GOSHEN Hilltown officials had the opportunity Monday to share some of the challenges faced by rural areas in western Massachusetts with state Auditor Diana DiZoglio, who visited town in advance of a snowstorm to gather local concerns from the.
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Many communities scrambled to leave state mosquito spraying program
A mosquito PHOTO BY PROVIDENCE JOURNAL/TNS
Published: 6/1/2021 7:57:30 PM
During the past few months, several western Massachusetts communities have scrambled to meet a May 28 deadline to opt out of the state’s mosquito control spraying program.
Northampton became the latest municipality to opt out of the program under the State Reclamation and Mosquito Control Board (SRMCB) following in the footsteps of other towns like Amherst, Pelham, Williamsburg, Westhampton, Whately, Goshen and Greenfield.
“The Board of Health voted unanimously, recommending that the city opt out,” Northampton Public Health Director Merrideth O’Leary said.
Westhampton OKs $4.3M safety complex by 350-186 vote
Westhampton Town Hall STAFF PHOTO/GRETA JOCHEM
Published: 3/13/2021 4:59:32 PM
WESTHAMPTON Voters approved a $4.3 million facility for the police and fire department in a special election Saturday.
Residents voted 350 to 186 in favor of a Proposition 2½ debt-exclusion override to finance the new safety complex. About 40% of the town’s registered voters cast ballots, according to figures from the town clerk s office.
On Saturday morning, a steady flow of people cast their vote at Town Hall.
Molly Butler voted for the facility. “We need to support our fire heroes and police force,” she said as she left the polls. “What they have to work with is not great down there.”
Westhampton voters to decide fate of public safety complex on Saturday
Steve Holt, the assistant fire chief for the Westhampton Fire Department, and Select Board Chairman Phil Dowling stand outside the Public safety building in Westhampton. Gazette file photo
Steve Holt, the assistant fire chief in Westhampton, explains how little room there is in the current public safety building for the equipment and protective gear. The current building is 4,000 square feet, while the new one would be 10,000 square feet. Gazette file photo
Published: 3/11/2021 2:41:32 PM
WESTHAMPTON Voters will decide on Saturday whether the town should move forward with plans to construct a new $4.3 million public safety complex for police and fire personnel.