Superintendent Marlene DiLeo said she has received 33 applications for the director of special education position.

WARE – A new group of administrative leaders, that includes three recently hired principals and a vice principal, outlined some of their initiatives at Wednesday’s School Committee meeting.

Ware Junior Senior High School Principal Darren C. Elwell, who was recently promoted and formerly served as the vice principal, expressed his vision to improve the institution. He shared the podium with the new assistant principal, Erik Liljegren, who was a science teacher in Gardner.

“One of the themes that will be common in my principal-ship is: average is over,” Elwell told the committee. “A disciplined environment” is essential. "There needs to be discipline; there needs to be order; there needs to be structure.”

He said vice principal Liljegren would be directing an attendance task force.

“Attendance is a serious issue at the high school,” Elwell said. The new principal promised to engage the student leaders, saying he plans to attend “monthly luncheons” with them, and will organize a talent show featuring class officers.

Ware Middle School Principal John Jordan addresses the school committee on Wednesday. JIM RUSSELL PHOTO 

John Jordan, who was promoted to Ware Middle School principal following Robert Sullivan’s retirement last month, thanked the continuing work of the Parent Teacher Organization. Jordan had been the school’s vice principal.

He also said common planning time for teachers has been resurrected.

Stanley M. Koziol Elementary School's new principal, Mark Aucoin, thanked the school board for its commitment to public education, and lauded the acumen of the teachers. He was a principal most recently in the Wachusett Regional School District that includes the towns of Holden, Paxton, Princeton, Rutland and Sterling.

“There is great strength at SMK, looking at the teachers,” Aucoin said. “There is a wonderful foundation. There are wonderful days ahead for SMK.”

Stanley M. Koziol Elementary School's new principal is Mark AucoinJIM RUSSELL PHOTO 

In other business, the new superintendent, Marlene DiLeo, told the committee that 33 individuals had applied for the director of special education. Although the board is responsible for filling that position, they granted DiLeo discretion to bring one finalist or more than that to the committee in August, when the appointment is expected. DiLeo, who resigned as high school principal in June to accept the new appointment, succeeds Mary-Elizabeth Beach, who retired.

In another matter, the administration said 159 pupils that reside in Ware have opted to attend school outside of town, in accordance with the state’s “School Choice” program.

That results in the town paying about $5,000 to the other district for each student, resulting in approximately $800,000 per year of school choice costs.

Data provided by the district last year showed more than 10 percent of Ware children attending public schools outside Ware; that cost $2.75 million in total payments for the three years previous.

In addition to concerns by the committee and administration about the high number of Ware school choice students, members of the board of selectmen have expressed alarm.

In an interview following the July 30 school board meeting, selectman John Desmond likened Ware's school choice deficit to “reverse Robin Hood.” The selectman said wealthier school districts absorb students from those less affluent.

The Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield announced July 31 that the order has entered into a purchase and sale agreement for its 52-acre Mont Marie property with Tryko Partners, LLC.

The Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield announced July 31 that the order has entered into a purchase and sale agreement for its 52-acre Mont Marie property with New Jersey-based Tryko Partners, LLC. The announcement comes on the same day the congregation is moving some two dozen retired Sisters from what has been the order's motherhouse since 1962.

According to a release, the sale to the firm, which also owns skilled nursing facilities in Danvers, Needham and Rockland, is expected to close this fall "following a due diligence period now underway," and includes the 84-bed Mont Marie Health Care Center.

Tryko Partners, according to the announcement, also plans to assume management of the two rental housing facilities within the complex – the Mont Marie Senior Residence and St. Joseph Residence, which together house 80, age-restricted HUD supported units.

“Finding a buyer who wishes to respect our tradition and history at Mont Marie is a source of great gratitude for us. Over 70 of our Sisters will continue to live on the Mont Marie property after the sale, so we are at the beginning of what we expect to be a long and fruitful relationship with Tryko Partners,” said Sister Maxyne D. Schneider, congregation president, in the announcement. She said the Sisters will remain as residents of either the health center or the HUD units.

According to the announcement, a lease agreement will also allow the congregation of women religious the use of certain areas of the property, including its chapel and cemetery. The proposed sale of the property comes after a two-year search for new ownership by the 235-member congregation, which had estimated that it would be without the financial means to support its aging members and property within the next few years.

It has plans to launch the public portion of a planned financial campaign in the next few months, and the July 31 move of its Sisters to housing owned by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Boston nearly completes the vacating of three floors of residential and administrative office space at the motherhouse. Other Sisters moved earlier in the month to housing facilities of the Daughters of the Heart of Mary in Holyoke.

The announcement indicated that the order's congregational offices will relocate by fall to the former Our Lady of Hope rectory in Springfield.

On its website, Tryko Partners says it "purchases multifamily properties, healthcare facilities and tax liens throughout the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic states, and in the greater Chicago market in the Midwest."

“This is a beautiful property that holds an important position in the larger community,” Uri Kahanow, director of acquisitions, said in the release. "We have a deep appreciation of its faith-based population, which will continue to contribute to its strength and character. We recognize the significant opportunity we will have to preserve the property’s tradition while building upon its potential.”

The firm's site also notes that Tryko Partners, through health care subsidiary Marquis Health Services, "owns and operates skilled nursing and short-term rehabilitation facilities throughout the Mid-Atlantic and Midwestern United States. The firm currently is involved in more than 1,500 skilled nursing beds."

According to the release, several Tryko Partners nursing facilities received five-star ratings in U.S. News and World Report’s 2014 “Best Nursing Homes” feature. This distinction recognizes excellence in three categories: state-conducted health inspections, nursing and physical therapy staffing, and quality medical care.

The Amherst Planning Board scheduled the second hearing for the Retreat Aug. 6.

AMHERST – More than 100 people packed the Town Room and spilled into the hall to hear the presentation on the proposed Retreat housing plan Wednesday night, the first of at least two if not three public hearings on the 175-unit project in the Cushman section of North Amherst. 

  People started arriving 35 minutes before the start of hearing on the definitive subdivision plan, many wearing buttons that read "Save Historic Cushman."  That group opposes the project.

Landmark Properties, of Athens, Ga., has a $6.5 million option to buy the land currently owned by Cowls Inc. Landmark is proposing to build single- and two-family dwellings that would provide 641 beds targeted for students on the 146-acre parcel off of Market Hill and Flat Hill roads and Henry Street.

In December, the Planning Board issued a series of 20 modifications to the preliminary subdivision plan for developers to address in the definitive plan.

Tony Wonseski from the Greenfield-based SVE Associates reviewed the plans for about 15 minutes.

At the start of the hearing, David Webber, Planning Board chairman, said the board has until Aug. 26 - 90 days from the date the plans were filed - to rule on the definitive subdivision.

He said the hearing will be continued until Aug. 6 and could be continued for another night. At the meeting Aug. 6 a consultant for Save Historic Cushman will present its findings at the meeting. 

Lawyer Thomas Reidy who represents the project said they will be submitting its site plan for review likely in September.

The Planning Department, meanwhile, finished a 23-page preliminary report in which it reviewed the scope of project just prior to the start of the hearing. The report guided the discussion.

One of the issues sited is the proposed use of the property.

Single- and two-family dwellings are allowed under the zoning. But the report notes that abutters and others have contended that the proposed development is most similar to "fraternity or sorority building, social dormitory or similar use related to Amherst College, Hampshire College or the University of Massachusetts."

That use is not allowed in the residential–neighborhood and residential outlying districts. According the report, the board "my wish to spend some time identifying the issues and questions related to resolving this question," according to the report.

Member Kathleen Ford said that was a concern raised by many.  "I think this is a wonderful cluster plan it could potentially work in this site but it's just not that. It merits us discussing the fact that it is all students." She suggested the board get legal clarification sooner rather than later. 

Webber reported that there is a lawsuit in Land Court looking at this issue.

"This is a very complex question," Planning Director Jonathan Tucker said. "It would be helpful for you to frame what you need to know (from town counsel.)" 

Webber said the question is whether this use is allowed in this zone. 

Stephen J. Savaria, the senior project manager of Fuss & O'Neill, the third party consultant hired to review the plans, said there are some issues that have to be addressed including frontage that doesn't comply with zoning and questions about the open and common space designation.

When it comes to traffic in general he said "we consider it to be complete and accurate for what it presents and meets the scope requirements."

But he said, "We have a concern about trip generation methodology," he said. The study was based on Pufton Village but that apartment project is closer to UMass and has transit available.

There is also concern that there is not signal at the East Pleasant and Pine Street intersection.

Webber raised concerns about the waivers requested to increase the road grade to as much as 10 percent in some places.

But developer feels it is safe, Wonseski said.

The announcement came hours after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to destroy Hamas' tunnel network "with or without a cease-fire" and as the Palestinian death toll soared past 1,400.

By IAN DEITCH
and IBRAHIM BARZAK

JERUSALEM — Israel and Hamas have agreed to a 72-hour humanitarian cease-fire beginning Friday, during which time there will be negotiations on a more durable truce in the 24-day-old Gaza war, the United States and United Nations announced Thursday.

The announcement came hours after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to destroy Hamas' tunnel network "with or without a cease-fire" and as the Palestinian death toll soared past 1,400. There was no immediate Israeli comment on the announcement.

In a statement released in New Delhi where Secretary of State John Kerry is traveling, the U.S. and U.N. said they had gotten assurances that all parties to the conflict had agreed to an unconditional cease-fire.

"This humanitarian cease-fire will commence at 8 a.m. local time on Friday, Aug. 1, 2014. It will last for a period of 72 hours unless extended. During this time the forces on the ground will remain in place," the statement said.

"We urge all parties to act with restraint until this humanitarian cease-fire begins, and to fully abide by their commitments during the cease-fire."

The statement said the cease-fire was critical to give civilians a much-needed reprieve from violence. During this period, civilians in Gaza will receive humanitarian relief and have time to bury the dead, take care of the injured and restock food supplies. The time also will be used to repair water and energy infrastructure.

Earlier, the Israeli military said it was calling up an additional 16,000 reserve soldiers to pursue its campaign against the Islamic militants.

At least 1,441 Palestinians have been killed, three-quarters of them civilians, since hostilities began on July 8, according to Gaza health officials — surpassing the at least 1,410 Palestinians killed in 2009, according to Palestinian rights groups.

Israel says 56 soldiers, two Israeli civilians and a Thai agricultural worker have died — also far more than the 13 Israeli deaths in the previous campaign.

In Geneva, the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay accused both Israel and Hamas militants of violating the rules of war.

She said Hamas is violating international humanitarian law by "locating rockets within schools and hospitals, or even launching these rockets from densely populated areas." But she added that this did not absolve Israel from disregarding the same law.

The Israeli government, she said, has defied international law by attacking civilian areas of Gaza such as schools, hospitals, homes and U.N. facilities. "None of this appears to me to be accidental," Pillay said. "They appear to be defying — deliberate defiance of — obligations that international law imposes on Israel."

Pillay also took aim at the U.S., Israel's main ally, for providing financial support for Israel's "Iron Dome" anti-rocket defense system. "No such protection has been provided to Gazans against the shelling," she said.

The Iron Dome system has been credited with saving countless lives as Hamas militants fired nearly 3,000 rockets at Israel.

At the United Nations, Israel's Ambassador Ron Prosor responded to criticism of his country, saying: "I think the international community should be very vocal in standing with Israel fighting terrorism today because if not, you will see it on your doorstep tomorrow."

Israel expanded what started as an aerial campaign against Hamas and widened it into a ground offensive on July 17. Since then, Israel says the campaign has concentrated on destroying cross-border tunnels militants constructed to carry out attacks inside Israeli territory and ending rocket attacks on its cities.

Israel says most of the 32 tunnels it uncovered have now been demolished and that getting rid of the remainder will take no more than a few days.

"We have neutralized dozens of terror tunnels and we are committed to complete this mission, with or without a cease-fire," Netanyahu said Thursday in televised remarks. "Therefore, I will not agree to any offer that does not allow the military to complete this important mission for the security of the people of Israel."

For Israel, the tunnel network is a strategic threat. It says the tunnels are meant to facilitate mass attacks on civilians and soldiers inside Israel, as well as kidnappings, a tactic that Hamas has used in the past. Palestinian militants trying to sneak into Israel through the tunnels have been found with sedatives and handcuffs, an indication they were planning abductions, the military says.

Several soldiers have been killed in the current round of fighting by Palestinian gunmen who popped out of underground tunnels near Israeli communities along the Gaza border.

Israeli defense officials said the purpose of the latest call-up of 16,000 reserves was to provide relief for troops currently on the Gaza firing line, and amounted to a rotation that left the overall number of mobilized reservists at around 70,000. They spoke on condition of anonymity in line with regulations.

However, Israeli officials have also said they do not rule out broadening operations in the coming days.

Palestinians have fired more than 2,850 rockets at Israel — some reaching major cities but most intercepted by the Iron Dome defense system. On Thursday alone, more than 100 rockets were fired toward Israeli cities, the army said.

One Israeli was seriously wounded when a rocket exploded in a residential area of Kiryat Gat in southern Israel, the military said. The rocket damaged a house and destroyed several cars parked on the street. Another rocket was intercepted over Tel Aviv by Israel's rocket defense system, the army said.

Israeli attacks continued Thursday, killing at least 56 Palestinians, according to Gaza health officials.

Gazans said munitions struck the Omar Ibn al-Khatab mosque next to a U.N. school in the northern town of Beit Lahiya. The office of the military spokesman said Palestinian snipers inside the mosque had shot at troops, wounding one Israeli soldier and prompting retaliatory fire.

The strike in Beit Lahiya damaged water tanks on the roof of a building near the mosque, sending shrapnel flying into the adjacent school compound, where dozens of Palestinians displaced by the fighting had taken shelter.

"The shrapnel from the strike on the mosque hit people who were in the street and at the entrance of the school," said Sami Salebi, an area resident.

Gaza health official Ashraf al-Kidra said at least 15 people were wounded in the strike, including three who were in critical condition.

Among them was Kifah Rafati, who was being treated for shrapnel injuries at the nearby Kamal Adwan Hospital. She said she and her six children had been sleeping in a classroom inside the U.N. school when the explosion went off.

"There is no safety anywhere," the 40-year-old Rafati said.

Hamas has said it will only halt fire once it receives guarantees that a Gaza border blockade by Israel and Egypt — tightened after the Islamic militant group violently seized power in Gaza in 2007 — will be lifted.

Israel says it wants to decimate Hamas' rocket-launching capability, diminish its weapons arsenal and demolish the tunnels. It has launched more than 4,000 strikes against Hamas-linked targets, including rocket launchers and mosques where it says weapons were being stored.

More than a quarter of a million Palestinians in Gaza— over 236,000_are seeking shelter in 86 UNRWA installations, according to UNRWA spokesman Chris Gunness.

Israel says it is trying hard to avoid civilian casualties and blames Hamas for using civilians as "human shields." Israel has issued warnings before attacks through phone calls and text messages to residents among other methods.

Tarr calls on the legislature to "pace ourselves better" to avoid raft of last-minute voting.

BOSTON - With numerous pieces of legislation emerging from committees of conference in the final two days of the legislative session, state Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr, a Gloucester Republican, is calling for reform to the system.

Tarr said the legislature will likely be able to accomplish a lot by the time the legislative session ends at midnight on Thursday – passing bond bills, an economic development bill, new gun regulations and bills aimed at preventing domestic violence and combatting substance abuse. "What's concerning is the way that we accomplish some of these things and whether or not we can pace ourselves better than we have and give folks an opportunity to understand really what we're doing on Beacon Hill," Tarr said.

The legislative session lasts for 18 months, but work on major bills tends to be clustered in the final weeks, and sometimes the final days.

With the session ending Thursday, a major and controversial piece of legislation involving the state's gun laws emerged from negotiations between House and Senate conferees on Wednesday evening after 8 p.m. A bill setting the date of the state sales tax holiday and spending more than $80 million on economic development projects also emerged from committee late Wednesday. Other late-breaking bills included an environmental bond bill, a bill on local housing authorities and a bill on preventing domestic violence. On Thursday, lawmakers held a press conference to unveil a complex bill addressing substance abuse recovery only hours before the state Senate passed the bill by a unanimous vote.

"These are bills that are complex in nature," Tarr said. For example, he noted that the gun bill deals with a constitutional right, as well as with education and mental health. "Those are things that in my opinion shouldn't be considered in the last 24 hours of the session with the members having even less time than that to read what's happening with them," Tarr said.

The end of session rush is a perennial event. But, Tarr said, "I'm hoping as the new session approaches we're going to have a serious conversation about that and how we can avoid having this logjam at the end of the session that I don't think serves the members well, and I don't think serves the public well."

The issue is not entirely partisan. State Sen. Jamie Eldridge, an Acton Democrat who has been active in government transparency issues, said he would like to see the Senate hold formal sessions more frequently so all the work is not pushed to the end.

At the same time, Eldridge said with all the competing interests involved in bills like the substance abuse or gun bills, getting to a final version of a bill takes time. He said members are familiar with earlier versions of the various bills, even if the final bill only comes out of committee at the last minute. "Most members are familiar with the language from the initial bill," Eldridge said.

But, Eldridge acknowledged, there is "a lot of furious work" to read all the bills at the end.

The event is free but registration is required.

CHICOPEE — The Greater Chicopee Chamber of Commerce will hosting a Morning with the Mayor to give business owners a chance to learn more about the city.

Mayor Richard Kos will talk about the proposal to place illegal immigrant children at Westover Air Reserve Base, the on-going sewer improvement project, and other issues from 8 to 9 a.m., Aug. 21 at the American Red Cross Blood Donation Center, 3500 Main St., Springfield.

The event is free but registration is required. To register go to chicopeechamber.org and scroll to upcoming events or call the chamber at 594-2101. Participants can also submit topics they would like the mayor to discuss to Chamber President Eileen Drumm at eileendrumm@chicopeechamber.org.

Departure helps sets the stage for sale of property to New-Jersey based Tryko Partners to proceed.

"We had Mass at 9, were back in the chapel at 10 for a blessing ceremony, then out to the foyer where we sang our usual hymn to St. Joseph and, within 10 minutes, the cars were ready to go. There was honking of horns, waves and plenty of tears," said Sister Maxyne D. Schneider, president of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield. "All of us had extended our hands asking God's blessing on those about to leave."

Schneider was describing the scene at the congregation's Mont Marie Motherhouse, in Holyoke, on the morning of July 31, when the last 14 Sisters vacated the complex's two floors for retired members, in preparation for the property's proposed sale this fall. All but three of the retirees was being driven by "a buddy" to the Fontbonne Convent, in Milton, owned by another order, the Congregation of Sisters of St. Joseph of Boston, that will now be their home.

"The sale of the Mont Marie property, our most precious non-cash, non-human resource, is the expression of what we are willing to do ourselves before turning to the public," said Schneider, of the fact the 52-acre property has been owned by the congregation of women religious since 1897. Its original buildings, now gone, were used as a chapel, infirmary and summer housing by the community. The new complex, known as Mont Marie, was built when the community's motherhouse, on Elliott Street in Springfield, was razed during the 1960s.

Mont Marie has become too expensive for the 235-member order to sustain, and a purchase and sale agreement has been signed with New Jersey-based Tryko Partners LLC. The order also plans to mount a public capital campaign appeal by the end of the year, or the beginning of 2015. The Sisters had projected that the order will be without cash assets, possibly within three years, without taking such steps to reduce costs, and generate more revenue. The average age of its members is 76, with few now holding full-time jobs outside the congregation. For most of its more than 130-year history in the diocese, the Sisters worked in parish schools, where they were only given monthly stipends of no more than $50. The intent to relocate the Sisters living in the Mont's retirement facility had been announced in June, as part of the effort to seek new uses for the facility and generate cash flow.

The agreement with Tryko Partners includes the 84-bed Mont Marie Health Center, and the firm also intends to take over management of the property’s Mont Marie Senior Residence and St. Joseph Residence, which together house 80 age-restricted HUD rental units.

Schneider said confidentiality restrictions prevented her from sharing details of the purchase and sale agreement, before it was signed, with congregation members, who voted in March for both the sale of the property and the relocation of some 30 retired Sisters. She said members were told at a July 30th meeting at Mont Marie, while employees of both the health center and congregation were told at a separate meeting. A third meeting was held for family with members being cared for in the health center. Tryko Partners representatives were present for all three meetings on July 30.

Schneider said the property's sale will make a "huge difference" in the order's ability to financially support itself, in large part because of the expense involved in the maintenance of the three-floors in Mont Marie's sprawling building complex that housed the retired Sisters, as well as office space for the community.

"It will make a huge difference and we will have more precise numbers as we near completion of sale in the fall," Schneider said. "But a huge component of what is important is not a one-time sale price, but the ongoing reduction of expenses. The ongoing expense of operating the retirement facility was a great financial problem."

Schneider said the agreement allows the congregation to lease "full use of our chapel" for $1 a year, as well as the cemetery. She added that the chapel, which the congregation is calling St. Joseph, will likely become "home" for the congregation, since its capacity to "comfortably seat 200" will allow for community meetings, celebrations and funerals.

"We are still going to have 70 Sisters living on the property," Schneider said. "Some 31 Sisters living in the nursing home, and we have about 40 sisters living in the HUD-subsidized senior housing facilities."

While 30 Sisters were located from the Mont, with 22 of these outside the Roman Catholic Diocese of Springfield, the majority of the order's Sisters will continue to live within a 15-mile radius of the Mont.

Schneider said the consulting firm, with which the congregation has worked, "issued requests for proposals" for the Mont Marie property, and that the proposal from Tryko Partners came from the firm's interest in the Mont Marie Health Care Center. Schneider said she and other members of the congregation visited similar facilities owned by Tryko Partners over the last year, and noted the company also manages some 6,000 apartments, half of which she said are for the elderly and include HUD subsidized units. She said Tryko Partners has not decided what it will do with the floors vacated by the Sisters.

"They are people we have liked interacting with for several months. They are a for-profit company and while not faith-based, they are founded and operated by two Jewish families, people of deep faith," Schneider said. "The negotiations have taken a long time. Our property is complicated, but we never encountered obstacles through the process. Each party looked out for its own good, while looking at the needs and values of the other party. We feel the agreement we have reached is an excellent one."

Schneider, who estimated that about 140 people work at the health center, and another 23 for the congregation, added that "one of the things she liked" about Tryko Partners is its "90 percent record for employee retention in an acquisition."

"We have met with some employees, especially on the congregation side of things, as some functions we will no longer need, for example in the retirement building. Tryko has centralized some of its support functions, so there will be a few losses, and we are sad about those, but we have been in touch with the company to make recommendations of key employees they may wish to hire at the more central level."

Many school booster clubs benefit from the event.

LUDLOW – This year’s 15th annual Celebrate Ludlow celebration was deemed a huge success by two School Committee members who attended.

School Committee member Charles Mullin said the Ludlow High School Band Booster Club was one of the organizations which staffed booths and benefited from the event which was held July 26 at the Ludlow Fish & Game Club.

Many local non-profit organizations benefit from the event by serving food and staffing games and activities.

Some of the organizations which benefited were the Ludlow High School Education Association, the Exit 7 Players, Ludlow Youth Hockey, Ludlow Youth Football, St. John the Baptist School, the Ludlow CARES Coalition, the Michael J. Dias Foundation, St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, the Ludlow Community Center and many other non-profit groups.

“Many school programs benefit, and the weather was perfect,” School Committee member James P. “Chip” Harrington said.

Trails on the scenic parcel would be accessible to people in wheelchairs.

EASTHAMPTON — Efforts to create fully-accessible trails at the Brickyard Brook Conservation Area are at a standstill until a permitting problem involving stream crossings can be resolved.

The nine-acre site, nestled between East and Clark streets — a short walk from the city's bustling Cottage Street Cultural District — is owned and maintained by the Pascommuck Conservation Trust. Their vision is to create trails on the scenic parcel that could be used by all, including people in wheelchairs.

The area is accessed by two trailheads, one at East Green Street and the other at East Street, connected by an old farm path. At the beginning of both trailheads are makeshift earth bridges that pass over streams. The streams are diverted under the pathway by old concrete pipes.

Trust members told the Conservation Commission at a public hearing Monday that the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection wants them to fully rebuild the stream crossings and install specialized culverts "with soft bottoms," a requirement that could add significantly to the cost of the project.

Landscape architect Bill Canon said he and Mark Reed, a civil engineer with Heritage Surveys, believe there are alternative, less costly ways to make the stream crossings stable, well-functioning, and environmentally sound.

"We're looking at our budget to double or triple, and we don't think it's necessary," said Canon, a member of the trust. Canon said he and Reed want to meet with the DEP to "offer clarification" as to how the existing structures could be repaired instead of replaced.

The two have already worked together to create a master plan for the site, said Canon, and have produced detailed drawings showing a broad, accessible trail looping through the upper field section of the conservation area.

Acting commission chairman Christopher Cockshaw advised Canon and trust president John Bator to work things out with the DEP and come back with a plan.

"It's not our job to tell you what to do," said Cockshaw. "It's our job to evaluate proposals."

The public hearing on the so-called "notice of intent" for the Brickyard Brook project remains open. "We can keep the hearing open as long as we need to," said Cockshaw.

Usually the DEP does not get involved in local wetlands permitting issues, Cockshaw said after Monday's meeting. He said the DEP, as a routine matter, would receive a copy of any notice of intent filed with the commission, and probably became apprised of the project at that point.

Reached by telephone, Canon said part of the problem may have been "miscommunication" from Pascommuck to the DEP. A volunteer member of the trust had offered to handle the permitting process, a matter that in retrospect should have been handled by professionals, he said.

Canon said he and Reed would likely take over that task moving forward.

DEP spokeswoman Catherine Skiba, reached Thursday, said it's not entirely accurate that the DEP is forcing an expensive solution upon the land trust.

Skiba said a DEP staffer, in reviewing the notice of intent, wrote in the comment section that a "401 Water Quality Certificate" might be necessary.

But, said Skiba, the staffer also wrote that Passcommuck could consider "various alternative designs," or perhaps qualify for an agricultural exemption to avoid having to go through the state-level permitting process.

"We are open to providing technical assistance," said Skiba.

The Brickyard Brook Conservation Area features an overgrown open field, towering red oaks and white pines, meandering streams, and a well-established trail system. The streams converge to form Brickyard Brook, which eventually flows into the Lower Mill Pond near Pleasant and Ferry streets. The area is contiguous with Mountain View Farm, a protected spread of farmland.

The Pascommuck Conservation Trust, established in 1982, owns eight conservation areas in and around Easthampton, all of which are open to the public.

The Massachusetts House of Representatives approved a revised version of the gun violence reduction bill less than four hours before the end of the current legislative session.

BOSTON — Both branches of the Massachusetts legislature approved a revised version of the gun violence reduction bill less than four hours before the end of the current legislative session.

The bill was approved by a 122-29 vote. Eight Democrats voted against the bill while eight Republicans voted for it. It passed the Senate after minimal discussion with a vote of 37-3. The three 'no' votes belonged to Republican Senators Bob Hedlund of Weymouth and Don Humason of Westfield and Democratic Senator Richard Moore of Uxbridge.

The revised bill that emerged from committee included compromise language on gun licensing for shotguns and rifles. The Senate version of the bill stripped language from the House version that would have given local police chiefs discretion when issuing license to carry a shotgun or rifle. Lawmakers compromised with language in the current bill that requires police chiefs to prove to a district judge that a person requesting an LTC is unfit to own a gun.

"Because of the Senate's concerns over the 2nd amendment we came up with what we thought was a good compromise putting the burden of proof on the police chief to deny a fundamental right. The fact that we could come to an agreement is significant. We both moved a long way, I think," said House Majority Leader Ronald Mariano, a Quincy Democrat and the lead House conferee on the gun bill.

Groups on both sides of the gun debate came out in support of the legislation on Thursday after it was revealed late on Wednesday.

The new bill plugs the state into the national background database to share mental health information, addresses gun trafficking with a new State Police task force, and it creates a new system to assist with background checks during private gun sales.

"We do tie into the federal mental health system which I think was critical, one of the pillars of this bill, making sure that we try to keep guns out of the hands of those who are mentally ill," said State Representative Garrett Bradley, a Hingham Democrat.

Bradley noted that one of the newer crimes created by the bill is "attempting to disarm a police officer."

"That's a situation right now where if you wrestle with a police officer and try to take his or her weapon that is only punishable by resisting arresting and I suspect assault and battery on a police officer," said Bradley.

This bill allows Massachusetts to remain a "shall issue" state for an LTC for rifles and shotguns while also remaining a "may issue" state for handguns and the concealed carrying of weapons.

State Representative George N. Peterson, Jr., a Grafton Republican, addressed accusations from conservatives that he and others were betraying the Second Amendment by approving this bill.

"It is as dear to me today as it was when I was elected and took my oath of office in January 1995. Now, we might disagree on that but I can tell you that it is as dear to me today as it was then and it will be until the day I die," said Peterson.

The bill now must be enacted by both chambers before it goes to Governor Deval Patrick's desk for his signature.

Gun Violence Reduction H4285 Roll Call

This story contains material from the State House News Service

The workshop will feature information on the mill area’s potential from a project by researchers from the University of Massachusetts Amherst Center for Economic Development.

WEST SPRINGFIELD - The city is sponsoring an open workshop on Aug.14, which is geared towards receiving citizen input in regards to the future of a historic mill along Front Street that the city hopes to revitalize.

The workshop will feature information on the mill area’s potential from a project by researchers from the University of Massachusetts Amherst Center for Economic Development who have been studying the site area since June 1.

“They are architectural and historic gems that are in solid shape and are capable of serving many different uses,” said John R. Mullin, a UMass-Amherst professor in charge of the project, in a press release from the city. “We are excited about the options.”

The former Southworth Paper Co. mill is located at Front Street and dates back to 1839, with an expansion that took place in the 1880’s, the outside of the building shows.

Mayor Edward C. Sullivan said there are three separate companies at Front Street, which includes Tara Plant Construction Inc., a turbine operating company, and FiberMark, Inc.

“These mills are part of our industrial legacy and should be revitalized,” said Mayor Edward C. Sullivan in a prepared statement. “We intend to help restore them and bring additional jobs and revenues to the city.”

The older portion of the mill at 150 Front St.is owned by Frank McIntyre of Tara Plant Construction, Inc., said Sullivan.

McIntyre has given his permission for studies in this area in regards to revitalization ideas, he said. The study area spans roughly 75,000 to 100,000 square feet on multiple levels.

After the workshop, the Planning Board and the Center for Economic Develoopment will review residents’ thoughts, opinions, and insights, he said.

A report will be sent to the mayor’s office sometime in early fall, according to the statement.

Possibilities for revitalization to the area include the development of small industries, condominiums, offices, and laboratories for retail use, the press release states.

The workshop will be held on Mon., Aug. 14, from 6 to 8 p.m. on the second floor Justin Morgan Auditorium at 26 Central Street.

Committee members also voted unanimously to reelect Ernie Welker and Glenn Rosenberg to new terms as chair and vice-chair, respectively, and elect Jeffrey Klotz to a term as clerk.

 

LONGMEADOW — The newest member of the town's audit committee, Kara Stevens, attended her first meeting as a member of the committee at the Longmeadow Fire Station this evening.

Stevens currently works and teaches at Bay Path University, where she serves as the director of the accounting program. She interviewed for the opening on the Audit Committee with the Select Board back on June 16.

"I'm very pleased to be able to serve on this committee," said Stevens. "I really look forward to learning more, and trying to help in any way I can."

Committee members also voted unanimously to reelect Ernie Welker and Glenn Rosenberg to new terms as chair and vice-chair, respectively, and elect Jeffrey Klotz to a term as clerk.

The next meeting of the Audit Committee will be scheduled in the weeks to come, and is expected to include Thomas Scanlon Jr., the head of Scanlon and Associates, the law firm tasked with handling the audit of the town's finances for the last fiscal year.

The meeting was scheduled after Jenny Serafino, the East Longmeadow High School soccer coach, came before the board in June to discuss how the sign-up process for a camp she's running has been handled.

 

EAST LONGMEADOW — The East Longmeadow Board of Selectmen plan to meet Friday at 12:30 p.m. in the Selectmen's Meeting Room at Town Hall to consider a complaint involving the East Longmeadow Recreation Department.

This meeting was set up after Jenny Serafino, East Longmeadow High School soccer coach, who has run soccer camps in town in the past, came before the board on June 24 to discuss issues stemming from how the sign-up process for the camp is being handled this summer.

Colin Drury, the East Longmeadow Recreation Director, and Tim Larocca, the former recreation assistant, will attend the meeting to discuss the matter.

The posted agenda has been embedded below.

East Longmeadow Board of Selectmen Agenda

Several assessors will be attending the annual school held by the Massachusetts Association of Assessing Officers over the four day span.

LONGMEADOW — The assessors office will be closed Aug, 4-7, as several assessors will be attending the annual school held by the Massachusetts Association of Assessing Officers.

This will be the 59th edition of the school, which features a series of classes designed to educate assessors on a number of approaches to ascertaining the value of property.

"(The school) keeps us up to date with the different changes in the laws, and for the people that don't come to the board with the appraising and real estate experience, this teaches them the theory behind how to value property, whether it's a cost approach to valuing property, whether it's a sales comparison, whether it's an income approach," said Robert P. Leclair, the board's Principal Assessor. "It gives them the foundation for properly valuing real property in Longmeadow."

A memo written by the M.A.A.O. education committee, which provides details on the classes that will take place and a prospective schedule of events, is available online.

Classes to be attended by Longmeadow assessors include: "MAAO Course 1 – Comparable Sales Approach to Value," "MAAO Course 3 - Income Approach to Value," and the "Speciality Course."

The assessors office will reopen for normal business hours on Fri., Aug. 8.

The series of explosions about midnight struck a district where several petrochemical plans operate pipelines alongside the sewer system in Kaohsiung, a southwestern port with 2.8 million people

By GLADYS TSAI

KAOHSIUNG, Taiwan — At least 24 people were killed and 271 others injured when several underground gas explosions ripped through Taiwan's second-largest city overnight, hurling concrete through the air and blasting long trenches in the streets, authorities said Friday.

The series of explosions about midnight Thursday and early Friday struck a district where several petrochemical plans operate pipelines alongside the sewer system in Kaohsiung, a southwestern port with 2.8 million people.

The fires were believed caused by a leak of propene, a petrochemical material not intended for public use, but the source of the gas was not immediately clear, officials said.

Video from the TVBS broadcaster showed residents searching for victims in shattered storefronts and rescuers pulling injured people from the rubble of a road and placing them on stretchers while passersby helped other victims on a sidewalk. Broadcaster ETTV showed rows of large fires sending smoke into the night sky.

Four firefighters were among the 24 dead and 271 people were injured, the National Fire Agency said. The firefighters had been at the scene investigating reports of a gas leak when the explosions occurred, Taiwan's Central News Agency reported.

At least five blasts shook the city, Taiwan's Premier Jiang Yi-huah said.

Chang Jia-juch, the director of the Central Disaster Emergency Operation Center, said the leaking gas was most likely to be propene, meaning that the resulting fires could not be extinguished by water. He said emergency workers would have to wait until the gas is burnt away.

The source of the leak was unknown. Chang said, however, that propene was not for public use, and that it was a petrochemical material.

Kaohsiung Mayor Chen Chu said several petrochemical companies have pipelines built along the sewage system in Chian-Chen district, which has both factories and residential buildings.

"Our priority is to save people now. We ask citizens living along the pipelines to evacuate," Chen told TVBS television.

Power was cut off in the area, making it difficult for firefighters to search for others who might be buried in rubble.

CNA said the local fire department received reports from residents of gas leakage at about 8:46 p.m. and that explosions started around midnight.

Closed-circuit television showed an explosion rippling through the floor of a motorcycle parking area, hurling concrete and other debris through the air. Mobile phone video captured the sound of an explosion as flames leapt at least 30 feet (9 meters) into the air.

One of the explosions left a large trench running down the center of a road, edged with piles of concrete slabs torn apart by the force of the blast. A damaged motorcycle lay in the crater, and TVBS showed cars flipped over. The force of the initial blast also felled trees lining the street.

AP writers Gillian Wong and Ian Mader contributed to this report.

Paul Heim, 30, of Woodstock, Vt. was charged with possession of heroin and crack, and with dragging a state trooper with his car.

This is an update of a story posted at 10:43 p.m. Wednesday.

DEERFIELD – A Vermont man, arrested on I-91 Wednesday night following a chase that ended when police used Stop Sticks to flatten his tires, was charged with heroin and crack cocaine possession, and with dragging a state police trooper with his car, police said.

Paul Heim, 30, of Woodstock, Vt. is charged with separate counts of possession of a Class A substance, heroin, possession of a Class B substance, crack cocaine, resisting arrest, assault and battery on a police officer and assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, an automobile. He is also charged with unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle and reckless operation of a motor vehicle.

According to state police, Trooper Charles Murphy of the Northampton barracks stopped Heim’s car in the northbound lane just before 7 p.m. for motor vehicle violations.

Murphy attempted to place Heim in custody, but he resisted. Heim broke free during the struggle, got back into his car and drove off. Murphy hung onto the car and was dragged a short distance. He was able to get back to his cruiser and start a pursuit, police said.

View full sizeState police evidence photo showing amounts of heroin, crack cocaine, and two cell phones seized during the arrest of 30-year-old Woodstock, Vt, resident Paul Heim.Massachusetts State Police Photo 

During the chase, Murphy spotted Heim throwing something out of the car, police said. A search of the area revealed a plastic bag containing 182 packets of heroin and a plastic bag of crack cocaine.

Troopers from the Northampton and Shelburne Falls barracks responded to the scene, as did Deerfield police.

Deerfield police Sgt. Michael Krusiewski got onto the highway north of Greenfield, located the car and was able to deploy stop sticks in the area of the 48.8-mile marker. The stop sticks shredded the tires on the car, but it proceeded for more than a mile before coming to a stop at the 50-mile marker near the Northfield exit.

WEST SPRINGFIELD- The Eastern States Exposition/ West Springfield Trust Fund donated a total of $51,828 to 15 different recipients throughout the city Tuesday, one of which is the West Springfield Boys and Girls Club, that received $9,500 for the revitalization of its ball field.

WEST SPRINGFIELD - The Eastern States Exposition West Springfield Trust Fund donated a total of $51,828 to 15 different recipients throughout the city Tuesday, one of which is the West Springfield Boys and Girls Club, that received $9,500 for the revitalization of its ball field.

The joint trust fund between the city and the Eastern States Exposition was established 20 years ago in 1994 and is derived from 1 precent of the exposition's gross revenue.

There is roughly $3 million in the principle trust fund that has been generated over 20-year period. A total of $211,704 was donated to the joint trust fund this year, $51,828 of which accounts for the Big E West Springfield grant recipients.

Donald R. Chase, board of directors for the exposition, said roughly 40 different requests for this year’s grant were submitted, 15 of which were approved.

“What we did is we ranked the request by priority and tried to donate whatever we could to help fund whatever their particular request was,” said Donald R. Chase, chairman for the Eastern States Exposition board of directors.

Recipients of this year’s Big E West Springfield grant ranged from the smallest amount, $750 to the Grateful Citizens for Veterans for a “thank you luncheon,” to one of the largest amounts, $9,027 to St. Thomas the Apostle School for 10 desktop PC’s.

The West Springfield High School received $3,000 for football uniforms, $1,500 its summer conditioning clinic, and $2,500 for girls track and field uniforms.

Laurie A. Cassidy, executive director for the Council on Aging, said the West Springfield Senior Center received $1,500 for improvements to its sound system.

“The Big E grant will allow to improve the acoustics in our great hall, our dining hall, by purchasing a new sound system with better speakers so that it could be placed more strategically throughout the great room,” she said.

The members of the board of trustees include Mayor Edward C. Sullivan, Donald R. Chase, and Mary P. Powers.

“It helps with the enhancement and quality of life in West Springfield… a lot of these programs do,” said Sullivan.

The town administrator’s office is now soliciting bids on the 8,800 square foot structure that sits on a half acre at 27 Bardwell St. in the South Hadley Falls neighborhood. They are due on Aug. 27

SOUTH HADLEY – With a new public library expected to open soon, town officials hope to sell the soon-to-be-decommissioned historic building and land that has served the readers, known as South Hadley Public Library, since 1906.

The town administrator’s office is now soliciting bids on the 8,800 square foot structure that sits on a half acre at 27 Bardwell St. in the South Hadley Falls neighborhood.

They are due by Aug. 27.

Data provided by the assessor’s office shows the property assessed at $419,200.

The library was built from $10,000 donated by the Carnegie family.

The 108 year old town library is for sale.JIM RUSSELL PHOTO 

“While the Town is amenable to any proposed use of the building, preference will be given to proposal that preserve the building’s exterior historical significance and architectural prominence.

Any successful proposals must be appropriate for, and harmonious with, the surrounding neighborhood,” the request for bids states.

Interested parties can contact Town Administrator Michael Sullivan via email at msullivan@southhadleyma.org.

Without elaborating, Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley said her office "anticipates additional action soon" regarding spending by former Westfield State University president Evan Dobelle.

WESTFIELD — A spokesman for Attorney General Martha Coaklely expressed concern Thursday over new revelations about Evan S. Dobelle's spending at Westfield State University, and hinted that she is preparing to act on the matter.

Three hours after Inspector General Glen A. Cunha delivered a long-awaited report on the nearly $500,000 in credit card charges made by Dobelle during his six-year tenure, Coakley's communications director, Brad Puffer, said the office has been briefed on the findings.

The attorney general's office is investigating Dobelle's use of university funds.

“This report raises serious concerns and allegations about the use of Westfield State resources by its former president," said Puffer.

"We have been conducting our own investigation into this matter, and anticipate additional action soon,” Puffer said, without elaborating.

The report said Dobelle used five credit cards to run up more than $450,000 in charges during 110 out-of-state trips and nine international trips between 2008 and 2013. The charges included airfare, hotels, restaurants, limousines and other items that Dobelle falsely claimed were business-related, according to the report, which said Dobelle spent nearly six months of his six-year tenure in San Francisco.

Dobelle resigned on Nov. 10, amid harsh criticism from state Higher Education Commissioner Richard M. Freeland and investigations by inspector general and attorney general's offices.

The ex-president has filed two lawsuits against Freeland and Westfield State trustees claiming he was forced out of office in violation of his contract and constitutional rights.

In defending his expenses, Dobelle said the university benefited from his travel, and any personal items were later reimbursed.

Two rescued from Converse Street fire

SPRINGFIELD— Two people were pulled from a burning residential building at 25 Converse St. in Springfield Sunday morning. One of those was rushed from the scene apparently in critical condition.

First responding police officers on the scene reported seeing one person on the roof of the house and relayed that witnesses said a second person was still in the building on the second floor. The first calls to officials were received at approximately 4 a.m.

Firefighters were able to take the stranded victim from the roof with ladders, while two firefighters carried the obviously unconscious and injured victim from the building to an awaiting ambulance stretcher. Medical personnel immediately began administering CPR as they hurried the victim to a nearby ambulance.

The fire appeared to be localized to the third floor of the three story residential building.

This is a breaking story. Information will be posted as it becomes available