Southampton to float override to boost school budget
The William E. Norris School in Southampton GAZETTE FILE PHOTO
Published: 5/14/2021 1:52:57 PM
SOUTHAMPTON Several key positions at Norris Elementary School are at stake next fiscal year unless voters OK a $714,500 override next month, school officials say.
Next year’s budget without the override would require the School Committee to cut several positions, including a math interventionist, reading interventionist, special subject teacher, and paraprofessional; in addition to reducing a school nurse role to a half-time position and other cuts.
Principal Aliza Pluta said that the cut to Norris’ budget would be “devastating,” stating that it “takes away everything I said I needed to support students at Norris School.”
Easthampton High’s ‘We the People’ program brings home another national award
Easthampton High School students after winning the “We the People” state championship in late January for the fourth year in a row. Last month, students went on to win a divisional award at the national level. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
Published: 5/10/2021 8:29:49 PM
EASTHAMPTON Student competitors from Easthampton High School students had one of their highest-ranking years at the national “We the People” civics competition held late last month, bringing home a divisional award.
Though students this year faced additional difficulties posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the team continued to excel at the national level, which Easthampton High School students have frequented for the past decade.
Two dozen articles sail through Westhampton Town Meeting
Westhampton Town Hall GAZETTE FILE PHOTO
Published: 5/11/2021 10:36:43 AM
WESTHAMPTON All articles brought to a vote passed at a Town Meeting on Saturday morning, while an additional two articles were placed on hold as the town awaits more information from the state.
The 26 articles on the Town Meeting warrant asked voters whether the town should approve certain budgetary measures and line items, in addition to an article that lays out steps for the town to become a pollinator-friendly community.
The town’s proposed total operating budget for fiscal 2022, $6.32 million, presented an increase of 3.65%, or $222,264, over the current year’s budget.
Southampton offers rent relief program
Southampton Town Hall GAZETTE FILE PHOTO
Published: 5/10/2021 10:44:02 AM
SOUTHAMPTON The town has launched a short-term emergency rent relief program for residents who have experienced a COVID-related financial hardship and meet other eligibility requirements.
In addition to living in Southampton and being negatively impacted by COVID, renters must be behind in rent by at least one month and have a household income of no more than 80% of the area’s median income. For a two-person household that income figure is $54,650 and for a four-person household, $68,300.
The town set aside $6,000 in CARES Act funding to set up the program, which is being administered by Community Action Pioneer Valley and will grant awards of up to $1,000.
New award for nonprofits, businesses named for late regional planner Tim Brennan
GAZETTE FILE PHOTO GAZETTE FILE PHOTO
Published: 5/10/2021 11:42:01 AM
NORTHAMPTON A new award established in honor of the late Tim Brennan, who led the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission (PVPC) for decades, will recognize local organizations that serve the community while adapting to shifting cultural and economic environments.
With the Tim Brennan Exemplar Award, PVPC and the Economic Development Council of Western Massachusetts intend to honor Brennan, whose former colleagues say dedicated his adult life to public service, as well as non-profits and businesses that share his values.
After nearly 50 years with PVPC including almost 40 years as its executive director Brennan died in March 2020 at age 73, just several months after his retirement.