — The town reportedly faces “a death spiral,” in the words of a Finance Committee member
as it struggles to draft a proposed budget for fiscal year 2026 that can accommodate municipal needs as well as Orange’s assessment for Ralph C
The Selectboard held a joint meeting with the Finance Committee on Wednesday
where both boards expressed grave concerns over how the town will keep its head above water financially
“I think this is the year that we lose a limb,” said Finance Committee member Kathy Reinig
but this is the year that something breaks
our department heads do a great job and are creative
so maybe they’ll figure out a way for us to limp on
but it’s going to be limping — it’s not going to walking.”
The town faces a deficit of $1.7 million heading into FY26
Town Administrator Matthew Fortier said even if the town uses $300,000 in free cash
it will still need to find $1.4 million from somewhere
The Mahar School Committee voted in April to approve a 4% budget increase for the next school year
That budget will head to Annual Town Meetings in Orange
the four communities that send students to Mahar
But Selectboard and Finance Committee members voiced frustration with the $673,611 assessment that the school is requesting from Orange
“This is my personal opinion — if we cannot get a significant reduction of the increase requested by the regional school
I think we’re going to be in a situation where we are going to be having budget cuts to the rest of the departments in town by up to 15%,” said Finance Committee Chair Keith LaRiviere
I don’t think that we can sustain that kind of a situation
we have to keep cutting and cutting and cutting from every other department
I don’t think it’s hyperbole to say that the schools are going to bankrupt the town
“So the only thing that I personally see as an alternative to draconian cuts to every other department is to ask the taxpayers for a Proposition 2½ override,” he added
LaRiviere said he hates the thought of raising residents’ taxes
Finance Committee member Traeanna Smith agreed with LaRiviere
“The education budget out-percentiles everything else in its funding,” she said
Smith said she has three children and wants the school system adequately funded
“but we need to find some way to make it so that the funding is not going to … basically run our funds to nothing.”
Reinig mentioned that the FY25 town assessment was lower than that of the previous year
She also said the town must contribute its share of the requested assessment increase
as well as any portion not covered by the state
The amount of money a town contributes is determined by the number of students it sends to the school
“And our student population went up relative to the other … towns,” Reinig explained
She said she spoke with the offices of state Rep
and told them the town is in “a death spiral and we really need some help.”
Orange faced a similar budgeting problem last year that was made worse because it had accidentally paid $338,000 in fraudulent invoices over the summer of 2023
Selectboard member Jane Peirce said she wants to reexamine the formula that is used to determine the town’s contributions to Mahar
It’s the formula and the [regional] agreement that’s really doing this to us,” she said
And we’re going to slam into a wall really soon where we’re going to be looking at vital functions that are necessary to run the town and provide services
and we’re not going to be able to do it.”
Peirce thinks a Proposition 2½ override “will be a hard sell,” but recommended asking voters anyway
“This is such a big chunk of change; we’re not going to find it in one place anyway,” Peirce said
Selectboard Chair Tom Smith was in agreement
I’m all for kids getting a good education,” he said
“But you have to live within your means.”
The Selectboard has scheduled a May 7 meeting to further discuss the fiscal year 2026 budget
Annual Town Meetings in Orange are held the third Monday in June
a Constitution scholar and professor of law at the UC Law San Francisco
explains the history of the Constitution to middle and high school students visiting the Franklin County Justice Center in Greenfield on Thursday
Superior Court Judge John Agostini speaks to students about the importance of the judicial system at the Franklin County Justice Center in Greenfield on Thursday
Mohawk Trail Regional School students visit the Greenfield Court Service Center on Thursday
where Manager Mary Klaes speaks about how they help people involved in civil cases research their legal options
GREENFIELD — The Franklin County Justice Center celebrated the future of law by welcoming middle and high school students from across the county for an inside look at the judicial system on Thursday morning
More than 100 students from Franklin County Technical School
Mohawk Trail Regional School and Great Falls Middle School took a field trip to the Hope Street courthouse in celebration of Law Day
Law Day was first proclaimed a holiday in 1958 by President Dwight D
Eisenhower to recognize the importance of the rule of law and its role in protecting justice
Franklin County Clerk of Courts Benjamin Simanski said Law Day is a celebration of the courthouse and everything that keeps it running
from the judges and clerks to the laws that guide them
“When we walk through the door of this building
we all come together to trust in a series of principles that allow for our society to move forward and organize in a democratic way
where it doesn’t matter if you have nothing or have everything,” Simanski said
“You get to come to a place and have your dispute resolved by folks that aren’t looking at the emotional aspects.”
a Constitution scholar and professor of law at UC Law San Francisco
spoke on the history of the Constitution and the Bill of Rights
as well as the importance of the judicial branch in maintaining the rule of law; the concept that all individuals
are subject to and are ruled by the law; and that not even the government and those in power are above it
“You would have battles in the street and people settling disputes with duels and open warfare
Law has been created as a way to calm down that human emotion,” Little said
The judicial branch enforces the rule of law and the Constitution
which is the “supreme law of the land,” Little said
As the next generation of jurors and judges
he said students should read the Constitution to prepare for their eventual days in court defending it
He said the Constitution is not a perfect document and the Founding Fathers were cognizant of that
which is why they created a Bill of Rights and a way for the Constitution to be amended
“The Constitution is hardly a perfect document
The Constitution has at the beginning a state of purpose
and it says ‘in order to form a more perfect union’ — not to form a perfect union
just more perfect than the one we have,” Little said
the Constitution has been amended 27 times
The most recent amendment was made in 1992
and limited the ability of Congress to give itself a pay raise
To prepare the students for adulthood and to eventually take on the role of managing society and government
Little recommended they not only read the Constitution
seek answers and speak up on the issues that matter to them
“You are the promises of the Constitution,” Little said
Superior Court Judge John Agostini added that students should embrace jury duty when the time comes
Serving as a juror can teach people about the judicial process while also shaping cases with their decisions
“I wish I had that experience before I started being a judge 24 years ago; that would have really helped me
I encourage you when you get your jury notice to view this as a right that you have
because that’s what it is: a right to participate in the judicial process,” Agostini said
“I’ve talked to a lot of jurors and I will say
every one of them has valued that experience to sit on the jury to make some of the most important decisions that are made in this country.”
Students were then given a tour of the courthouse
visiting the different clerks’ offices and stopping in a courtroom to watch a few minutes of a trial that was underway
Students said Thursday’s tour was interesting and informative
They said the courthouse was close to what they expected — somewhat similar to what they have seen on television
They work hard in the courthouse,” said Matan Newcomb
an eighth grader at Mohawk Trail Regional School
“It was interesting and I got to bang the judge’s gavel.”
Reach Madison Schofield at 413-930-4579 or mschofield@recorder.com
News media reports are that Trump “bragged” about helping his billionaire donors take advantage (to the tune of $300 billion) in a suspected insider trading with his on-again
And America’s working poor have never seen such blatant and brazen in-your-face money grabbing by the rich oligarchs
here is your political comeback strategy on a silver platter: Start attacking the super-rich
the rich oligarchs are hated by most Americans just now
will never find the rich oligarchs more nakedly corrupt
there are nearly as many billionaires and oligarchs in America as there are deportable immigrants for Trumspters
They are the elephants in the room you can no longer ignore
It’s a revolution of the angry commoners against the rich oligarchs
bigger and bloodier than Trump’s own political revolution against liberals: Bloodthirsty MAGA
must turn working Americans against the rich
who got rich only by stealing money from them
How else could the rich become rich and the rest become poor
Isn’t protecting America from the tyranny of the rich oligarchs the very heart and soul of the Democratic Party
What would be more “American” than fighting tyranny
Nothing is more clearly recognized in America just now than this simple age-old fact: The rich will get richer and the rest will get poorer
For your own political survival by reviving America’s working class as your political backbone
you must pick your singular line of attack
the ends always justify the means: Fight and win
The perfect storm is here for you: Trumpsters have fired thousands of political workers
Wall Street is just as fat and sassy under Trump as under liberal democracy before: With no radical change
the rich will continue to be rich and the rest continue to be poor and the American working class is sick of being poor in the richest country in the world
Trump beat you with his patented “red meat” of immigrants (against) and tariffs (for)
just to show who is boss: Punishing immigrants and slapping high tariffs on foreign goods make white America feel good
never mind their actual benefits or practical consequences
You must arouse the working Americans from their slumber to smell the Democratic red meat —redder and meatier
Trump has immigrants and elites as his target and you have billionaires and oligarchs
who always plot against the working Americans
Lead the working class and storm the barricade
Don’t ever make long speeches with boring statistics: Just few words and fewer points
Trump mastered the art of talking to third-graders
You must outdo him by learning how to simplify for first-graders
Don’t talk down to American voters but don’t overestimate their intelligence
Hammer away at the heartless and inhuman way the super-rich live and play
fattening their wealth by robbing the working class
Broadcast their fancy yachts and champagne parties in contrast to a minimum-wager standing miserably next to his broken-down clunker of a car
Show Bill Gates’ $150-million mansion next to an evicted family
and repeat the fact that Gates makes in 10 seconds what it takes most Americans a month to make
Do this simply and repeatedly until people cannot see the rich without seeing the poor in contrast
The evil of the rich few is for all to see in plain sight
repeat and repeat again how the super-rich live and how common people live
and many struggling to keep a roof over their heads
Tell the working Americans that rich people only make themselves rich
as some of your more radicalized Democrats have already said
you can wait forever for your gravy train that will never come
you must outdo Trump also in dramatics: Declare your own “hit list,” short and loud
Promise that you will tax the rich to death and free Americans from the tyranny of their money
Be relentless and pitiless with your message: Attack
Americans must see that they are losing their jobs
and roof over their heads while the capitalist rich expand their wealth every second
by the time they finish reading this column
Trumpism is nothing but a handmaid to the super-rich oligarchs
There will be nothing left for us the working people or our children!” Such a single-minded attack is what brought Trumpism to power and you must copy his strategy and tactic
Here is your last hurrah: Scream over and over
columnist for the Recorder and retired professor
lives in Greenfield and writes for posterity
ATHOL – Around 270 people or businesses have checks waiting for them at Athol Town Hall
Treasurer/Collector Patrick McIntyre contacted the Athol Daily News on Wednesday to announce the town has some $67,000 worth of what are known as “tailings” – uncashed checks – waiting to be reconciled
range from $1.31 for a resident to more than $12,000 for a business
the town voted to accept the state law that allows us to clear tailings accounts,” McIntyre explained
“These are checks that have been cut over the years that people have not cashed; either they didn’t get them
or they misplaced them….so we want to get that money back to them
Asked if most of the payments were generated by a specific department
A lot of them are motor vehicle excise or real estate refunds
There are people who canceled their plates and got an abatement
and we send them back a rebate for their excise and they never got it
or they just didn’t know what it was for and stuck it in a drawer somewhere
we’re giving folks a second chance to cash their checks.”
McIntyre said the town will post the list of checks on its website at the beginning of May
the town will advertise the remaining unclaimed checks
providing another 60-day window to be claimed
Checks for more than $100 have to remain claimable for a year
and any under $100 can be returned to the town as unclaimed
Funds returned to the town will be deposited in Athol’s free cash account
that’s me – that’s my money,’ he can file a claim with us,” he said
The treasurer/collector said the website will include a claim form that can be printed
The application will need to be submitted in person at Town Hall
“There will be a whole list of checks and then the claim form that they can print out
what check they’re trying to reclaim and the amount,” McIntyre said
“Then they’ll come in with two forms of ID
one will be a driver’s license or passport
a credit or debit card that has their name on it
“If the checks are for people who are deceased
the executor will have to bring in some sort of a document that proves that
Here’s my proof of executorship.’ Then they can file the claim.”
The main entrance of Rundlett Middle School
Bob Maccini doesn’t like to think of a new petition about Concord’s middle school project as an ultimatum
Bring the cost of a new middle school down
the petition communicates to Concord’s school board
“I don’t like to think in those kinds of terms,” Maccini said
“But I think that’s what a lot of people are kind of saying
We just cannot afford this kind of building.”
The new petition argues that the school board should be stripped of its ability to set the budget for school construction or renovation projects
If the board could put forward a “reasonable” total
The building in question is a new middle school on South Street. If the board proceeds with the plan adapted from the school designed a year ago, it could carry around a $164 million price tag
perhaps more due to rising construction costs and tariffs
Especially as the chance of any help from the state fades
several board members have indicated that they couldn’t abide that total and plan to make cuts —if they move forward this year at all
But Maccini and a group of residents he helps lead
don’t trust that they’ll bring it down far enough
“It’s one thing to say you’re concerned about the price,” he said
“It’s another thing to actually come in with a reasonable number.”
The confrontational approach is one of exasperation
With what they see as a deluge of upcoming city and school projects with six
the Concerned Citizens group has sought to claw back a sense of control from local leaders
Last year, the group succeeded with a different ultimatum about the school. Through petitions and widely successful ballot measures, the school board felt it had no choice but to acquiesce to demands to “rebuild at Rundlett.” That push last year started with an online petition and resulted in two amendments to the district charter
the Concerned Citizens have focused on the proposed cost
which could wind up being the most expensive school ever built in the state
School board members have expressed frustration with what they see as the group “moving the goalposts” on the debate over this project
Before changing the school location in January
the board broadcasted that doing so would be $8 million more expensive than sticking with their existing plan
and $12 million more than if the charter amendments had never passed at all
When it came down to it, people affiliated with the Concerned Citizens said they saw the cost difference as “a non-issue” and told the board that it was “preferable to spend more on a good decision than less money to perpetuate a bad one.”
That doesn’t mean they want the board to pursue the full $164 million cost
The $164 million price tag is a preliminary estimate from HMFH
the architecture firm hired for this project
and a more detailed new design and cost estimate are expected in the next few months
The firm’s fees have already influenced the bottom line as the school board recently agreed to pay HMFH an additional $3 million to design a school at the Rundlett site
bringing their total contract to $13.3 million
the board could whittle down the features of the building to lower expenses and set a new budget in August
It’s the same process the district followed last year when it lowered a $176 million preliminary estimate down to $152 million — but that was for a school at Broken Ground
It was before building aid from the state was all but nixed
and before the board acquiesced to moving the project back to South Street
The Concerned Citizens found that reduction
said he believes the board would approve the $164 million number today if a vote was held
He wants to see signals that they’re serious about bringing it down and that they really listen when people say they can’t absorb it
Maccini argued that the board should set a cost ceiling now and design to that number
giving residents some stability in an aspect of the project that has fluctuated over time
It’s an approach some members of the school board’s building committee have advocated
“It would be good if they did come in with a number and stuck to it,” Maccini said
though he acknowledged that what constitutes a “reasonable” total would be in the eye of the beholder
It’s not clear whether another amendment to the school district charter would even apply to this project if the board sets a budget for it over the summer
Many of those who opposed the amendments last year agreed with their end goal about the project’s location but feared the delays and cost increases that they have brought about
Maccini said even if the petition doesn’t move forward towards a charter amendment
it makes clear to the school board that residents in Concord care deeply about costs
“We’re worried about peo ple making ends meet,” he said
Catherine McLaughlin can be reached at cmclaughlin@cmonitor.com
You can subscribe to her Concord newsletter The City Beat at concordmonitor.com
The first phase of the town’s wayfinding sign project will be focused on downtown
A mockup design created by Jack Lyman of Lyman Signs of Phillipston for Athol’s wayfinding project
ATHOL – Efforts to develop new signage directing Athol residents and visitors to local points of interest
recreational opportunities and municipal facilities may soon be coming to a close
Planning and Development Director Eric Smith explained
working with our Downtown Vitality Committee
with the idea of coming up with a branding image that we could use for wayfinding and marketing purposes.”
Smith added that communication between the consultant and the DVC broke down in terms of what they wanted to see in terms of a final project
“There was a presentation to the Selectboard three summers ago
and we knew some more work needed to be done,” he continued
“Thanks to the generosity of the Parking Benefits District – wayfinding is one valid purpose for use of the downtown parking meter funds – we hired Jake Lyman
and Jake Lyman has been wonderful to work with since last fall.”
Lyman is the owner of Lyman Signs of Phillipston
Smith explained that Lyman has offered several versions of the signage that had been worked up by the consultant
“trying to make the Downtown Vitality Committee happy.”
He then held up a sample for the board and the public to view
“This finally made the Downtown Vitality Committee happy at their last meeting.”
“Most people really like this one now,” Smith told the Athol Daily News in an interview Tuesday afternoon
kind of a skyline of the buildings and a sunset view
Smith said Town Manager Shaun Suhoski offered suggestions for changes in the mockup
“He was looking to do something more with the river
to view it from more of an elevational perspective,” said Smith
He said Lyman signs will provide another alternative based on some of Shaun’s input
after which it will go back to the Selectboard for approval
Once the final version of the signage is approved
and find out whether some of the signs are going to need permits along town rights of way
I know state rights of way are a challenge
We learned the state doesn’t want to see anything unless it meets their approval
we’re going to have to figure out an alternative way to put some of the signs closer to Route 2
Potentially it will be on private property
We’ll have to go back and see how many signs we want to install and then get them permitted.”
Smith said he hopes the town can land a T Mobile Community Planning Grant to help implement the project
The T Mobile website states that grants of up to $50,000 can be used for “projects that foster local connections
“I’ll be relieved when this project is done
It’s been three years we’ve been working on it already
The first phase of the project we’re looking at is putting wayfinding signage to do downtown
Phase 2 would be similar wayfinding signage to conservation areas
We’re going to have to break it up into phases
But it’s exciting to know that this project will likely move forward this year.”
who served on the Selectboard for 18 years
is among the three candidates seeking a one-year term on the board
A longtime veteran of local politics and a newcomer will each assume their respective seats on Athol’s Selectboard when it reorganizes next Tuesday
In a four-way race for two seats on the board
former Selectboard member Mitch Grosky far outdistanced his competitors in balloting on Monday
Marc Browning Maxwell received 270 votes to oust incumbent board member Kala Fisher
Rounding out the field was Katalin Krieger with 131
A total of 579 out of Athol’s 9,257 registered voters – just over 6% – showed up to cast ballots
“I would like to thank the voters and all the citizens of Athol for their great show of support,” said Grosky
Grosky thanked Fisher for her three years of service on the board
and Krieger for her service on the town’s Energy Committee and Zoning Board of Appeals and for “dedicating her time and energy to the race.”
he would “make every decision” based upon what he believes to be “best for our town’s families and residents.”
“I am honored that the voters put their trust in me to represent them and I am ready to get to work for them.”
a familiar face will be returning to the Selectboard – for at least one more year
who had served on the board for 18 years before opting not to run again in 2018
outpolled newcomers Chris Deveneau and Steve Egan
The three-way race was to fill the remaining year of the term of Shelby Bronnes
who resigned in January to take care of her new infant son and pursue her education
“I would like to thank everyone for their support,” said Alger
I know there is a learning curve to town government and both sitting board members are – although doing admirably well – still in somewhat of a rookie status
I thought the best way to help was to run for the one-year term so that they can benefit from my experience and institutional knowledge
I was thrilled to see new names on the ballot this year and it is my hope that Chris and Steven continue to be active in our community.”
There was no candidate on the ballot to fill the post of Royalston’s representative on the Athol Royalston Regional School Committee but Deveneau did collect 40 write-in votes in Athol and another 38 in Royalston
“I asked to be a write-in for School Committee after I had announced I was running for Selectboard
so I agreed.” He said he felt good to be able to “contribute somewhere else for Royalston
Deveneau congratulated Alger on her victory
“I look forward to serving our community in this new role and working to support our students
A total of 222 of Royalston’s 1145 registered voters – just over 19% - went to the polls Monday
and Kathy Kammer share a drink on the patio overlooking the practice green at Beaver Meadow Golf Course
and now play together several times a week
"It all happened at the Beav," Mulleavey said
Emily and Keith Duclos had worked for the previous restauranteur at Beaver Meadow
but they didn't want to leave — so they started their own business
designed roof trusses in Boscawen for decades
"It's not worth renovating," he said of the current clubhouse
brought him to the simulators at Beaver Meadow on a rainy Tuesday afternoon
Cam Fortier of Concord tees off on the first hole with the Beaver Meadow clubhouse in the background on Tuesday
Fortier lives nearby and walks from home to play
Steve Quinn sees Beaver Meadow Golf Course as the 18-hole equivalent of Cannon Mountain
one where the loyal regulars have returned for years and try to entice others to join them
The cars in the parking lot might not be as nice as those at other places
Being owned by government entities keeps both places humble and has nurtured more blue-collar roots in a way that their devotees wear with pride
He learned the sport at Manchester’s Derryfield Country Club — the only other remaining municipal course in the state — and knows firsthand that municipal courses bring in new players who couldn’t afford to golf elsewhere
the course rides the line between humble and shabby
before quickly correcting himself: “The building is a dump.”
Quinn — who bought a membership when he retired four years ago but has played at the course for far longer — supports the idea of a new clubhouse at Beaver Meadow
He noted chronic issues with ugly backups in the bathrooms and pointed to rotting out corners of the wooden beams at the entrance
The Henniker resident, though, won’t be among those on the hook for most of the costs to construct an $8 million new building. One of the foremost criticisms of the plan is the expense will largely be funded by city taxpayers. Many residents who have spoken out against the project don’t oppose it outright — though some do — but have urged the city to find other ways to pay for it
wrapping up a session on the simulator or loading their clubs into their trunks
Beaver Meadow golfers broadly agreed that “something’s got to be done” to repair and upgrade the clubhouse
Some want to see the building host more private events and beckon in more non-golfers and applaud the proposal to build a new one
Few were familiar with the particulars of the city’s plan or its price tag
especially those who lived outside the city
citing the expense and seeing something more scaled back
People who lived in neighboring communities
were more surprised that the course wouldn’t cover the cost on its own
“I would think it would pay for itself,” he said
Concord residents were more or less split on the idea – some cited a glaring need for an updated facility
others pointed to their ever-rising tax bills and hope for some relief
Relying on money from golfers to cover the full cost of the clubhouse – like a private course would have to do – has been a non-starter for the leaders and politicians in the city of Concord
who say the city asset deserves public funding
no differently than the library or public pools
Quinn figured it might help keep greens fees down
I’m donating the money to buy them a clubhouse.”
while Mulleavey was playing and Stone was working in the restaurant
and Stone is now engaged to Mulleavey’s sister
“It’s the community around this place that keeps it going,” said Stone
said he has watched friends his age leave Beaver Meadow to play more appealing courses in Pembroke and Canterbury
“It’s hard to see people leaving to go to nicer facilities and nicer areas,” he said
“But you see people realizing that we’re paying more in membership
While significantly lower than many surrounding courses
the $2,295 annual membership at Beaver Meadow is up $1,000
A $3 resident discount was added this year
but it’s only available for those playing 18 holes with no cart
and 27,805 rounds of golf were played there last year
Mulleavey and Stone like that it’s “homey” at the Beav
But they think it could be so much more — and see the clubhouse as holding it back
When golfers talk about the promise of a bigger restaurant — one without the simulator taking up space in it — they often say it’s for the sake of “the Broken Tee.”
Emily and Keith Duclos started their business inside the club this winter when the previous restaurant tenant left
They stayed because they love the community at Beaver Meadow
“With a proper building and an actual restaurant
maybe our winter business wouldn’t be so difficult,” Emily Duclos said
“we’re leaning heavily on friends and family
The restaurant’s few dozen seats are almost exclusively used by those hitting the links
The Ducloses believe the space could be more
“They would be stopping the growth of the community here if they don’t build a new one.”
Chris Ralphs argued that opponents view a new clubhouse and the course itself too narrowly
“Why are people so blinkered on it being a clubhouse for golfers?” said Ralphs
who described himself as a Concord taxpayer
“Why can’t it be a multifunctional city building
giving more opportunity for the city to make more money?”
larger clubhouse would create opportunities beyond golf activities
Projections from the city manager’s office expect to charge an additional $50,000 in restaurant rent and bring in an additional $35,000 in simulator fees every year in a new clubhouse
who currently lives in Sanbornton but was a Concord resident for decades
you need to make it bigger so other people can use it for other things,” she said
Space for skaters and cross-country skiers in the winter is among them
“It doesn’t need to be Pembroke Pines,” Ralphs said
three-floor clubhouse at a neighboring private course with its own bridal suite for hosting weddings
Frugalists in the city have made the point that if your house needs a new bathroom or has rotting wood
you repair it – something the city distinctly decided against
renovating what’s currently at Beaver Meadow would be “lipstick on a pig,” and would still cost a lot of money
The city committees that rejected the $5.4 million renovation option felt the same way
and project engineers have warned that a simple facelift won’t fix the building’s biggest issues
who serves on the golf course advisory committee
gets why his neighbors in Concord are worried about their budgets
“I understand that people are worried that their taxes are going to go up
but it’s not going to be that much money.”
city estimates for a new clubhouse call for $6.8 million of the $8 million price tag to paid for by a taxpayer bond
it would add a little over eight cents to the tax rate
or $33.98 onto the bill of a $400,000 home
Investing in city amenities that you don’t use is part of being a taxpayer
“but I don’t have a problem supporting any of those things.”
The clubhouse isn’t the only major project up for debate in the city’s 2026 budget
which councilors will shape over the next month
Councilors receive a copy of the city manager’s proposed budget on May 9
Capital projects will be taken up in detail on May 22
Public hearings on the budget and a final vote are scheduled for June 5
City Councilors will also weigh $38 million for a police station, $2.6 million in tax dollars alongside federal grants to help pay for major repairs of the Loudon Road Bridge and $1 million for improvements to City Hall, according to projections in the current budget.
The $65 million slate of capital improvements, if undertaken in full later this month, would be more than four times the capital budget last year, which was itself the highest capital spending plan in at least five years
Both Darby and Jim Zellers live mere minutes from the course
They both said that the current building needs far more than just a facelift
But Zellers can’t stomach the money coming from taxpayers
I would totally agree with a non-golfer that it’s not worth it,” he said
“I understand where those people are coming from.”
Beaver Meadow has ended the year with a surplus — and paid around $120,000 back into the city’s general fund
That surplus isn’t big enough to cover the costs of a new clubhouse or other major improvements on its own
like irrigation and a parking lot overhaul and a clubhouse
The city manager’s office projects the course will pay an additional $115,000 back into the general fund every year to help cover the clubhouse debt payments
Course supporters have committed to fundraising $250,000 over ten years as well
He figured this was probably an unpopular opinion
one others at the course wouldn’t thank him for putting out there
The vision that others shared — for the clubhouse to become a community watering hole
where young couples tie the knot and neighbors bring their spouses for a weeknight dinner — it sounds nice to him
“But I don’t feel they’ve justified the large expenditure.”
You can subscribe to her Concord newsletter The City Beat at concordmonitor.com
Editor’s Note: This story was updated to correct the first name of Broken Tee owner
Adam Gelinas celebrates after crossing the finish line in first place with Patrick Madden during the 60th annual River Rat Race in Orange on Saturday
Spectators watch from the Daniel Shays Highway bridge as competitors make their way down the Millers River during the 60th annual River Rat Race from Athol to Orange on Saturday
Competitors make their way down the Millers River during the 60th annual River Rat Race from Athol to Orange on Saturday
Competitors set out at the start of the 60th annual River Rat Race from Athol to Orange on Saturday
Spectators watch from the Main Street bridge at the start of the 60th annual River Rat Race from Athol to Orange on Saturday
Competitors get into their starting positions during the 60th annual River Rat Race from Athol to Orange on Saturday
Eben Cross and Aaron Baskerville take a swim as rescue teams recover their canoe during the 60th annual River Rat Race from Athol to Orange on Saturday
Clayde and Shawn Thompson carry their canoe through the snow to the starting line
during the 60th annual River Rat Race in Athol on Saturday
and Adam Gelinas paddle their way to a first place finish during the 60th annual River Rat Race from Athol to Orange on Saturday
and Jocelyn Songer carry their canoe to the starting line during the 60th annual River Rat Race from Athol to Orange on Saturday
Joe Schlimmer and Frances Hiscox cross the finish line third during the 60th annual River Rat Race on Saturday in Orange
and Jake Logan set out at the start of the race during the 60th annual River Rat Race on Saturday in Athol
Joe Schlimmer and Frances Hiscox paddle ahead of a line of competitors during the 60th annual River Rat Race from Athol to Orange on Saturday
11 boat paddle to the front of the pack alongside Karen Pleasant and Ken Oshowski in the No
1 boat at the start of the 60th annual River Rat Race from Athol to Orange on Saturday
Shane McDowell and River Robertson paddle in the No
43 boat as competitors set out at the start of the 60th annual River Rat Race from Athol to Orange on Saturday
Brent Lyesiuk and John Berry paddle their way to a second place finish during the 60th annual River Rat Race from Athol to Orange on Saturday
the 60th annual River Rat Race started right on time at 1 p.m
sending 194 canoes down the Millers River from Athol to Orange
The annual pre-race parade was canceled due to the weather
but guest performers the Atholl Scottish Highlanders still brought music to the scene
playing along the river’s edge and lifting everyone’s spirits
Hundreds of spectators and their umbrellas crowded the bridge on South Main Street in Athol to watch the race begin
It started with a dramatic scene as the boats took off
as they traversed the 5.2 miles from the Alan E
Rich Environmental Park in Athol to Riverfront Park in Orange
after battling their way through a chaotic start
referring to second-place finishers Brent Lyesiuk and John Berry
“We only caught them right here,” he added
“They’re (Lyesiuk and Berry) former champs
they’ve won more than we have,” added Gleinas
Following Lyesiuk and Berry were Joe Schlimmer and Francis Hiscox in third at 1:37 p.m
River Robertson and Shane MacDowell came in fourth
like Matthew and Nathan Payne from central Massachusetts
are locals who grew up coming to the event
“This is my 24th race,” Matthew Payne said
Ted Kenyon and his son Theo paddled together for the first time
“We started at the back of the pack in spot 189
and the first mile or two was pretty tough,” said Kenyon
Not every racer was focused on finishing first
“My favorite part was not getting wet,” said Adam Orth
a veteran racer who was participating in his 13th River Rat Race
“You always enjoy the chaos,” Jameson added
you never know where you’re gonna end up.”
“We’re really happy because Lorianne from Eye Candy Bar sponsored us
She’s awesome and we hope everyone checks it out,” Cummings said
and the energy is just so fun,” Fitzgerald added
one of the few food vendors brave enough to stay set up in the dismal weather
I look forward to seeing who comes out,” said owner Ryan Grandmont
The Athol Lions Club took over organizing duties for the River Rat Race more than 30 years ago
a longtime member and key figure behind the scenes
“The race itself started on a barroom bet and there were only 12 canoes in the first race,” he said
When the original organizers were ready to call it quits
“Dave Flint got word of that and came to the club and asked if we wanted to take over
As part of the 60th anniversary celebrations
who were the 60th canoe to register online
won the first ever President’s Award for their creative boat and costumes
The award was given out by King Lion Kim Edmond
the Rat Race is also about giving back to the community
This year the Lions club is donating all proceeds from the race to help send two girls to the Clara Barton Center for Diabetes Education
“The Lions Club does a lot of really good stuff
and it’s important that we get that out there,” said Race Director Gail Spring
The New Hampshire Senate split from the House Thursday when it scuttled a controversial bill that would allow students to enroll in any public school in the state
Although the bill could still pass this year through the state budget process, the Senate’s vote signaled that the Republican-controlled legislature is divided on how to proceed with the closely-watched proposal. The House voted to approve it in March and included it in the budget bill that representatives approved last month
The open enrollment law would bring New Hampshire in line with about one-third of states nationally
where parents are allowed to send their students to districts outside of the one where they live
individual school districts control whether New Hampshire students can enroll elsewhere on their home district’s dime
The proposal has been championed by school choice advocates
who argue it would increase competition and allow students who live in low-performing districts to seek better-performing schools elsewhere
opponents have contended it would exacerbate inequalities in education
causing low-performing sending districts to lose students and money
the chair of the Senate Education Committee
expressed support for the general concept of open enrollment but said the legislature needed more time to iron out the details
and a new concept always brings questions and concerns,” Ward said
Ward said she was most concerned about the cost-sharing formula
the school district in which the student resides would be responsible for paying 80% of its own average cost per pupil
if the average cost per pupil differed markedly between the sending and receiving districts
in essence allowing students to receive a superior education at a discounted price
the bill’s prime sponsor and the chair of the House Education Policy and Administration Committee
did not respond to a request for comment on the Senate’s vote
The bill will have a final chance to pass the Senate when it takes up the state budget in the coming weeks
The Atholl Highlanders took part in the 2025 Tartan Parade in New York on April 5
The regiment is now in Athol and will take part in the River Rat Race this weekend
Blair Atholl in the Athol Highlanders has been sister city to Athol since the 1960s
The Atholl Highlanders will hold a traditional Scottish ceilidh at Athol Town Hall on Thursday
Major Graham Jack said Tuesday that he and 61 of his comrades in The Atholl Highlanders are looking forward to their appearance in Athol for River Rat weekend
is located in Blair Atholl in the Scottish Highlands
The Highlanders is the only legal private army in Europe
The two communities have been sister cities since the early 1960s
The Highlanders arrived in Athol on April 9 and will be in town for the River Rat Race this weekend
in addition to marching in the annual River Rat Promenade prior to the start of the race
the regiment will take part tonight in a traditional Scottish ceilidh (kay-lee) at Town Hall
Jack spoke with the Athol Daily News following their appearance in the Big Apple
“What a pleasure it was to come to New York and take part in the 2025 Tartan Day Parade
We did a formation that we haven’t done since 1980
and the formation was done to the pleasure of all the people we were marching past,” he said
we made a good representation of the Duke of Atholl’s private regiment in New York.”
Asked if the regiment will be employing the same formation at Saturday morning’s parade
It won’t be quite the same formation because of the size of 6th Avenue
We’ll still be having a show of color and spectacle.”
Jack said this will not be his first visit to Athol
and this will be my fourth visit to Athol,” he said
adding that he has been with the regiment for 48 years
Jack said the Highlanders fought at the 1746 battle of Culloden
ready to be shipped out to America when the (American Revolution) ended
They had been assembled in Ireland and were there for just about five years.”
“after Queen Victoria had visited Blair Castle
and those are the flags you’ll see on Saturday.”
Jack went on to explain that about half the company “have never been to Athol before
I’m very pleased I’ll be staying at the same house where I stayed previously
Bill Kessler and Wayne Richardson of the Atholl to Athol Committee” have arranged for members of the regiment to stay in local homes “and for that we are very
“We’re all very much looking forward to our visit to Athol,” said Jack
“Those of us who have been there have told the newer members about the great people there and the very lovely time we’ve had.”
we’d like to take this opportunity to thank the extremely hospitable host families in Athol who look after us so well
with visits taking place out with official tours
something we are sure will continue into the future
This year’s itinerary in Athol will be particularly fun with some of our members taking part in the Athol Rat Race
We always welcome the chance to get right into the heart of the community through the school and business visits too.”
ATHOL – From the classic to the contemporary
gaming fans will have plenty to choose from at Mini Game Con 2025
this Friday and Saturday at Athol Public Library
A release from the library states the event will include “…classics like Dungeons & Dragons
Sleeping Queens and more – there will be something for every type of board game lover.”
Young adult library technician Emily Boughton said the idea for the event sprang from the mind of “local Dungeon Master and game enthusiast Joe McNamara.”
“He approached us because he had come to our comic book fest
“and had wanted to do something similar but that was more game-focused.”
She noted that the library does offer games for patrons and also sets aside time for game-playing on a regular basis
including a chess club and a night of Dungeons & Dragons for adults
“My wife and I are parents of a couple of younger children and we’ve always been into different types of board games and card games,” said McNamara
and we were together a lot so we played a lot of board games
It really helped to bring us together as a family
It’s easy to fall into that trap where everyone is going in their own direction
“I went to a huge gaming convention in Philadelphia with my son this past year and I was thinking
what if there was something like that up here,” McNamara continued
“They had done the comic book fest and some other things here and I thought
it would be a great thing to do at the library
They were very receptive to the idea and we sat down and worked out the details.”
McNamara said he’s hopeful that Mini Game Con 2025 can help other families find ways to spend more quality time together
doing something besides sitting around watching TV or playing video games
not that there’s anything wrong with either of those things
but it’s one more thing that everyone can do together,” he added
where one family invites another family over and they have a game night together.”
“I think it’s more popular than it ever has been
Between ‘The Big Bang Theory’ and it was a big thing for the characters in ‘Stranger Things,’ then they had the Dungeons & Dragons movie a few years back
And it’s pretty popular among some podcasts that people are listening to.”
My son is actually going to run one of the Dungeons and Dragons games during the event
They had a lot of suggestions about the kinds of games that should happen.”
“Volunteers will be on hand to teach players how to join in the fun
Guests can also sign up to join one of the mini Dungeons & Dragons campaigns running during the events…With options of activities to explore each day
and adults can all find something to enjoy
with every game you try you’ll earn a ticket towards our Greenfield Games gift certificate raffle.”
For the full schedule of events, go to https://athollibrary.org and click on the link to Athol Mini Game Con
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Voters in Athol and Royalston will head to the polls Monday
There are competitive races for Selectboard in both towns
Katalin Krieger and Marc Browning Maxwell are vying to fill two seats on the board
Fisher is an incumbent currently completing her first three-year term on the board
has served on both the Selectboard and Athol Royalston Regional School Committee in years past
a member of the town’s Energy Committee and the Zoning Board of Appeals
is making her first bid for elective office
opted against running for re-election to a sixth term
There are no other contested races listed on Monday’s ballot for Athol
Those running unopposed include Lawrence McLaughlin
Athol Royalston Regional School Committee; and Kevin Matera
There is no candidate to represent Royalston on the regional school committee
incumbent Mark Thompson is running unopposed for a three-year term on the Selectboard
three people are running to fill the one year left in the term of Shelby Bronnes
Candidates include former board member Linda Alger and political newcomers Chris Deveneau and Steven Egan
Alger served a total of 18 years on the Selectboard between 1997 and 2018
Deveneau works for the state Department of Corrections and serves part-time on the Royalston Police Department
Egan is chair of the Royalston Police Department Study Committee
Incumbents running unopposed include Barbara Richardson
Planning Board; Nancy Melbourne and Gary Winitzer
Polls in both communities will be open from 10 a.m
Balloting in Athol will take place in Memorial Hall at Town Hall
Voting in Royalston will take place in the first-floor community room at Town Hall
The Scottish Highlanders march at Blair Castle in Blair Atholl Scotland
The Highlanders will arrive in Athol on Wednesday
The Scottish Highlanders will arrive in Athol on Wednesday
which will include marching in the River Rat Promenade
ATHOL — An ensemble of musicians from across “the pond” will be leading the annual River Rat Promenade down Main Street this year
Capitol and visiting the United Kingdom’s embassy in Washington D.C
the group will march in New York’s Tartan Week parade on April 6 and participate in other events during the week-long celebration of Scottish heritage
Sixty-one members of the only legal private army in Europe will be on hand to help Athol
Orange and the rest of the North Quabbin region to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the 7-mile race as well as the 75th anniversary of the founding of the Athol Lions Club
co-chair of the Athol Historical Society’s Atholl to Athol Committee
the two groups have been developing a sister city relationship since the early 1960s
“There will be many opportunities for people to see and interact with members of the regiment,” Whipps said in a statement
various homes for elders and local businesses
the Atholl to Athol Committee will host a ceilidh (kay-lee) at Athol Town Hall
A ceilidh is a traditional Scottish gathering with dancing.”
“Highland dancing is like contra dancing or square dancing
I’ve had the honor of dancing in this style and it’s so much fun
We’ve booked a fantastic ceilidh band with a caller who will help keep everyone in step.”
Tickets for the dance are $10 and are now available at the North Quabbin Chamber of Commerce Office
the Scottish Highlanders will lead the River Rat Promenade
stopping a few times along the way to perform
“The Atholl Highlanders bagpipe band is one of the best in the world,” Whipps said
“and an incredible treat to see and hear.”
This will be the first time since 2012 that the Highlanders have made an appearance in Athol
“I think the sister city relationship we have created with Blair Atholl gives folks a glimpse into the lives of people from another part of the world,” Whipps told the Athol Daily News
“We’re very excited to introduce to our residents the Gaelic culture by hosting a traditional ceilidh
(April 11) the men will have free time to explore our community with their host families
It’s very fitting that as we approach the 250th anniversary of our nation
we can come together with those who left us long ago.”
Whipps said her mother served on the previous Atholl to Athol committees “and I’m proud to have chaired the 2012 and 2025 visits.”
One event planned during the regiment’s visit will take place in neighboring Phillipston
“These visits help lift the spirits of our residents,” Whipps stressed
“As this is a ceremonial army and all the men have other full-time jobs
it’s an opportunity for them to bond with us as well.”
The band is led by pipe major Gary West and drum major Niall West
“I purposefully housed them with local musician Fern Parker
who is planning an open mic and jam session at Red Apple Farm on Friday
members of the Atholl to Athol Committee include Co-Chair William Kessler
Michael Adams and Athol Historical Society President Debra Ellis
“Some of the Atholl Highlanders on this tour have fathers
grandfathers and uncles who visited during previous tours
making this a real multi-generational relationship,” Whipps concluded
“I hope this is a tradition that will continue long after I’m gone.”
Greg Vine can be reached at gvineadn@gmail.com
Angelina Spinelli-Plaza and Anslem Ugwu Cabral
South Deerfield’s Keith Burch tees off on the 13th hole at the 2025 U.S
Open Local Qualifier at Crumpin-Fox Club in Bernardston on Thursday
South Deerfield’s Keith Burch chips onto the 13th green at the 2025 U.S
Open Local Qualifier at Crumpin-Fox Club in Bernardston on Thursday
Ieuan Jones of Wales watches his second shot on the 13th hole at the 2025 U.S
Open Local Qualifier at Crumpin-Fox Club in Bernardston on Thursday
Northampton’s Aaron Van Epps putts on the 11th hole at the 2025 U.S
Northampton’s Aaron Van Epps tees off on the 11th hole at the 2025 U.S
BERNARDSTON — Golfers from all over flocked to Crumpin-Fox Club on Thursday for the 2025 U.S
hoping to get one step closer to achieving their dreams of competing in the 2025 U.S
Open at Oakmont Country Club in Pennsylvania
The top four finishers at each local qualifier — taking place at 110 different courses across the country from April 16 through May 19 — advance to the Final Qualifying Round
which begins on May 19 and runs until June 2 at at 13 different locations
The fifth and sixth place finishers at each local qualifier advance to the Final Qualifying Round as alternates
Wales’ Ieuan Jones was the first-place finisher after shooting a 3-under 69 on the day
Jones was proud of the performance especially having been under the weather this week
“I haven’t touched a club in three days to be honest because I’ve been sick
I got in a really good rhythm today and hit a lot of good shots
I just happened to make a few putts which is great.”
How does someone from Wales end up playing in a qualifier in Western Mass.
Jones — who went to high school in Michigan — attends Harvard and plays on the Crimson golf team
With Bernardston being one of the closest qualifiers
he made the trip out and played Crump for the first time
he said he had to figure it out as he went
“I go to Harvard so it’s a two hour drive from campus to here,” Jones said
You’re driving through nothing and a golf course just pops up
It looked like there could be some hidden creeks in different spots so I just tried to play it to places I could see.”
Jones came into the tournament having placed second at the Ivy League Championship this past weekend and stayed hot on Thursday
shooting just one bogey on both the front and back nine while adding birdies on 6
He said he’ll be looking to keep the momentum going in the Final Qualifying Round
Kentucky’s Robbie Keyes and Weston’s Cooper Griffin finished in a tie for second after both carded 1-under scores of 71
Keyes had good luck playing on Western Mass
Amateur Championship at Berkshire Hills Country Club in Pittsfield a few years ago
With his sister working at Williams College
he decided to come back out and compete at Crump on Thursday and it was once again a successful trip
it’s always better when you actually qualify
It proves to people you can actually do it.”
who was 1-over after nine following a pair of bogeys
He scored birdies on 10 and 13 but bogeys on 12 and 14 kept him 1-over before a strong finish that saw him birdie 17 and 18 brought him to 1-under
“It was pretty up and down but overall very well,” Keyes said
While many were playing Crumpin-Fox for the first time
Griffin had experience on the course having played it during a Mass
He said he enjoyed the experience and looked forward to coming back to play again
though bogeys on 6 and 9 put him at 1-under going into the back nine
He fell back to even after a bogey on 15 but birdied 17 to seal his spot in the next round
Griffin has made it past the local qualifier in the past and is hoping to make it one step further this year
Three years ago I made it past the local qualifiers in Foxborough
I’m used to it now but it’s still a nervous feeling.”
Maine’s Shawn Warren both closed out their round even par
leading to a playoff to determine which would advance to the final qualifying round
Jones took the playoff to punch the final spot while Warren and Bedford
New Hampshire’s Patrick Gocklin (1-over) will move on as alternates
There were several locals who competed on Thursday
Northampton’s Aaron Van Epps carded an 8-over 80
South Deerfield’s Keith Burch shot a 9-over 81
Conway’s Gunnar Moore carded a 10-over 82 while Greenfield’s Will Conant came in with a 19-over 91
dressed as Glenda the Good Witch from the Wizard of Oz
Second-place finisher Mike Babineau (left) and 2025 Big Cheese 5K winner Jamie Kennedy
rain and 2-3 inches of snow on the ground failed to deter many who signed up to run in the annual Big Cheese 5K
which has become a big part of River Rat Race weekend
Of the more than 250 people who had signed up to run
nearly 150 braved the elements to take part
Athol’s Jamie Kennedy finished first overall
I really don’t mind running in this kind of weather
and I wanted to run well in my new hometown.”
crossing the finish line with a time of 19:30
Orange’s Cameron Woodcock finished third overall with a time of 19:48
The first woman to complete the rain-soaked race was Katie Babineau of Athol
Second place for the women went to Lily Celata of Baldwinville
Kelsey Cass of Athol crossed the line at 25:04
was asked what motivated him to come out for a run on such a cold
“A little snow never hurt anybody,” he said
do your best — that’s all you have to take out of it
The race was a sort of family affair for the Celatas
Couple Jeff and Crystal Pratt of Orange also took part in Saturday’s 5K
while Crystal said this would be her first time in the Big Cheese
There are no excuses to not show up for training
so there are no excuses to not show up for this.”
Jeff Pratt said he hadn’t run a race since before the pandemic
“I started in my 40s and kind of liked it,” he said
Carla Halpern of New Salem brought a little whimsy to the race
“My first race was the Great Muffin Race in 2005.”
the Great Muffin Race raised funds for cancer survivors
This isn’t bad weather for a race,” she exclaimed with a smile
to the May Day rally at the State House on Thursday
The family sat on their car parked on Capitol Street across from the rally
The crowd reacts to cars passing in front of the State House during the May Day rally on Thursday
Candace Bergstrom has a plan in mind if U.S
Immigration and Customs Enforcement ever comes knocking on her classroom door
I would stand in front of a student,” the NHTI faculty member said
Bergstrom stood with several hundred other protesters in front of the State House arch in Concord
She’s seen the national rhetoric filter down to the state level
and she said that the nation has become too concerned with immigration
Selchen drove an hour and a half from the North Country town of Wonalancet to put her anger to good use
People from across the state acted on that sentiment as they gathered Thursday evening for May Day
a moment on the calendar that celebrates workers’ and immigrants’ rights
Granite Staters who rallied – some of them immigrants – took the opportunity to express their dismay over the Trump administration’s immigration policies and actions
as well as drawing attention to immigrants’ contributions to America
“They work and contribute to our society,” Bergstrom said
with bringing their cultures and experiences to us
Several people took issue with an apparent lack of due process in the Trump administration’s arrests and deportations
specifically the mistaken deportation of a Maryland man
Those who support the president’s policies say it’s a necessary effort to remove people who may be in the country illegally
Bergstrom wonders whether the fear of heightened immigration enforcement has affected her class participation
saying she thinks her students “feel unsafe.”
A Stoddard resident and professor at the New Hampshire Technical Institute
she also teaches English to migrants through the International Institute of New England and the New Hampshire Humanities Council’s Connections program
She’s noticed fewer people attending in person recently than when she started in December
she often paused to wave her sign as passing cars honked in support on their way down Main Street
a throng of boisterous protesters held their flags and signs and sang to the Woody Guthrie anthem
It was at least the eighth anti-Trump protest in Concord since he took office in January
from Ireland about 45 years ago and obtained citizenship about 25 years ago
He doesn’t necessarily worry about being deported himself
but he imagines it could happen – especially with his thick Irish accent as a giveaway
he can arrest me because I am an American citizen
but I don’t carry my passport with me and I have no way of proving that I’m an American citizen,” Kenny said
“It’s getting more like Germany in the forties
“They’re kicking a lot of good people out of the country – I’m sure bad ones as well – but a lot of good people,” Neil said
Charlotte Matherly is the statehouse reporter for the Concord Monitor and Monadnock Ledger-Transcript in partnership with Report for America
subscribe to her Capital Beat newsletter and send her an email at cmatherly@cmonitor.com
.st1{fill-rule:evenodd;clip-rule:evenodd;fill:#2a2a2a}By Andrew Fantucchio | AFantucchio@masslive.comLogan Cormier couldn’t be touched on the mound Friday afternoon for the Athol High School baseball team
the senior set down 13 batters by way of the “K”
leading the Bears to a 1-0 victory over Lenox
and the boys were great behind him,” Athol coach Josh Talbot said
“He had four pitches working today and was able to go the distance without running his pitch count up.”
Cormier allowed just four base runners throughout the entire game
and each one had to earn their way on with a base hit as he didn’t surrender a single free pass
Cormier made sure to contribute to his own cause by scoring the game’s only run in the first inning when Eli Wein drove him in with an RBI single
Seamus Cooney was equally as dominant on the bump for Lenox
striking out nine in six innings of work while giving up only four hits and two walks
Athol padded its lead in the Bi-County North standings by moving to 7-2
The Bears will host Bartlett High School on Saturday
the loss snapped what was a three-game winning streak for the Millionaires
they had scored a combined 31 runs in their last three outings
Lenox will visit Monument Mountain Regional on Monday
Athol High School 1, Lenox Memorial Middle & High School 0 - Box Score
Mount Everett Regional High School 7, Franklin County Tech. School 1 - Box Score
McCann Technical High School 15, Mahar Regional School 1 - Box Score
Drury High School 11, Smith Academy 1 - Box Score
Granby Jr./Sr. High School 9, Springfield International Charter School 2 - Box Score
Southwick Regional School 14, Amherst-Pelham Reg High School 3 - Box Score
Monument Mountain Regional High School 8, Mount Greylock Regional School 5 - Box Score
Taconic High School 19, Wahconah Regional High School 4 - Box Score
Frontier Regional School 7, Easthampton High School 5 - Box Score
Pioneer Valley Regional High School 6, Greenfield High School 1 - Box Score
Hampshire Regional Middle/High School 15, Hopkins Academy 4 - Box Score
Westfield Technical Academy 10, Smith Voc. High School 2 - Box Score
Agawam High School 10, Holyoke High School 0 - Box Score
Belchertown High School 10, Chicopee Comp High School 0 - Box Score
Springfield Central High School 12, East Longmeadow High School 1 - Box Score
Longmeadow High School 10, Northampton High School 3 - Box Score
Pittsfield High School 13, West Springfield High School 3 - Box Score
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Athol High School 1, Lenox Memorial Middle & High School 0 - Box Score
Mount Everett Regional High School 7, Franklin County Tech. School 1 - Box Score
McCann Technical High School 15, Mahar Regional School 1 - Box Score
Drury High School 11, Smith Academy 1 - Box Score
Granby Jr./Sr. High School 9, Springfield International Charter School 2 - Box Score
Southwick Regional School 14, Amherst-Pelham Reg High School 3 - Box Score
Monument Mountain Regional High School 8, Mount Greylock Regional School 5 - Box Score
Taconic High School 19, Wahconah Regional High School 4 - Box Score
Frontier Regional School 7, Easthampton High School 5 - Box Score
Pioneer Valley Regional High School 6, Greenfield High School 1 - Box Score
Hampshire Regional Middle/High School 15, Hopkins Academy 4 - Box Score
Westfield Technical Academy 10, Smith Voc. High School 2 - Box Score
Agawam High School 10, Holyoke High School 0 - Box Score
Belchertown High School 10, Chicopee Comp High School 0 - Box Score
Springfield Central High School 12, East Longmeadow High School 1 - Box Score
Longmeadow High School 10, Northampton High School 3 - Box Score
Pittsfield High School 13, West Springfield High School 3 - Box Score
who interns in the Office of Planning and Development
has proposed a series of upgrades to the park
Sneha Shinde’s proposal for Fish Park includes new play areas for children
ATHOL – A UMass grad student interning in the town’s Office of Planning and Development has drafted a proposal to upgrade Fish Park
who is working on her masters in landscape architecture
presented her plan to the Open Space and Recreation Review Committee at its meeting on April 22
Shinde’s proposal includes pathways compliant with the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA)
while also creating specific areas for year-round social
Also among the proposed improvements would be inclusive play areas for children of all abilities and improved parking
The five-acre Fish Park is an open space with little in the way of shelter or shading
Shinde’s proposal would create green infrastructure to include bioswales
rain gardens and permeable surfaces for flood resistance
It would also “support biodiversity through native plantings and landscape strategies; provide reading and relaxation zones with shade
and visual connectivity to nature.” This would include planting trees of varying species around nearly the entire perimeter of the park
Aspects of the plan which the committee took particular interest in is the creation of an amphitheater which would allow for a variety of community events
from rallies and celebrations to musical concerts and theatrical performances
This could alleviate the need for the expensive rehabilitation of the crumbling bandstand
which has been closed for several years due to its condition and that it does not comply with the ADA
Shinde provided a brief history of the park
which opened around the turn of the last century
The bandstand was constructed in 1919 and restored in the 1980s
She also displayed photos from the park’s early days
which showed people skating on a temporary pond and participating in other activities
The photos showed many more trees in and around the park than is found there today
We’ve been having sessions internally – planning
and my office – about how to re-envision Fish Park
Suhoski said that “The old bandstand is not accessible – it’s not accessible and it’s falling apart
I would like to something a little more accessible
we were looking around the natural ‘shell’ to see if there was a way to install some kind of amphitheater
It could be designed so we could still have sledding in the winter
but there would be a space where people could have events there
We could just take advantage of the natural resource
this is something we wanted to do internally
she was generating ideas that really got everybody brainstorming and thinking about possibilities.”
Suhoski noted that grad students majoring in design were brought in to envision possible plans for redevelopment of the former Bigelow/Riverbend schools
“These graduate students put forward ideas,” he said
but it got people thinking about possibilities and provided a proof of concept
A couple of years later we had a developer on board and an engineer that took those ideas to the next level
That’s analogous to what we’re doing with Fish Park
“We have these great ideas that Sneha put forward
The boards and the committees will pick the best of them
and we’ll find a way economically to make it happen
I think there are ways to find the funding
By the time we get designs and do the community process
we’ll be able to identify some funding sources that can make this happen.”
Planning and Development Director Eric Smith he plans to make Shinde’s proposal available for public viewing
ATHOL – A review of the proposed budget for the Athol Royalston Regional School District on Wednesday shows that a few changes could have significant impacts
ARRSD Business Manager Nancy Konisky presented the district’s proposed budget of just over $38 million for the next fiscal year to the Athol Royalston School Committee on April 16
$4.6 million for out of district tuition and School Choice
“The key budget drivers for next year – number one is special education,” said Konisky
“Our transportation costs are extremely high – between foster care transportation and McKinney Vento Transportation – and services for our kiddos in special education just keeps rising
occupational therapy – we need additional paraprofessionals
All of that contributes to the additional costs we’re seeing in this year’s budget
and we added them in to next year’s budget.”
Konisky said salaries are another major driver of the budget
“We added the elementary school dean at ACES (Athol Community Elementary School) and RCS (Royalston Community School),” she said
“Miscellaneous duties and stipends in summer school programs were added in
The district business manager noted that health insurance costs have jumped by nearly 20%
union members will be paying 30% of their insurance premiums
“Those two have been a significant hit for our employees,” Konisky added
The district will suffer a significant loss next year due to the fact that the number of students from low-income families has dropped below 70%
the ARRSD will receive $956,000 less in state Student Opportunity Act funds in FY26
“As Nancy just went through the various revenues we have and all of the expenses
we try to be as transparent as possible,” said Superintendent Matt Ehrenworth
“We show every cent that we have and all the revenue we have.”
chair of the Finance and Warrant Advisory Committee
“It looks like they’ve done a good job of trying to keep things under control and that’s big for numerous reasons.”
Duffy credited Ehrenworth and Town Manager Shaun Suhoski for staying in regular contact regarding the finances of the school district and the town
the Finance Committee haven’t really met yet
there has been a lot of conversation and communication between the leadership of the district and the leadership of the town,” Duffy said
I think (the district’s) numbers are in line with what Shaun is planning for the municipal side
In 2012, playwright Athol Fugard, who was then 80, said, "I have a greater sense of adventure at this moment in my life than I ever had in the past." Fugard is pictured above in February 1985
When apartheid ended, and Nelson Mandela was elected president of South Africa, Athol Fugard thought his life as a playwright was over, he told NPR in 2015
"I sincerely believe that I was going to be South Africa's first literary redundancy," Fugard said
South Africa caught me by surprise again and just said
Fugard told stories about the corrosive effects of a political system which oppressed the black majority in his native country
The prolific playwright died Saturday in Stellenbosch
He chronicled life both during and after apartheid in such plays as Blood Knot
Sorrows and Rejoicings and "Master Harold"..
London theater critic Matt Wolf says Fugard wrote intimate
"So very many of his plays have casts of two or three
teeming canvas is the canvas of the imagination
Blood Knot featured only two actors onstage; they played brothers
He told NPR's Michel Martin that the play was considered revolutionary at the time
"The play shattered one jingoistic belief that the stage belonged to things that looked like English drama," recalled the playwright
"And the notion that a South African story would be not only possible — but would be entertaining and significant — amazed South African audiences."
As well as audiences in London and New York
But South African authorities confiscated his passport
South African playwright Athol Fugard with actors John Kani (left) and Winston Ntshona at a 1973 production of Sizwe Bansi Is Dead in London
The playwright was born in 1932 and grew up in Port Elizabeth
and an alcoholic – something Fugard struggled with himself
Fugard said she helped him find the empathy that guided him through the years
"Society was trying to make me conform to a set of very rigid racist ideas," Fugard explained
"And she was endowed with just a natural sense of justice and decency
And she was asking questions about the world in which the two of us found ourselves struggling
where white 17-year-old Hally spends an afternoon with two Black men who work there
They are surrogate fathers for the confused teenager
Fugard told South African television in 1992: "The young Athol Fugard did in fact spit in the face of a Black man to his eternal shame
I can remember that moment in my childhood when it happened."
The play was banned in South Africa but was a hit around the world and filmed several times
It is a play "about a breakdown of communication
about a withdrawal away from an understanding of each other into our separate
The collision of those worlds had serious consequences during apartheid
ended up on Robben Island with Nelson Mandela," Fugard said
That notorious prison became the setting for a Tony Award-winning play, The Island, which Fugard created with actors John Kani and Winston Ntshona
the number of times over the years that his name has come up and people who don't know much about him think that he's Black," says critic Matt Wolf
And I don't think they quite realize the empathic project that his life is."
Fugard said both his mother and the work of creating art itself forced him to be empathetic
"My job as an artist is to exercise and to keep my imagination strong enough to make those leaps out of my reality and into other realities," Fugard explained
It's a job that he took seriously and the stories he told
An earlier version of this story misspelled the city Cape Town as Cape Twon
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The sun sets behind the hills of North Quabbin
looking west from Chestnut Hill Avenue in Athol
Royalston’s Selectboard Tuesday night decided town officials should meet with Athol Town Manager Shaun Suhoski to discuss the terms of the intermunicipal agreement under which Athol public works employees oversee operation of Royalston’s wastewater treatment plant
Suhoski recommended a three-year extension of the agreement
which includes an increase in Royalston’s payments to Athol of 7% for each of the three years
The fee does not include maintenance or repair of the collection system
managed through the Royalston Department of Public Works
The proposed increase in costs for Royalston mimics those for the water and sewer rates for Athol residents– 7% per year for three years – approved by that town’s Selectboard
The two towns have been operating under this agreement for the treatment plant since 2020
Royalston Tax Collector Rebecca Krause-Hardie replied
“When this agreement came up the last time their proposal was very similar
the rates are unrelated; what you charge in Athol and what you charge us are very different
because the majority of expenses we’re already putting into our budget
We’re committed to all the capital expenses
were for the employees sent from Athol to Royalston
Krause-Hardie conceded that Royalston “is kind of stuck” because Athol’s rate for services is well below what us charged by private companies
“But I think there’s room for negotiations here,” she said
Regarding the Athol employees who tend the Royalston facility
Royalston Public Works Director Jaret Thiem said
“They do the work up here on Athol’s time and they get a stipend
half of what we pay them – roughly – goes to the stipends that they pay their employees for the work they do here
the rate in Athol has nothing to do with what they charge us
The first time they came up here to present their grand plans of what they want to do for us
the previous superintendent in Athol said how great it was to do Royalston’s treatment plant
Then they come up here and tell us costs are going through the roof
so I think they’re just being a little greedy.”
Royalston Selectboard Chair Bill Chapman asked
if we pay for all of the chemicals and all of the rest?”
“The labor and the licenses,” Thiem responded
Board member Mark Thompson wanted to know who paid for the removal of sludge from the treatment plant
“That wasn’t included in the first agreement,” said Thiem
they (Athol) were far below the cost estimates given to us by other companies
So I think it’s mutually beneficial for both parties to be doing it this way
But we also need keep asking what (costs) have actually gone up for them to do the work in Royalston?”
Thompson suggested asking the appropriate Athol officials to attend a Selectboard meeting to discuss the agreement
“The exact question we need to ask them,” said newly-elected board member Linda Alger
What has increased for you that we’re getting and that we need to pay for
and Krause-Hardie should try to set up a meeting with Suhoski and his staff to further discuss the agreement
ATHOL – A house on Glendale Avenue was heavily damaged in a fire Friday evening
According to Athol Fire Department Photographer Bryan Favreau
Athol Fire responded to find a fully involved structure fire and immediately called for a first alarm
which brought in mutual aid from the Orange
The Royalston and Rutland fire departments provided station coverage
According to information shared on social media by the Athol Fire Department
the 1 ½ story home was fully engulfed in flames and crews on scene began an exterior attack
The bulk of the fire was knocked down quickly and crews focused on hot spots within the home
One party was transported to the hospital with minor injuries
The cause of the fire is not known at this time and remains under investigation
Max Bowen can be reached at 413-930-4074 or at mbowen@atholdailynews.com
The South African writer, who has died aged 92
was grateful for his extraordinary life and wrote out of love rather than anger
Read moreHis partner in creation and fun was Paula
perhaps the most formidably intelligent person I know
The project we were all working on together was
They were relentlessly clear-eyed and analytical in all they did
But they were also two extremely romantic people
to the point where they’d decided to start a family together
which I think was nurtured by his many years as a practising Buddhist
He felt very lucky to have lived an extraordinary life
I think that life contains an urgent lesson for us
His work is a model for how to resist a regime one detests while remaining committed to the country one loves – a pressing question for a great many people today
speaking to an online audience convened by the Society of Authors last year
he shared what I thought might be the key tenet of that project: “Anger is a withering emotion
Barney Norris is a playwright and novelist
ATHOL – Town Manager Shaun Suhoski Thursday awarded the contract to undertake the greening of Lord Pond Plaza to J
the Clinton company was the lowest of five submitted for the project
Bids for the project were opened on Monday
which ultimately recommended that Bates be awarded the contract
Athol received a $3 million Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness grant to completely re-make the six-acre Lord Pond Plaza by daylighting Mill Brook
which currently runs beneath the parking lot
The work will also create space for community events and increase the safety of traffic moving through the plaza
$1 million of the grant will be disbursed to the town
with the remaining $2 million coming in FY26
“The structure of the agreement is driven in part by how the state will be disbursing the grant funds,” said Suhoski
order materials and get a jump start on construction before the end of June
But most of the work will occur later in the summer and into 2026.”
Suhoski was pleased that Bates’ bid came in below the amount awarded to the town under the MVP grant
“They are a MassDOT qualified contractor,” he added
so we’re very pleased that we’re able to do the whole project
including the alternates that we put in there
like final paving and streetscape materials.”
The town manager is hopeful that the low bid will give the town a little room to cover some work that had been cut from the original scope of the project
“I want to give one caveat,” Suhoski explained
“We had a concept for some green space and community space
behind the senior center and the veterans center; it’s just kind of a dusty sandlot back there
In our original plans we had some improvements slated for that
but we took them out because – with it – the engineer’s estimate was over the $3 million
“We’re hopeful we’ll be able to access the full $3 million from the state and we have $100,000 in available local grant match monies
we will get some additional work done that was taken out of the project before the bid.”
Suhoski expressed satisfaction that the improvements to Lord Pond Plaza will have a significant impact on the town
“It’s not a calling card for downtown Athol
If you’re walking or driving through the parking lot
the pedestrians – it’s not safe for traffic; people are cutting through all different ways
And it creates a documented urban heat island – all that pavement.”
Suhoski referred to the greening of Lord Pond Plaza as a “legacy project” for the town of Athol
and perhaps that will even spur additional investment
in some of the challenged properties that surround that area,” he said
voted to increase the rates for water and sewer service in the town of Athol
Public Works Director Dick Kilhart pointed out to the board that there was no increase in the cost of water and sewer service for the current fiscal year after increases of 8%
“The proposal that the DPW is coming to you with is the same proposal that we came before you with four years ago,” said Kilhart
Using as visual aids a gallon of bottled water purchased for $1.79 and a 16-ounce bottle purchased for 99 cents
Kilhart then held up a penny and continued
“The increase that your Department of Public Works is proposing is less than one cent per gallon.”
“We can’t level fund budgets,” Kilhart continued
But we have expenses in those water and sewer divisions that we can’t absorb – chemical costs
Kilhart said rates are figured using the amounts of water and sewage the town pumps
“The DPW has really tried to maintain a level line as best we could over the course of time,” he said
“But every time you skip that one year (of increases) you get a year further behind
but we try to maintain the services that we have
the protections we supply to the residents of Athol
and hopeful that you feel the same way and will support (the recommended increases).”
Kilhart recommended that the town send out water and sewer bills on a monthly basis rather than quarterly
“If you have a quarterly bill that comes to $250
that monthly bill would be around $75,” he said
“It would be less than any other bill that any of us have at home – cell phone bill
monthly billing would generate revenue “on a regular occurrence” instead of every three months and would make it easier for water and sewer customers to plan their budgets
Selectboard member Rebecca Bialecki motioned almost immediately that the board approve the move to monthly billing
“I thing it’s easier for our residents to pay on a monthly basis,” she said
“and to do that as soon as possible for our accounting purposes.”
Following several questions from residents in attendance
Bialecki and the other two board members present
Bialecki then motioned that the board approve an increase in water and sewer rates of 7% per year over each of the next three years
Dodge asked if the water and sewer divisions were running at a deficit
$280,00 – something like that,” said Assistant DPW Director Paul Raskevitz
“What’s the yearly cost to run it?” Dodge continued
and Sujdak again voted as a block to approve the increase
with Dodge again casting a dissenting vote
Athol residents are paying $5.47 per 100 cubic feet for water
That will increase to $5.85/100 cf beginning July 1
$10.02/100 cf and $10.72/100 cf over each of the next three years
Athol’s DPW also supplies water to a neighborhood in Orange that lies just over the town line
Rates for those homeowners will also rise 7% per year over the next three fiscal years
the Selectboard heard from Public Works Director Dick Kilhart regarding the possibility of giving more flexibility to the town’s winter overnight parking ban
The ban is enforced between the hours of midnight and 6 a.m
asked Kilhart and his team to weigh the potential impact of any alterations to the policy
particularly those driving plows following a significant snowstorm
“Since you asked me about this,” Kilhart told the board
“I’ve had conversations with our police chief
and the policies in every town and in every direction that you look – some are more stringent than others.”
and pointed out there have been many times when storms occurred prior to Nov
according to Police Chief Craig Lundgren and the chief’s executive assistant
There were warnings that were issued prior to that snowstorm
but no tickets were no tickets written during the storm
our crew would call the police department if we couldn’t get a street cleared.”
To illustrate some of the difficulties faced by his plow crews
“I’m not picking on the folks on Cottage Street
but that’s a very small neighborhood street
If you get two vehicles (parked) on both sides of the road and we get a plowable event
That means your ambulances and your fire trucks and your police cars probably aren’t getting through there either.”
The DPW chief said that the town has thus far issued just a handful of stickers for off-street parking
“and we have a whole bunch of spaces available for $5 for off-street parking
So there is availability for people to get off the road if they so choose.”
administrative assistant to the town manager
said there are 40 off-street spots currently available
“It would be my recommendation,” Kilhart said
He went on to explain that changes in topography from one section of Athol to another can lead to different depths of snow being deposited
might argue they need not be off the street overnight in downtown Athol due to a lack of snow
while at the same time uptown Athol is getting several inches
“In order to keep the streets clear,” he added
and damage happens when the snow is deep and pieces of blacktop and sometimes pieces of front lawn are associated with that” resulting in damage and insurance claims
Board member Kala Fisher said she brought up changing the policy at the board’s last meeting because she has been approached by a number of constituents
“People were saying they’re getting ticketed,” said Fisher
But I needed to bring it up so that people realize that it’s not something that we just throw out there lightly because we don’t want you parking on the street.”
Kilhart told the board it typically takes his department anywhere from 48 to 72 hours to clean up Athol following a storm
In addition to streets time must be spent clearing sidewalks as well
“If my crews are out for 16 hours,” he added
more than likely we’re not doing sidewalks that next morning
“I have to agree with keeping it as it is,” board member Brian Dodge said
The Police Department is giving them warnings; snow is coming
With today’s communications – cell phones and everything we’ve got today – there’s not a lot people who don’t know a storm is coming.”
the board decided to abide by Kilhart’s advice
with no one offering a motion to change the existing winter overnight parking policy