Hinds, Blais highlight benefits for hilltowns in state budget > >Gov. Charlie Baker signs the fiscal year 2022 state budget into law on July 16. Courtesy photo
Published: 8/2/2021 3:59:36 PM
The $47.6 billion fiscal year 2022 state budget contains a number of items of importance to the hilltowns as outlined by two lawmakers for the region, Sen. Adam Hinds, D-Pittsfield, and Rep. Natalie Blais, D-Sunderland.
“I think we work really effectively together in terms of tag-teaming in the State House,” Blais said.
The budget, for the fiscal year that began July 1, was signed into law July 16 by Gov. Charlie Baker.
“We go about budgets and every policy debate with a real eye on rural communities,” Hinds said, noting that the Western Massachusetts delegation works together as a team.
Hinds, Blais highlight benefits for Hilltowns in state budget >Published: 7/27/2021 8:55:40 PM
The $47.6 billion fiscal 2022 state budget contains a number of items of importance to the Hilltowns as outlined by two lawmakers for the region, Sen. Adam Hinds, D-Pittsfield, and Rep. Natalie Blais, D-Sunderland.
“I think we work really effectively together in terms of tag-teaming in the State House,” Blais said.
The budget, for the fiscal year that began July 1, was signed into law July 16 by Gov. Charlie Baker.
“We go about budgets and every policy debate with a real eye on rural communities,” said Hinds said, noting that the western Massachusetts delegation works together as a team.
Community members petition state for audit of Mohawk Trail Regional School hiring process > >Mohawk Trail Regional School Vice Principal Diane Zamer, pictured in July 2019 not long after she was hired. A group of parents and community members of the Mohawk Trail and Hawlemont regional school districts have requested an audit from Massachusetts Elementary and Secondary Education Commissioner Jeffrey Riley concerning Zamer’s hiring. File Photo
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BUCKLAND A group of parents and community members of the Mohawk Trail and Hawlemont regional school districts have requested an audit from Massachusetts Elementary and Secondary Education Commissioner Jeffrey Riley concerning the hiring of a vice principal who lacked the appropriate certification or licensure at the time.
Revised leash law, budget face voters at Pelham Town Meeting
GAZETTE FILE PHOTO GAZETTE FILE PHOTO
By SCOTT MERZBACH
PELHAM Many people have taken to trails in Pelham with their dogs during the pandemic.
But with the increased exploration of these natural areas has come concerns about owners not controlling their pets, and dogs accosting other walkers and dogs.
When annual Town Meeting convenes Saturday, voters will consider a petition to require dogs to be leashed on public trails or private trails used by the public from 10 a.m. to dark, rather than to be just under voice command.
The tightening of the town’s leash law is one of 20 articles that will be taken up starting at 9 a.m. in the field behind Pelham Elementary School.
Recognition of wrong to tribes highlights Leverett’s Annual Town Meeting warrant
Published: 4/29/2021 4:01:31 PM
LEVERETT An acknowledgment that the land Leverett occupies was taken from the Nonotuck and Pocumtuck tribes could be made by residents when Annual Town Meeting convenes on Saturday.
The petition article states that “injury and injustice perpetrated on the native peoples by the colonial enterprise blights our collective conscience,” and if adopted would require all future Annual and Special Town Meetings to begin with this reflection. It’s one of 26 articles on the warrant to be taken up starting at 9 a.m. in the parking lot at Leverett Elementary School.