The additional UMass funding covers the cost of five Amherst ambulances during the busy nights.

AMHERST – Even before the start of the 2014-2105 academic year the University of Massachusetts is again committing to paying the town an additional $80,000 for expanded ambulance service during the fall and spring semesters.

The contribution covers the cost of having five ambulances available Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights instead of three.

University officials began the added contribution in March of 2013 and continued it for the 2013-2014 academic year.

The funding is in addition to the $363,718 the university pays to the town for ambulance service per a town-university agreement in fiscal 2012.

“This agreement extends the university’s support of expanded ambulance service, which has been a successful addition to public safety resources in the town over the past three semesters,” UMass Amherst Chancellor Kumble R. Subbaswamy said in a press release.

Having the extra ambulances was a way to address the town's vulnerability during busy times when it was transporting students to Cooley Dickinson Hospital in Northampton.

It can take about 30 minutes to transport students from Amherst to Northampton, tying up an ambulance for at least an hour.

Northampton's building inspector condemned the building last month and ordered the owner, Don Lia, to take it down.

NORTHAMPTON — The demolition of the former Honda dealership at 171 King St. will commence Monday morning at 7:30 a.m., Mayor David Narkewicz has announced.

Owner Don Lia of Huntington, N.Y. hired a contractor to take the building down days after a June 19 city council vote which authorized $81,650 in public spending for the demolition. Councilors said the city would demolish the building and send Lia the bill if he didn't act quickly.

Building Commissioner Louis Hasbrouck condemned the derelict building on June 6 and ordered Lia to tear it down. The enforcement effort came after the Fire Department extinguished a March 27 blaze inside the building.

The former dealership is on a 5.6-acre site a short walk from the city's downtown. The site is located across from a Florence Savings Bank branch at the corner of King and Finn streets. The roof is rotting, windows are broken, and unauthorized people have been breaking into the building, according to Hasbrouck.

The building has been vacant since the dealership closed in 2005. Last year, the Department of Environmental Protection fined Lia $15,000 for failing to address the effects of contaminated soil at the site.

All utilities have been cut to the building in anticipation of next week's demolition.

Don Lia owns a chain of auto dealerships in New York and lives in Huntington, N.Y. He has no business connection to Lia Honda at 293 King St., according to the owners of that dealership.

The money will be used to resurface a perimeter trail and other Puffer's Pond improvements.

AMHERST – While Puffer's Pond has been in the news lately for a less than auspicious reasons, attention now can focus on a $18,000 grant that will pay for improvements there.

Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Maeve Vallely Bartlett announced more than $600,000 in National Park Service's Land and Water Conservation Fund grants. This funding will be used to support land conservation and park projects in the Amherst, Boxford, Brockton and Chelmsford.

At Puffer's, the money will pay for the resurfacing of a perimeter trail, installation of an ADA-compliant trail and seating area, a new safety fence and beach amenities.  

In a press release, state Sen. Stanley C. Rosenberg said "Puffer's Pond is a beloved spot for residents of the greater Amherst area and I'm sure that the improvements this grant will finance will be warmly received by visitors to the Pond."

The pond has been in the news in recent days following the arrest of John S. Fitzgerald of Southampton who was charged after he allegedly exposed himself Wednesday afternoon.

A man faces criminal charges in Westfield after police said he assaulted a tow truck driver who was towing his car.

WESTFIELD – A man faces criminal charges in Westfield after police said he assaulted a tow truck driver who was towing his car.

Jeffrey Turgeon, 57, of Chicopee, is charged with assault and battery, breaking and entering for a misdemeanor and disorderly conduct. He was arraigned Friday in Westfield District Court and released on personal recognizance by Judge Thomas Estes.

The police report said officers responded around 2:30 p.m. May 17 to a report of a disturbance in a parking lot at Pheasant Hill Village in Agawam. The parking lot had a sign that said resident parking only and threatened towing for violators.

A tow truck driver was towing Turgeon’s black Mazda Miata — which did not have a resident parking tag — from the lot, when Turgeon came out of a residence and asked the driver to drop the car, saying he would move it.

The driver said it would cost $90 to drop the car. Turgeon offered to pay with a credit card, but the driver said he could only take cash. At this, Turgeon got angry and screamed and cursed, the report said.

A crowd gathered around, including the person who Turgeon had been visiting. Turgeon pushed the driver multiple times, backing him up against the side of his truck, the report said. Another man in the crowd stepped between the men, but then turned around and argued with the driver as well. That man then started pushing the driver, too, the report said.

Turgeon went to the passenger side of the truck, where the driver’s 8-year-old son was sitting. He climbed inside and tried to drop the car himself, frightening the boy, the report said.

The driver then pushed Turgeon out and locked the door before police arrived.

By the time police arrived, the other man who pushed the driver had gone, the report said.

After police talked to him, Turgeon produced a $100 bill and paid the $90 fee to the driver, the report said. His car was released.

The bill was signed into law by Gov. Deval Patrick.

LUDLOW – A new bill has been signed into law by Gov. Deval Patrick that extends the statute of limitations for sex abuse victims to file suit against their abusers.

The new law allows any childhood sex abuse victim up to the age of 53 to file civil charges against their alleged abuser. Prior to the passage of the new law sex abuse victims only had until age 21 to file civil suits against their abusers.

The law was signed by Patrick after it was unanimously approved in the House and Senate.

Kathy Picard, 51, of Ludlow, who says she is the victim of childhood sexual abuse, says she worked for 12 years for passage of the bill. She said she now has filed suit against a male family member who abused her between the ages of 7 and 17.

Victims of childhood sexual abuse should have the right to seek justice, Picard said. She said there is no statute of limitation for charging that someone committed murder.

“Childhood sexual abuse is the murder of a person’s innocence,” she said.

Picard said she told family members about her own childhood sexual abuse which took place between the ages of 7 and 17 and was advised to keep quiet about it.

Picard said she has worked to change the statute of limitations for 12 years.

In 2006, the criminal statute of limitations pertaining to childhood sexual abuse was extended from 15 years after the 16th birthday to 27 years.

“That happened when all the priest abuse (accusations) came out, and I thought, it’s not just priest abuse,” said Picard.

“This new law increases the statue of limitations to 35 years after a victim of sexual abuse’s 18th birthday to file a civil suit against their abuser,” Picard said. “The prior law gave victims only until their 21st birthday to file suit. Giving more survivors until the age of 53 will open doors for many.”

Picard plans to celebrate the new law with a reception on Aug. 23 at Samuel’s Sports Bar at the Basketball Hall of Fame. Tickets are $25 per person. Picard said she is trying to raise money to support the curriculum she teachers at the YMCA of Greater Springfield. Picard teaches children how to recognize and report sexual abuse through the Child Help, Speak Up, Be Safe program.

Picard said one in four girls and one in six boys are victims of childhood sexual abuse.

For more information or if you would like to attend, email Kathy Picard at kathychildadvocate@gmail.com

The 75-unit, loft-style apartment complex at Mason Square in Springfield is slated to begin sometime next year and take a year to complete, according to the developer.

SPRINGFIELD – The developer of a proposed $25 million apartment complex at Mason Square said Friday the project will promote historic preservation, neighborhood revitalization and the creation of decent, safe housing.

Gordon Pulsifer, president of First Resource Development Co., said the firm is prepared to begin renovations next year to develop a 75-unit apartment complex at the former Mason Square fire station and the vacant Indian Motocycle B building on State Street. The project, when begun, will take approximately a year to complete and will have loft-style, two-bedroom units, he said.

The buildings are in the Winchester Square Historic District, and all renovations will be done in accordance with historic preservation guidelines and with needed local and state historic approvals, Pulsifer said. The fire station has been closed for 25 years and has been suggested for uses ranging from a neighborhood library to a combination cyber cafe and college radio stationl.

First Resource, of Norwell, has a goal and a mantra, in bringing housing projects to urban areas to go into neighborhoods, help with revitalization efforts, and assist with providing improved housing opportunities, Pulsifer said..

“It’s all about lifting neighborhoods and people feeling better about where they live,” Pulsifer said. “I think it will do well.”

Gordon Pulsifer 

Both Mayor Domenic J. Sarno and Brian Connors, deputy director of planning and economic development, praised the project Friday..

Both buildings “have great historic importance to Springfield,” Connors said.

“We are looking forward to them both being preserved, redeveloped, and added to the tax rolls,” Connors said.

The development team is finalizing the purchase of the city-owned, long-vacant properties from the city for a total of $10,000, as approved by the City Council last year, The project will be afforded through private financing, historic tax credits, and low-income housing tax credits, Pulsifer said.

First Resource has brought various other housing projects to Springfield, including the Outing Park Apartments in the third of three phases. The $75 million Outing Park project will total more than 300 units in 23 buildings when completed.

On the Mason Square project, First Resource is working with American International College in creating the new housing. The college was chosen by the city as the “preferred developer” for the site more than four years ago, and announced the partnership with First Resource in January of 2013.

The buildings cover a triangular tract at the intersection of State and Wilbraham Road.

The goal is to ‘restore it to its original beauty,” and to add security, cameras and on-site management, Pulsifer said.

The complex will have mixed-income housing, with the majority of the units rented at market rates, but some will be low-income units, Pulsifer said.

First Resource also owns the 139-unit Indian Motocycle A property, that is fully occupied. It is seeking to purchase a commercial lot on State Street from the city to provide additional parking.

Sarno said First Resource has a very good track record of constructing quality affordable housing with a focus on making them secure.

The project at Mason Square continues a resurgence of the State Street corridor, Sarno said.

Connors said the development is a “key project” in the State Street redevelopment effort,

A closing date on the sale is being finalized and will be soon, Pulsifer and Connors said.

The accident happened just before 7:30 p.m. in the southbound lane of Riverdale Street, also known as Route 5, near the McDonald's restaurant by East Elm Street.

West Springfield police at the scene of a motorcycle accident on Riverdale Street at East Elm Street on Friday evening near the McDonalds. DAVE ROBACK / THE REPUBLICAN 

Update (10 p.m.): CBS 3 Springfield reports Route 5 has reopened. We're still waiting for information from the West Springfield police about the accident.

WEST SPRINGFIELD - Police are on the scene of a Friday night accident involving a motorcycle and an SUV on Riverdale Street near East Elm Street.

The accident happened just before 7:30 p.m. in the southbound lane of Riverdale Street, also known as Route 5, near the McDonald's restaurant by East Elm Street.

No information was available at this time about the accident or any injuries.

West Springfield police are detouring southbound traffic at Elm Street through the center of town.

This is a developing story. More information will be posted as it is known.

The defendants were accused of posing as representatives of the Luxembourg-based BBDA Global Investment Fund, which took deposits from investors in exchange for promises to bankroll their projects.

BOSTON – A Florida man has been sentenced to one year in federal prison for his role in a multi-state fraud scheme with ties to Greater Springfield.

Frank Barecich, 35, of Hollywood, Fla., was also ordered to serve three years of supervised release during a hearing Thursday before Judge Nathaniel M. Gorton in U.S. District Court in Boston.

In April 2014, Barecich pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud, 14 counts of wire fraud, and conspiracy to commit money laundering.

Along with two Florida men who have also pleaded guilty, Barecich was arraigned in U.S. District Court in Springfield, but their cases were transferred to Boston shortly after Judge Michael A. Ponsor assumed semi-retired status.

The defendants were accused of posing as representatives of the Luxembourg-based BBDA Global Investment Fund, which took deposits from investors in exchange for promises to bankroll their projects.

Instead, the defendants kept the money for themselves, defrauding more than 30 investors or companies doing business with BBDA and several spin-off ventures, according to the indictment, according to a 2012 grand jury indictment.

The amount reaped from the BBDA Global Investment scheme was not specified in the indictment, but deposits were often between $300,000 and $400,000.

In one case, the defendants encouraged an Oklahoma developer to invest in the Playa deBerwind hotel and casino in Puerto Rico; with the hopes of receiving $595 million in project funding, the developer provided a $400,000 deposit, the indictment states.

Developers of other projects, including those identified only as the Springfield Plantation, the Charlotte Club and China World Market Place - also provided as much as $300,000 in anticipation of funding.

Barecich’s co-defendants, John Condo, and Michael Zanetti, have all been convicted. In May 2014, Zanetti was ordered to 37 months in prison while Condo is awaiting sentencing.

In a related case, West Springfield financial adviser Sean E. Mansfield pleaded guilty in 2011 to swindling $3 million from clients, including funds he later invested in projects linked to the Zanetti and the other defendants.

Mansfield pled guilty to 17 counts of wire fraud, two counts of embezzlement and two counts of money laundering in 2011.He was given a 60-month prison term.

The case was investigated by the U.S. Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigations unit, among other federal agencies, and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Alex J. Grant and Karen L. Goodwin.

The meeting is at 3 p.m. at the police station.

Wilbraham police stationRepublican file 

WILBRAHAM – The Police Station Building Feasibility Committee will meet Monday at 3 p.m. at the Wilbraham Police Station to review proposals from 11 architects for a feasibility study for a new police station.

Voters have approved $35,000 for funding for a new police station and $35,000 for funding for a new senior center.

Roger Fontaine, chair of the police station building feasibility committee, said a study would determine a suitable site for a new police station as well as the proper acreage and the cost of a new facility.

Fontaine said the town’s current police station was built more than 100 years ago and the bricks in the foundation are falling apart.

A Senior Center Feasibility Committee is proposing a 15,000-square-foot senior center. Sites are still being evaluated. The existing senior center is located in a 3,840-square-foot space adjacent to the Scantic Valley YMCA at Post Office Park.

Members of a Police Station Building Feasibility Committee have said they are interested in building a new police station on a site along Boston Road. Many of the town’s police calls are to locations on Boston Road.

The Boston Scholar Athletes program is designed to help student athletes with improving their academic achievement/

SPRINGFIELD – The Boston Scholar Athletes program, which is designed to help student athletes improve their academic achievement, will be expanded to the Roger L. Putnam Vocational Technical Academy this year.

Mayor Domenic J. Sarno confirmed the plans for the program on Friday after meeting in Springfield with two key promoters of the Boston program: former Boston Mayor Thomas Menino; and Suffolk Construction Chief Executive Officer John Fish, who founded the program.

The specifics of the program will be announced soon, but Sarnop said it will be patterned after the Boston program and initially target just Putnam.

The idea is “hooking up academics and athletics, staying in school,” Sarno said.

The meeting with Sarno also included Springfield Superintendent of Schools Daniel Warwick, and had followed prior discussions and planning, Sarno said.

The Boston program was founded in 2009 through discussions involving Menino and Fish.

According to the Boston Scholar Athlete’s web page, the mission of the program “is to improve academic achievement through athletics.”

The Boston program includes academic coaching and counseling, a college readiness program, provision of high school intramural sports, and academic and athletic recognition including awards and scholarships, according to the organization.

“This focus is based on the proven link between athletic participation and positive academic performance,” the mission states.

“We strive to enhance the scholar-athlete experience, provide regular instruction to the coaching staff, and improve academic performance and personal growth,” the program states. “These collaborative efforts build skills, confident, shape character, and enhance opportunities for success.”

Sarno said the city is looking to “mirror” the Boston program as a public-private partnership.

Education is a key factor in knocking down poverty and promoting public safety in an urban area, Sarno said.

“I’m excited about it,” Sarno said.

Specifics will be announced in the near future, he said..

Eric Bertrand was charged with seven counts of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon by means of a shod foot and cayenne pepper

HADLEY – A 59-year-old Easthampton man was arrested on multiple charges Friday evening following a disturbance at Whole Foods Market during which he went through the store randomly throwing large amounts of powdered cayenne pepper at customers, police said.

Eric Bertrand was charged with seven counts of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon by means of a shod foot and cayenne pepper, a single count of assault and battery and disorderly conduct, police said.

Police were called to the Route 9 supermarket for reports of a man inside the store throwing some kind of powder in the air.

When they arrived, they determined the powder to be pepper and several customers had been affected by it. None required medical attention, police said.

Before police arrived, one customer apparently confronted Bertrand inside the store and the two started fighting. The customer, whose name was not disclosed by police, ended up being punched and kicked several times by Bertrand, police said. A store employed separated them before police arrived.

Betrand is scheduled to be arraigned Monday in Eastern Hampshire District Court.

Mayor Pedro Segarra said the planned move of the New Britain Rock Cats to Hartford in two years has sparked interest in redevelopment around the stadium site.

HARTFORD — City officials say they have dropped a $60 million public financing plan for a minor league baseball stadium and will seek private investment instead, following criticism by city residents about the cost to taxpayers.

 

Mayor announced the change Friday. He said the planned move of the New Britain Rock Cats to Hartford in 2016 has sparked interest in redevelopment around the stadium site and $60 million in bonding is no longer needed.

City officials didn't elaborate on the planned public-private stadium partnership. Segarra says the city is seeking proposals from property developers and construction managers for the partnership, and he expects revenue generated by the redevelopment to help pay for the stadium.

Rock Cats officials have agreed to sign a 25-year lease if the city builds a stadium.

The School Committee voted to approve a complete policy for students, which includes an insurance policy of $25 per year for students

WEST SPRINGFIELD - A total of 1,200 Google Chromebook laptop computers will be issued to students at West Springfield High School in the fall at the beginning of the 2014-2015 school year as part of the school system’s effort to engage students with computer-based learning.

The School Committee voted unanimously this week to approve a complete policy for students, which includes an insurance policy of $25 per year for students.

There is also a mult-year prepayment available at a discounted price to students, which is $75 for four years or $60 for three years.

Students who do not purchase the insurance will be obligated to pay for the cost of either repair or replacement to their Chromebook up to $250.

The Google Chromebooks are valued at approximately $250 each. The purchase of devices was included within the total cost of the $107.1 million high school project.

“WSHS is implementing the Chromebook initiative to further personalize the way each student uses time, receives support to master essential skills, and deepens
understanding of content,” the policy states within its mission statement.

The School Committee also amended the policy to include the prohibition of using proxy servers, which allows an individual accessing them to bypass a secure firewall.

An employee at Bay State Pizza reported to police a man ran inside and shouted he had just been stabbed outside.

SPRINGFIELD - Police are investigating a stabbing on Bay Street near Brown Street that was reported just before 10 p.m. police said.

Sgt. Christopher Hitas said police were called to the area by an employee at Bay State Pizza, 340 Bay St., who reported a man ran into the shop and said he had just been stabbed outside.

The man, whose name was not disclosed, was taken by ambulance to Bay State Medical Center. Hitas said the man's injuries are not life threatening.

Detectives are on the scene and trying to piece things together, he said.

The man who was stabbed is so far not cooperating with police about who stabbed him, Hitas said.

Bay and Brown streets are in the city's McKnight neighborhood.

The Hispanic Family Festival held in Holyoke is in its 28th year.

HOLYOKE —The Hispanic Family Festival continues its festivities at Springdale Park, 844 Main St., today with performances by local folkloric group El Coquí, mariachi music, salsa and more.

"We have Ray Gonzalez y su Conjito Antillano, who always put on a great show, " said organizer Diosdado Lopez.

The festival, is family friendly and includes activities for children as well as Latin food and drinks for sale.

Schedule of events:

6-6:20 p.m.: Grupo Folklorico El Coqui

6:30-7:30 p.m.: Veronica Robles y su Mariachi

7:40-8 p.m.: Quest Star

8:15 p.m.-9:15 p.m.: Ray Gonzalez y su Conjunto Antillano

9:30-1045 p.m.: Alex "El Bizcochito"

For a full listing of events visit La Familia Hispana, Inc.

Cosby, who owns hundreds of acres of protected land in Shelburne Falls, has been opposed to the pipeline since the company notified him last winter of plans to survey his land.

Comedian Bill Cosby and his wife Camille are supporting protesters marching across Massachusetts in opposition to Kinder Morgan's proposed natural gas pipeline.

The couple, who own hundreds of acres of protected land in Shelburne Falls have been opposed to the pipeline since the company notified them last winter of plans to survey their land.

Through a spokesman, the couple said it was "astounding" that New England's six governors support the proposal, which they said shows "disrespect for humans, flora and fauna."

Supporters of the $3.75 billion Northeast Pipeline Extension Project say it will provide clean-burning natural gas to the Northeast U.S.

The Massachusetts PipeLine Awareness Network organized the relay march in the state and plan a July 30 Statehouse rally.

Tolman and Healey agreed to ban outside spending in their primary race.

The two Democratic candidates for attorney general – Maura Healey and Warren Tolman – have signed a pledge barring outside money from their race.

The idea of a People's Pledge originated in the 2012 U.S. Senate race between Republican Scott Brown and Democrat Elizabeth Warren. The idea is to ban outside organizations from running advertising by requiring the candidate that benefits from an outside expenditure to donate money to charity. Though the Brown-Warren race was the most expensive Senate race in the country that year, the pledge was generally successful in keeping third party groups off the airwaves. The candidates said they felt the race should be decided by Massachusetts voters.

Since Warren won that race, the pledge has become a staple of Massachusetts campaign rhetoric, although no Republican candidate has since signed such a pledge.

U.S. Reps. Edward Markey and Stephen Lynch, both Democrats, had a similar pledge in their primary fight for the U.S. Senate seat that Markey ultimately won.

Tolman is a former state senator; Healey is a former bureau chief in the attorney general's office. Both candidates had agreed in principle to a People's Pledge in May but there was some disagreement about certain provisions, such as whether the pledge would ban mailings from outside groups.

Healey's campaign said the pledge signed Friday was the version proposed by Healey in May, which includes a ban on direct mail. If an outside expenditure is made, the candidate who benefits agrees to pay 100 percent of the cost of the expenditure to The One Fund, which benefits the Boston Marathon bombing victims.

"This is first and foremost a victory for the people of Massachusetts, who deserve a race defined by our experience and vision for the Attorney General's Office, not by the unlimited spending of anonymous groups," Healey said.

Tolman said he continues to have reservations about the direct mail ban, since he believes direct mail is difficult to quantify, track and report in a timely manner. But, he said, "The importance of getting an agreement in place is too great to allow this disagreement to interfere."

The winner of the Democratic primary will face Republican John Miller.

Sen. Kelly Ayotte will officiate over the wedding of 23-year-old Arianna Brown, former Sen. Scott Brown's daughter, in New Hampshire this weekend.

RYE, N.H. — Amid a busy summer for New Hampshire Senate hopeful Scott Brown and his wife Gail Huff, this Sunday will see the crossing of the former U.S. senator's political life and personal life as his friend Sen. Kelly Ayotte will officiate over the wedding of 23-year-old Arianna Brown.

Ayotte, R-N.H., is also a justice of the peace and according to the New Hampshire Journal, which broke the story this week, Brown's youngest daughter's wedding will mark the first time she's officiated such a ceremony.

“I consider it a great honor to have been invited to perform this ceremony, which will join the lives of two special young people -- Arianna and Jim (Hendry). I'm looking forward to celebrating on Sunday,” Ayotte said in a statement.

Arianna Brown has been dating boyfriend Jim Hendry since he interned in the former U.S. senator's office in Washington. The New Hampshire Journal reports that he is now a paralegal specialist in the Department of Justice while Arianna will soon be studying veterinary medicine at Cornell University.

Former U.S. Senator Scott Brown appears with with his wife Gail Huff and their daughters Ayla and Arianna during a 2012 campaign stop in Springfield, Mass. (Republican File Photo by Mark M. Murray)

Brown and Huff's other daughter, singer/songwriter Ayla, is set to marry on Aug. 30 in Nashville, Tennessee to boyfriend Keith Weiser.

Brown, who won his U.S. Senate seat in Massachusetts' 2010 special election following the death of longtime Sen. Ted Kennedy, lost a re-election bid in 2012 to Democrat Elizabeth Warren. The following year he and Huff sold their Wrentham home and moved to their vacation home in Rye, N.H. where Brown announced a short time later he was challenging Democratic U.S. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen in an attempt to return to Washington.

Arianna's wedding this weekend is supposedly taking place not far from Shaheen's Madbury home in neighboring Lee. A WMUR poll released this week showed Brown trailing Shaheen, a former New Hampshire governor, by 12 points.

Obituaries from The Republican.

Phyllis Hout 

Phyllis A. (Murach) Hout, 79, passed away on Thursday. She was born in Ludlow, and was a resident of Agawam for over 60 years. She was an area business entrepreneur. Included among her successful retail operations are Feeding Hills Florists, with locations in Agawam, Springfield and Sturbridge; and Kids Footwear, located in Agawam and Westfield. She was a parishioner of St. John the Evangelist Church, Agawam.

Leger said there were three employees inside the facility at the time and although no major injuries were reported, first responders did treat at the scene for smoke inhalation.

SPRINGFIELD — City firefighters worked Saturday morning to extinguish a stubborn blaze inside Northstar Pulp & Paper's recycling facility in East Springfield.

According to Dennis Leger, aide to Commissioner Joseph Conant, the fire was reported at 8:41 a.m. Saturday and upon arrival, firefighters found the fire emanating from a piece of machinery. He said the flames weren't going down with water alone so a fire retardant foam was used.

Leger said there were three employees inside the facility at the time and although no major injuries were reported, first responders did treat at the scene for smoke inhalation.

The damage was confined to the piece of machinery inside the company's facility at 89 Guion St. Northstar's website says the Springfield-based company is the only one in New England which has the ability to process every grade of paper, plastic, and metal for recycling.