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Dave Watkins

Holyoke Finance Committee Tables Pension Extension Resolution, Approves Six Transfers

HOLYOKE -- February 10, 2026, Holyoke Finance Committee tables pension schedule resolution after state actuary says 2037 target requires legislative action. John Borak, actuary for the Public Employees Retirement Administration Commission, told the committee at its February 10 meeting that Chapter 32, Section 22F bars any fiscal year's pension

Blandford Select Board Questions Use of $10,000 Veterans Budget After Years of Inaction

BLANDFORD -- February 10, 2026, Blandford Select Board meets with veterans agent for the first time in years, finds significant gaps. The board convened a working session with part-time Veterans Service Agent Joe Coury, who has served the town since 2012 on a stipend of under $2,000 annually, after

Brimfield Select Board Authorizes Traffic Study After Memorial Struck Again

Brimfield Select Board votes to seek free traffic study after Civil War Memorial is hit again.

Hampden Select Board Raises EV Rate, Advances Town Hall Use Agreements

Hampden Select Board raises EV charging rate and advances budget review amid rising costs.

School Committee Votes 4-0 to Submit 6.24 Percent Budget Increase Request

EAST LONGMEADOW -- February 9, 2026, East Longmeadow School Committee votes to seek a 6.24 percent budget increase but braces for a $370,000 shortfall. The four-member committee voted 4-0 Monday to submit a level-services budget request of approximately $2.3 million above current spending, while acknowledging

Palmer Select Board Hears Soccer Field Pleas, Faces $1.3 Million FY27 Deficit

PALMER -- February 9, 2026, Palmer Select Board confronts $1.3 million FY27 budget deficit as health insurance costs spike. Town Manager Brad Klepacki told the board Monday that a projected 35 percent increase in health insurance premiums, representing $1.1 million in added cost, has pushed the preliminary fiscal year

Palmer Select Board Hears Soccer Field Pleas, Faces $1.3 Million FY27 Deficit

PALMER -- February 9, 2026, Palmer Select Board confronts $1.3 million FY27 budget deficit as health insurance costs spike. Town Manager Brad Klepacki told the board Monday that a projected 35 percent increase in health insurance premiums, representing $1.1 million in added cost, has pushed the preliminary fiscal year

Blandford Select Board Approves Library Construction Contracts with DRA and Skanska

BLANDFORD -- February 9, 2026, Blandford Select Board locks in library construction contracts and debates Eversource response at February 9 meeting. The board voted unanimously to approve contract amendments with architect DRA and construction manager Skanska for the library's upcoming construction phase, with all costs covered by a Massachusetts

Holyoke Charter Panel Tables Decorum Rules, Advances Veterans Parking Plan

HOLYOKE -- February 4, 2026, Holyoke's Charter and Rules Committee recommended veterans parking at City Hall and the Senior Center without a home rule petition, while tabling two contested decorum orders. City Solicitor Mike Besonette told the committee Wednesday that state law poses no obstacle to the city designating

Hampden weighs water district expansion to cut Academy Hall heating costs

Hampden Select Board opens talks on water district expansion and rebuffs vague Wilbraham school facilities plan.

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