AGAWAM - The school committee has given the green light for two major construction projects within the district. The Agawam School Committee unanimously approved the construction of a new high school track and field facility Tuesday, as well as the building of a new early education center. The high school plan calls for a new track and turf field,...

AGAWAM - The school committee has given the green light for two major construction projects within the district.

The Agawam School Committee unanimously approved the construction of a new high school track and field facility Tuesday, as well as the building of a new early education center.

The high school plan calls for a new track and turf field, bleachers, concession stands, ADA-compliant restrooms, tennis courts, a baseball field, basketball courts and Title IX-related improvements to the locker rooms. The track will be open to the public.

The district hopes to break ground on the project by Oct. 2015, said Lou Conte, former high school athletic director and head of the track exploratory committee. The construction would take about a year to complete.

Last month, city council approved a resolution to take out $6.7 million in bonds to pay for new athletic facilities at the high school. The project has been in the works for about two years.

Meanwhile, plans for the early education center are still in their infancy; Tuesday's vote is the first step in a lengthy exploration and planning process, said Agawam Mayor Richard A. Cohen.

The current early education center on the Perry Lane Park property was intended as a temporary space when the district took it over in the mid-90s, said Superintendent of Schools William P. Sapelli. Administration contends the pre-K program has outgrown the facility, in both enrollment and the kind of space and equipment required to educate students with special needs.

Funding to build the new center has yet to be discussed.

Conte and town lawyer Will Reichelt, also on the track committee, were on hand at Tuesday's meeting to field any questions related to the proposed athletic facility. Committee members mainly had concerns over where games and classes will take place when the track and field turn into a construction zone.

"We're going to try and do it so it doesn't disrupt any sports," Conte said.

As far as physical education classes and practices, Sapelli said, other town fields can be used temporarily, if need be.

"We’re going to be inconvenienced for a while," Sapelli said, "but it’s going to be worth it."

The latest two former fire stations being offered for sale in Springfield follow proposals received for two other closed stations on Sumner Avenue and Page Boulevard.

SPRINGFIELD – City officials are expanding their effort to sell and find new uses for long-vacant fire stations, advertising for redevelopment proposals for two former fire houses in Forest Park and Indian Orchard.

Proposals are being solicited in separate efforts for the former Oak Street fire station in Indian Orchard, and the also-closed Oakland Street station in Forest Park. The proposals are due by 2 p.m. Nov. 12 at the Office of Procurement at City Hall.

“Across the country, old fire stations are offering unique opportunities for urban pioneers,” Mayor Domenic J. Sarno said Tuesday. “We are looking for proposals that are not only conducive to the city, but also conducive to the neighborhoods.”

The sale effort is occurring after the city already received proposals in August for the purchase and redevelopment of two other closed fire stations.

Robert Roberge II, of Springfield, is proposing to buy the vacant Sumner Avenue fire station in East Forest park, for $50,022, to convert it to mixed residential-office use. The City Council is expected to consider authorizing the sale on Oct. 20.

In addition, Campagnari Construction has offered to buy the former Page Boulevard fire station in East Springfield for $20,000, to convert it to office space and two market-rate apartments. The plans will be shared with the neighborhood council before decisions are made, It is not yet slated for a council vote, pending review by the neighborhood council.

Thomas Mathews, project manager for the Office of Planning and Economic Development, said there has been a lot of early interest in the Oak Street and Oakland Street stations.

The effort to sell the fire stations has been enhanced by potential buyers being provided with a study of the closed fire stations in Springfield. The study was completed by Fort Point Consulting Inc., of Chelsea, which outlined successful conversions of closed stations elsewhere in Massachusetts and beyond.

Sarno and Mathews said the fire stations on Oak Street and Oakland Street stations have unique characteristics.

“Oakland and Oak Street are turn-of-the-20th-century fire houses, and have unique features,” Mathews said.

The Oakland Street station was built in 1894, and is at the corner of Oakland and Dickinson streets. The Oak Street station is at Oakland and Berkshire streets.

Potential buyers can take part in site walks on Oct. 15, at 10 a.m.

Separate review committees will be appointed to review the proposals submitted for each fire station, Mathews said.

Proposals for the sites will be evaluated on criteria that includes: the developer’ experience; project feasibility; readiness to proceed; level of investment; owner-occupancy; historic preservation; and financial benefit to the city, according to the guidelines.

Any sale requires approval from the mayor and City Council.

"These criminals have no respect and no fear of the judicial system," Sarno said, faulting judges for not taking a harder line on repeat offenders.

SPRINGFIELD — Officials here have been touting better crime stats for some time now. But with every fresh assault, robbery and shooting comes fresh criticism for city leaders, even though Springfield's overall crime rate continues to trend downward.

That criticism is unfair, Mayor Domenic Sarno said Wednesday, echoing a famous line from the 1976 film "Network."

"I'm mad as hell, and I'm not going to take it anymore," he said, tweaking the film's catchphrase only slightly.

Sarno was reacting to a steady stream of news about criminals who are sometimes back on city streets within days, or even hours, after being arrested by Springfield police. The judges who are releasing the criminals don't seem to get how this impacts the everyday lives of city residents, according to Sarno.

"You can't pat (criminals) on the head and sing 'Kumbaya' to them," Sarno said, criticizing the state judicial system's seeming revolving-door policy on crime.

The mayor's frustration is shared by many people who commonly fault commonwealth judges for releasing criminals back into communities. A defendant's record and flight risk are among factors weighed by judges when setting bail and release conditions, but the onus is on the court to free a person unless there's a compelling reason not to free a person.

Bail can be revoked for up to two months for defendants who incur new criminal charges while they have pending cases before the court, and up to three months for defendants who are deemed "dangerous" after a special determination hearing is held before a judge. Otherwise, most defendants are released on bail, bond, personal recognizance, or some combination of conditions.

However, Sarno says it's time for leaders and lawmakers to demand more of the state's jurists. The mayor says his administration and police Commissioner John Barbieri are doing everything possible to combat crime, but much of that good work is undone when repeat offenders wind up back on the streets, where they invariably offend again.

"What does it take to get somebody held?" Sarno said, expressing his willingness to discuss the issue with judges and legislators to see what, if anything, can be done to curb the problem. "The Legislature has to look long and hard at this issue," he said.

Former Holyoke Police Chief Anthony Scott was famous for his criticism of "soft-on-crime judges," but in recent weeks Sarno has more than filled the void left by Scott's departure, taking aim at a court system that he believes isn't being held accountable.

Sarno says he's the person who is held accountable for crimes committed in Springfield, regardless of the myriad external factors contributing to the problem. He's the person who is approached by people who are angry about the gunfire, the lawlessness. He's the person who attends the wakes, the funerals, the community meetings, the anti-crime powwows.

"I have to interact with these people who have been victimized," Sarno said, adding that it's time for judges to step up.

"A hard line has to be taken on these repeat offenders – the gangbangers, gun offenders and drug dealers – that continue to victimize Springfield residents and businesses," said Sarno, who's still scratching his head over the release of David Faust, a federal drug defendant who was recently arrested on new charges in Springfield.

Faust was freed by a judge in June after the 26-year-old Springfield man's family posted bond for his release. Last week, Faust, who was wearing an electronic monitoring bracelet in connection with the federal case, was arrested on fresh drug charges by undercover officers in the city's North End.

As far as the mayor is concerned, the drug defendant should not have been out in the first place. "Faust has an eight-page record," Sarno said.

The mayor is also outraged over the case of 21-year-old Axel Gomez, a Springfield man arrested by State Police after troopers allegedly found a gun in his car during a Route 20 traffic stop in Westfield.

Gomez does not have a license to carry, but he does have a 2011 firearm conviction. Even so, a District Court judge released him on $5,000 personal surety following his arraignment earlier this week.

"We have case, after case, after case like this," Sarno said, adding that no amount of good police work will reduce crime without support from the judicial branch.

"These criminals have no respect and no fear of the judicial system," he said.

Police found a couple of bullet holes in front of 101 Eastern Ave. when they responded to a ShotSpotter activation shortly before 11 p.m. Wednesday.

Conor Berry | cberry@repub.com 

Officers responded to a 10:55 p.m. ShotSpotter activation indicating three rounds fired near 97 Eastern Ave.

When units arrived on scene, they found a couple of bullet holes in the facade of a neighboring residence at 101 Eastern Ave., but they didn't locate any victims.

A ranking officer and a detective unit also responded to the incident, which remains under investigation.

The crime scene is near the corner of Eastern Avenue and Quincy Street.

One of the organizers said she hopes they raise at least $5,000 from the fashion show fundraiser.

PALMER – The Wing Memorial Hospital Auxiliary is presenting a fashion show and luncheon on Oct. 26 at the Ludlow Country Club.

Clothing will be provided by Kohl’s for the “fall fashion fling” and there will be 16 models, ranging in age from children to adults, according to Janice M. Fountain, one of the organizers.

Models will include Palmer singer Noah Lis, as well as Miss Massachusetts USA Caroline Lunny, Miss Massachusetts Teen USA Bailey Medeiros and Palmer High School art teacher Sean Burns, she said. State Rep. Todd M. Smola, R-Warren, will be the opening speaker.

The nonprofit Wing Memorial Hospital Auxiliary will use the money from the fundraiser for scholarships for high school students in Palmer, Monson, Wilbraham, Belchertown and Ludlow, and for Baystate Wing Hospital's emergency room project. In the past, the auxiliary purchased equipment for Wing Hospital and raised $50,000 for its new geriatric psychiatry unit. It also has pledged to raise $25,000 for Wing’s new emergency room.

Fountain said she hopes they raise $5,000 from the event.

Doors open at 11:30 a.m.; tickets are $30 for adults; $20 for ages 13 to 18; and $15 for ages 12 and under. Tickets can be purchased by calling Carol Doyle at (413) 267-9219.
There will be raffle prizes, and dinner choices are roast sirloin, chicken picatta or baked scrod. Children will be served chicken nuggets or macaroni and cheese.

There also are sponsorship opportunities, which gives donors recognition on programs and event advertising, as well as luncheon tickets.

Fountain said she is pleased with the number of volunteers who came together to help plan the event. She has been involved with the auxiliary for seven years, and is its vice president.

“It’s just important that we have the hospital in our community . . . We’re just really lucky,” Fountain said.

Fountain also noted the recent sale of Wing to Springfield-based Baystate Health from the University of Massachusetts Memorial Medical Center in Worcester, which she called another advantage for the community.

A dated yearbook picture of a smiling young woman has become the latest face of Ebola in the U.S.

DALLAS -- A dated yearbook picture of a smiling young woman has become the latest face of Ebola in the U.S.

The high school picture of Amber Vinson spread across the country after the 29-year-old nurse was confirmed with the virus Wednesday. But little was publicly revealed about her, beyond the image of her with a wide grin, tipped head and shiny pink blouse.

Vinson lived in Akron, Ohio, and went to Kent State University, where she received degrees in 2006 and 2008, the university said. She was licensed as a registered nurse in Ohio on February 2, 2009, and remains licensed there, records show, though she has since moved to Dallas. She became an R.N. in Texas on August 22, 2012.

Vinson lived in an unpretentious rental in The Village, a sprawling series of apartment buildings popular with young professionals and other Dallas newcomers. It's been the home to countless other workers at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital, which is just 2 miles away, including other people on the team that cared for Thomas Eric Duncan, the Ebola patient who died Oct. 8.

Medical records provided to The Associated Press by Duncan's family show Vinson inserted catheters, drew blood and dealt with the patient's body fluids. But little else has emerged about the nurse -- no obvious profiles on Facebook or LinkedIn, no flood of pictures documenting her life.

Emilia Sykes, who attended high school and Kent State with Vinson, said the two had lost touch, but that Vinson had always been interested in health care.

"When I knew her, we lived on the same end of the dorm together our freshman year. She was working through the nursing program and always knew she'd be a nurse," said Sykes, of Akron, Ohio who is seeking to replace her term-limited father in the state Legislature.

The most compelling image of the nurse flashed on TV screens Wednesday afternoon, when an ambulance with a crew clad in hazardous-material suits arrived at Presbyterian to head to Dallas Love Field. There, aerial video showed the crew leading a person in a yellow hazmat suit and booties onto a jet. A statement from Emory University Hospital in Atlanta confirmed Vinson would be transferred there. Only after the jet carrying her to Atlanta landed did Presbyterian confirm the transfer.

Keep up with complete coverage on Cleveland.com

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Associated Press writers Mark Gillispie, Kantele Franko, Jennifer Smola, Ann Sanner and John Seewer in Ohio contributed to this report.

Senate candidate Eric Lesser withdrew from a scheduled debate Wednesday afternoon on Longmeadow Community Television, saying the station was refusing to change its moderator who, he said, was a known supporter of his Republican opponent.

These were the most read stories on MassLive.com yesterday. If you missed any of them, click on the links below to read them now. One of the most viewed items overall was the photo gallery of the MGM Springfield fall career showcase, above. Here's a link to the story that goes with it.

1) Assumption College evacuated due to bomb threat, Wednesday classes canceled [Megan Bard]

2) West Springfield girls volleyball coach placed on leave over allegations involving student [Brian Steele]

3) Senate candidate Eric Lesser withdraws from Longmeadow debate after objecting to choice of moderator [Peter Goonan]

4) Springfield police: Over $100,000 worth of heroin seized in raids; 4 arrested, including man here illegally from Dominican Republic [George Graham]

5) Holyoke police arrest man for allegedly shooting North Summer St. home, believe shooting attempt to intimidate 19-year-old to join Bloods gang [Michelle Williams]

In a year where Democrats seem to be backing Republicans across Massachusetts, former Congressional and U.S. Senate hopeful Marisa DeFranco has formally endorsed the GOP's Richard Tisei in the race to represent the 6th Congressional District.

In an election year where Democrats seem to be backing Republicans across Massachusetts, former Congressional and U.S. Senate hopeful Marisa DeFranco has formally endorsed the GOP's Richard Tisei in the 6th Congressional District race.

Richard Tisei

Tisei is up against Democrat Seth Moulton, after voters the Marine and businessman defeated Democratic U.S. Rep. John Tierney in the party's September primary. Tierney had been embroiled in personal controversy for some time, and DeFranco was one of the candidates who, along with Moulton, pushed the incumbent into a competitive primary.

"I am a common sense Democrat, and I am endorsing Richard Tisei, a common sense Republican. Although we are from different parties, we have many important things in common," DeFranco told the Salem News. "We are both small business owners, we both have histories of advocating for those without a voice, and we both fight our party when we know they are wrong and we are right."

Tisei is an openly gay, moderate Republican who served in the state legislature for 26 years. In 2010 he was gubernatorial hopeful Charlie Baker's running mate and in 2012, Tierney narrowly defeated him in the general election.

"I appreciate Marisa’s confidence in me, and I have always admired her for putting people over party," Tisei said in a statement. "She knows that I will go to Washington and do what’s right for Main Street, not Wall Street."

Even with her endorsement of the Republican candidate, DeFranco is no stranger to political controversy herself. In the 2012 U.S. Senate race, the North Shore resident refused to step aside to clear the way for the party's preferred candidate, Elizabeth Warren, as Democrats challenged then Republican U.S. Sen. Scott Brown who was running for a full 6-year-term.

DeFranco, instead, was ousted by delegates for the Massachusetts Democratic Party, many of whom at the last minute were persuaded to throw their support behind Warren, who was then a Harvard Law School professor.

Still, her endorsement of a Republican, even one as moderate as Tisei, is surprising, considering her views were seen as being to the left of Warren in the 2012 Senate primary.

An immigration attorney with several high-profile cases under her belt, DeFranco was one of the early candidates to challenge Tierney, who many thought would cruise to victory in the primary, despite his wife serving time in jail relating to her brother's alleged illegal gambling operation in Antigua. Tierney's loss made him the first incumbent Democratic Congressman from Massachusetts to lose a primary since 1992, when Chester Atkins lost to fellow Democrat Martin Meehan in the 5th Congressional District.

Polling in the 6th Congressional District race between Tisei and Moulton has varied, with some showing a dead heat and others showing Moulton having a single-digit lead. The most recent Emerson College poll shows Tisei with a slight lead over Moulton, 42.6 percent to 39.6 percent among likely voters. But by all accounts, the race is hot and being watched by leaders in both parties as they eye just what Congress will look like after the midterm elections on Nov. 4.

33-year-old James Keating was under the influence of drugs when his car struck Dorazil Vitezslav on Forest Street near Bentley University.

WALTHAM, Mass. (AP) -- The driver of a vehicle that struck an 82-year-old Waltham man out for his daily walk is facing vehicular homicide charges.

Police say 33-year-old James Keating was under the influence of drugs when his car struck Dorazil Vitezslav on Forest Street near Bentley University just after 11 a.m. Wednesday.

The MetroWest Daily News reports that Vitezslav, who was unconscious and had injuries to his head and body when police arrived at the scene, was flown to a Boston hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Keating is scheduled to be arraigned Thursday on charges of motor vehicle homicide while operating under the influence of drugs, negligent driving and improper driving. It could not be determined if he has a lawyer.

The crash remains under investigation.

___

Information from: MetroWest Daily News (Framingham, Mass.)

No serious injuries were reported, state police said.

SPRINGFIELD -- Rain is believed to be a factor in two unrelated crashes on Interstate 291 Thursday morning, state police said.

No serious injuries were reported in either accident.

The first accident was reported about 7:30 a.m. when a female, eastbound in a Honda, went off the interstate and into the woods between Exits 5B and 6.

Dennis Leger, aide to Fire Commissioner Joseph Conant, said firefighters had to remove trees, which were the blocking the driver’s door, in order to extricate her.

“She walked out,” Leger said.

A five-vehicle accident was reported a short time later in the westbound lanes of Interstate 291 about a half-mile before Exit 5, state police said.

The $131,897,023 earmarked for Massachusetts will be disbursed to non-profits which assist families in towns and cities across the commonwealth.

WASHINGTON — With Massachusetts slated to receive nearly $132 million in low income heating assistance funds, Democratic U.S. Sen. Ed Markey is thanking the Department of Health & Human Services for releasing the funds, which were approved to help families in the commonwealth stay warm this coming winter.

Markey and Sen. Elizabeth Warren, both Massachusetts Democrats, recently signed a letter sent to the department's Secretary Sylvia Burwell, asking for the funds to be issued well ahead of the onset of the cold weather.

"As temperatures begin to fall, I applaud the Obama administration’s decision to release these vital LIHEAP funds to assist vulnerable low-income families in Massachusetts, especially the elderly, disabled, and veterans," Markey said in a statement. "With high energy prices predicted for New England this winter, I will continue working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to provide full funding to this critical program that ensures our nation’s poorest citizens are not left out the cold."

While heating costs are projected to drop this year due to the forecast of a milder winter in terms of arctic temperatures, the cost of heating remains higher than even five years ago. The $131,897,023 earmarked for Massachusetts will be disbursed to non-profits which assist families in towns and cities across the commonwealth.

"Because thousands of families across the Commonwealth depend on federal LIHEAP aid to heat their homes, this funding is absolutely critical," Warren said in a statement. "The Massachusetts delegation will continue to work with the Administration to increase funding for LIHEAP so that families can pay their energy bills and stay safe as temperatures drop."

The heating assistance program started in 1981 to offer low-income residents across the county a hand keeping warm in the winter and cool in the summer. But in recent years, amid a sluggish economy and rigid partisan divide in Washington, the program has been cut although the need has increased.

In 2011, the program received $4.7 billion in the federal budget but by the time the 2013 budget was approved, that number was slashed to $3.5 billion. In 2014, it further diminished to $3.02 billion where it remains for fiscal year 2015.

Markey has been a longtime supporter of the program dating back to his days in Congress representing the 5th Congressional District. In 2014, he received an award from the National Energy Assistance Directors’ Association for the years of legislative pushes he's led to maintain or increase funding for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program.

Markey won his Senate seat in a 2013 special election and this year he is up for re-election against Republican Brian Herr.

Kasparian kicked off the day in court on Thursday morning by attempting to get three jurors bounced off the panel, arguing one looked "disgusted" and two others were laughing and chatting during testimony.

SPRINGFIELD - Jurors continue their deliberations in a civil trial prompted by a complaint filed 18 years ago by imprisoned ex-county commissioner Abraham Kasparian Jr.

Kasparian filed suit in 1996 against former Hampden County co-commissioner Richard Thomas, Thomas' niece, Cathy Thomas, a clerk in the Hampden County Probate Court, and Alberto Perez, a probation officer. Kasparian has accused the three of hatching a scheme to leak his sealed criminal record to the media during an election for two commission seats that year. However, a third candidate died days before the primary, making Kasparian a shoe-in for an open seat.

Testimony during a two-day trial in Hamdpen Superior Court showed that Cathy Thomas requested a copy of Kasparian's record from Perez, who unwittingly handed it over without knowledge of the motive. She then passed it on to Richard Thomas, Kasparian's political rival. He shared a copy with the then-Springfield Union-News. The document showed Kasparian had a record of old arrests for welfare fraud, assault and firearms charges.

Kasparian, 62, is serving a 12 to 15-year sentence for stabbing his ex-wife in an Agawam pizza shop in 2002. The woman survived; Kasparian has about a year left to serve on that term.

The three defendants in the case all took the witness stand and under questioning by Kasparian, who is representing himself, admitted their roles in the leak. Kasparian also called himself as a witness, offering a lengthy proffer to jurors about his childhood and criminal record.

Jurors began deliberating around 3 p.m. on Wednesday. Kasparian kicked off the day in court on Thursday morning by attempting to get three jurors bounced off the panel, arguing one looked "disgusted" and two others were laughing and chatting during testimony. Of those two, one nodded politely at a defense lawyer while filing out of the courtroom on Wednesday, Kasparian told Judge Richard Carey.

Carey denied the motion and jurors resumed their deliberations. Kasparian is seeking money damages for emotional distress.

See live updates on the case in the comments section below.

Police said the operator of a van was taken to Baystate Medical Center.

SPRINGFIELD — State police are seeking a rust-colored Ford Probe that may have been involved in a Thursday morning crash on Interstate 291 that injured the driver of a van.

The incident in the westbound lanes of the highway near exit 4 forced a van off the road. Workers used a crane to lift the vehicle back onto the roadway.

Police said the operator was taken to Baystate Medical Center.

Additional information, including information about the extent of the operator's injuries, was not immediately available.

The incident followed two other crashes on the highway Thursday morning, both of which police attributed to driving conditions during periods of rain.

The acquaintance attempted to run down an officer as he fled the scene, police said.

Thomas Gonzalez 

CHICOPEE – A 36-year-old city woman, sought by police on outstanding warrants, unwittingly became a kidnap victim Wednesday night when she hopped into in an acquaintance’s vehicle in an effort to elude narcotics detectives, police said.

After getting into the passenger seat of the man’s car, the woman had second thoughts and wanted to get out and talk to the detectives, Public Information Officer Michael Wilk said.

The man, however, had other ideas and attempted to run down an officer as he fled the scene.
“She wanted to get out, she said ‘Let me out,’” Wilk said, adding that the man refused to stop.

A police chase ensured in which two pursuing cruisers side-swiped each other and third vehicle was rear-ended by the fleeing suspect.

A Chicopee police officer suffered minor injuries in the cruiser crash and was treated at a hospital. The driver of the rear-ended vehicle sought his own medical treatment, Wilk said.

The suspect’s vehicle eventually became inoperable and both the man and the woman were apprehended on Smith Street.

The trouble began around 5 p.m. Wednesday when narcotics officers spotted the woman near Ray Ash Park and doubled back to talk to her.

Wilk said the kidnap victim knew the driver of the vehicle that she entered but had not been with him prior to that moment.

Thomas Gonzalez, 30, 52 Pearl St. Springfield, was charged with assault with a dangerous weapon, leaving the scene of a personal injury accident, kidnapping, reckless operation of a motor vehicle, operating with a revoked license, failure to stop for police, conspiracy to violate drug laws, violation of a drug-free school zone, possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, leaving the scene of a property damage accident and intimidation of a witness.

Wilk said the woman was arrested on her warrants. He declined to identify her because she is the alleged victim of a crime.

Five Longmeadow homes will be on five Oct. 19, each celebrating a different Jewish holiday.

Adena Falk is active in the Jewish Federation of Western Massachusetts, and so naturally agreed to participate in its Women's Philanthropy home tour fund raiser for the PJ Library. The "Home for the Holidays" tour is "intended to be educational," as federation staffer Amy Berg Nee noted. The five Longmeadow homes that can be viewed on the self-guided tour, from 1 to 4 p.m., on Oct. 19, will each highlight a different Jewish holiday.

Falk's home will celebrate the Festival of Sukkot, a seven-day festival that just concluded on Oct. 15. The festival recalls the 40 years the Israelites wandered the desert, living in temporary shelters. It also celebrates harvest time. The word "sukkot" means booths, and each year Falk erects a sukkah, with the help of her two children, in the back yard.

"It's teaching about Judaism in the best way, and practicing what you preach," Falk said. "The children see it is not just about going to synagogue, but living Judaism and where it came from. We have a sukkah every year, and decorate it."

She described what visitors will see as a "small hut," whose exterior is decorated in harvest theme, with fruits, and "fun" lights hanging from the interior ceiling of reeds covered by canvas.

"It's not permanent. You take it up, and put it down at the end of the holiday," Falk said. "It represents the Jews not having a permanent home, and the fact that nothing in life is permanent."

Other homes will highlight Passover, which recalls the Exodus, from Egypt, Shabbat, the weekly day of rest considered central to Jewish life, Rosh Hashanah, which begins a new year, and Hanukkah, which celebrates the re-dedication of the Temple in Jerusalem.

The homes will feature holiday cuisine, including challah bread, as well as kosher dishes from Catering by Meital, Cheryl Blonder’s Kosher Catering, and Chez Josef. One home will feature a dreidel collection of more than 25 dreidels, a spinning top used for a game played during Hanukkah. Jewish educators will also be on hand to answer questions. Displays from Flowers, Flowers! will be on view.

Tickets are available at the federation offices (located in the Springfield Jewish Community Center at 1160 Dickinson St.) for $36. Tickets may also be purchased by contacting Michelle Everett at (413) 737-4313 x 137 or email meverett@jewishwesternmass.org. The federation is closed on the weekends, but anyone wishing information, may call Amy Berg Nee at (413) 813-5431, for a list of the homes on tour, where tickets may be purchased the day of the tour.

The PJ Library is a joint program of the federation and the Agawam-based Harold Grinspoon Foundation. The program provides Jewish children’s literature and music to families on a monthly basis. A sampling of these holiday themed books will be on display in each home.

The march is planned at 5 p.m. Monday.

Michael FentonFile photos / The Republican 

SPRINGFIELD — A community coalition has organized a march and rally on Monday to urge local officials to adopt a citywide “climate action plan” to reduce carbon emissions and help slow global warming.

The march and rally will precede a City Council meeting at 7 p.m., when the council will consider approving a non-binding resolution that urges Mayor Domenic J. Sarno “to further the creation and implementation of a climate action plan.” The resolution is sponsored by council President Michael Fenton.

The resolution urges the mayor to hire or designate as least one full-time staff person to work exclusively on coordinating city climate efforts and related tasks.

The march and rally is being conducted by the Springfield Climate Action Coalition, involving community groups led by Arise for Social Justice and the North End Outreach Network.

The march is planned at 5 p.m., from two locations: the Northgate Plaza, 1985 Main St.; and at the Arise office, 467 State St.

The two groups plans to converge at Center Square between Bridge and Harrington streets, and then gather at City Hall for a 6 p.m. rally on the front steps, organizers said in a prepared release.

The coalition supports the resolution “not only because a city-side climate action plan will help to stabilize the global climate, but also because it will benefit the public health and safety of the Springfield community, particularly poor Latino, Black and immigrant neighborhoods,” stated the announcement from Arise and the North End Outreach Network.

The resolution urges the mayor to assign at least one full-time person to climate-related tasks, which include:

Assessing our preparedness for climate change mitigation and adaptation; coordinating all city efforts to reduce greenhouse gases in industry; transportation, agriculture, waste, energy generation, and commercial/residential fuel consumption; drawing on the resources of Springfield residents, agencies and community organizations to improve our environment through an inclusive and democratic process; developing and promoting community education about options for improving Springfield’s environment; coordinating with all relevant regional, state and national agencies; and pursuing all relevant private, state and federal funding opportunities to improve Springfield’s environment.

A former Lt. Elmer J. McMahon School employee who managed the bank account for the PTO is accused of stealing thousands from the organization.

HOLYOKE -- A former Lt. Elmer J. McMahon School employee who managed the bank account for the PTO is accused of stealing thousands from the organization.

Karen Lamirande Authier was arraigned in Holyoke District Court on Wednesday on the charge of larceny by embezzlement of an amount exceeding $250.

The amount believed to be missing from the PTO account is between $10,000 and $16,000, according to estimates by Holyoke City Treasurer Jon Lumbra.

In addition to serving as a volunteer PTO member, Authier was employed for several years as a family liaison for the school. She was placed on paid administrative leave on May 6.

An investigation into the parent teacher organization was opened several months ago after a school vendor told McMahon officials of an outstanding balance.

In April, a sales representative for the Great American Opportunities, Inc, a product sales fundraising company, requested to meet with Assistant Principal Marianne Currier.

"The vendor indicated the monies owed are in the thousand(s)," according to court documents. The sales representative said she made several attempts to contact Authier but "received resistance and [has] been uncooperative with her requests," according to court documents.

Following the meeting with GAO, Currier told police she made several attempts to resolve the matter but received "evasive responses and excuses" from Authier. Currier said she received a photo of the front of a check made out to Great American Opportunities from Authier, but was not provided with proof that the check had been cashed. Additionally, Currier said she attempted to receive a copy of the check, but was unable to obtain it.

Unable to reach a solution, Currier said the school borrowed money from the district to pay the vendor, put a hold on the account and contacted the Holyoke Police Department regarding the possible theft of funds.

In early June, Detective Steven Rogers was advised of the case. According to his investigation, school officials were concerned that the account was mismanaged dating back to July 2012. "The nature of many of the transactions was currently unknown for copies of many of the checks written from the account could not be located and or produced," Rogers wrote in a supplemental narrative included in court documents.

As school officials expressed difficulty obtaining information on the account, Rogers contacted PeoplesBank, where the account was held. The Holyoke detective was given checks, deposit slips and an analysis of the account from the bank.

"Included in the package (from the bank) was copies of 19 checks all written from the PTO account, as well as copies of 9 Deposit Tickets, all documenting deposits into the PTO account. Also supplied was an Account Analysis, starting Sept. 29, 2012, ending on June 30, 2014. " his report states.

Authier became an authorized signer on the account in the summer of 2012. Other authorized signers on the account include: Lumbra, Head Clerk in the City Clerk's Office Patricia Tenney and Holyoke Assistant City Treasurer Sandra Smith.

While several city employees are listed on the account, Principal Myriam Skolnick told police Authier was in possession of the checkbook and debit card associated with the account.

When Rogers asked the bank vice president specifically of a check allegedly sent to Great American Opportunities, she said the bank could find no record of that check.

Of the 19 check copies obtained by Holyoke police, Currier said some of the checks "appeared to be valid, others did not," according to the police report.

In addition to questioning the validity of some checks, Currier questioned the lack of deposits. The assistant principal alleges that money from school fundraising efforts was never paid to certain venders that had provided the goods sold during the fundraiser and the fundraiser profits weren't deposited in the account. Currier said, in addition to GAO, the school had to settle outstanding balances with several vendors.

One such balance was with Yankee Candle. "A review of the material supplied (by the bank) seems to indicate that subsequent to a Spring 2013 fundraiser, $648 was collected towards the purchase of Yankee Candle supplied merchandise. From this amount, vender Yankee Candle was to receive $423.80, with the remaining balance, $259.20, going to the PTO as profit," Rogers wrote in his report. "Apparently the money was never received."

The school ultimately borrowed money from the district to pay Yankee Candle, and other vendors.

Rogers said he was advised by the bank vice president that "several of the checks listed on the spreadsheet (a record provided to him by the school) appeared to have been processed on scene at several different businesses, thus the bank could not produce a copy of the check."

Through his investigation, Rogers requested itemized receipts for the purchases at those businesses, which included Target in Holyoke and the Chicopee Walmart.

The receipts showed varying purchases from "dry cat food," purchased during a Dec. 24, 2013 visit to Target, to "Mascara" and "Liq Makeup" purchased a week later from the same store.

Further purchases were made at AC Moore, Walgreens and Stop & Shop.

On July 30, Rogers and Holyoke Det. Jennifer Sattler visited Authier's home, after she canceled an interview that was to be held at the police station.

"After being welcomed into her home, I advised Ms. Authier that the HPD was currently investigating the possible misuse of funds from the PTO account the care of which had been entrusted to her," Rogers wrote. "I also advised Ms. Authier that I had already reviewed several sales receipts, generated from sales posted to the PTO account, and that the items demoted on the receipts would seem to have nothing to do with the school or the PTO."

Hearing this, Rogers said that Authier's eyes "began to tear, she bowed her head, and exclaimed that 'this is not who I am.'"

Rogers said he advised Authier that an "an equitable agreement for all parties concerned was still an option," at their meeting in July. Authier said, according to Roger's notes, that she was open to some type of agreement but wished to speak with family first.

Rogers said Authier never followed up regarding an agreement and a criminal complaint was issued on Sept. 11.

Authier has retained the counsel of Thomas Wilson, of Dunn & Wilson Attorneys At Law. She will be back in Holyoke District Court for a pre-trial hearing on December 11.

A subway car plant here could employ hundreds and compete for more transit and rail car work

SPRINGFIELD - MBTA staff plan to recommend a manufacturer of the new Red Line and Orange Line subway cars to the T's board of directors within a month.

The decision will likely have an impact here in Springfield where two manufacturers -  Hyundai Rotem, a South  Korean industrial giant, Chinese company, CNR Changchun Railway Vehicles Co., the largest maker of rail cars in the world - have both announced plans to do the work in Springfield if they are selected.

And both companies see the Red Line and Orange Line out for bid now as a springboard to more transit work for the MBTA and other agencies, work both plans to do here in Springfield.

Joe Pesaturo, a spokesman for the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority, said in an email  that he cannot make information about the bidders public now before the selection is made.

Construction whichever plant would begin in late 2015 and production in 2016.

The state turned down federal money for the car replacement in order to require that at least the assembly work would take place in Massachusetts. Three locations in Berkshire County - Pittsfield, Dalton and Lee -  are also in the running bet there are no companies associated, publicly at least, with those sites.

The T is buying at least 226 cars. Of those, 152 would be Orange Line cars, replacing the entire fleet of 120, and 74 would be Red Line cars, with an option to increase the fleet to 132. The 43-year-old Red Line cars and 31-year-old Orange Line cars are due for replacement.

Last week, Hyundai Rotem announced plans for a $30 million subway car assembly plant in a former warehouse at 180 Progress Avenue in Springfield. The plant would  have 150 t0 200 employees. Hyundai already as a deal in place with the  current owner. That deal is contingent upon getting the MBTA contract.

Hyundai Rotem plans to host a news conference and vendor meeting at the Business Growth Center in Springfield Technology Park Thursday, Oct. 16.

Changchun already announced its plans for a $50 million factory that would  would employ 150 to 300 workers and serve as Changchun's entry into the  North American market for rail cars. The company has no North American operations now. All the cars are expected to cost $1.5 billion.

Hyundai has offices around this county at locations where it is working on various transit projects, said Andrew Hyer, marketing/business development manager at Hyundai Rotem USA.

The Company's only other stateside factory is in Philadelphia, a factory established to make cars for SEPTA there where Hyundai also made some bi-level commuter rail cars for the MBTA.

But Hyer said all future MBTA work would come out of Springfield.

"And for other transit agencies in that region, too. But mostly for the MBTA," he said.

That might include more bi-level commuter rail cars for the commuter rail  line trains, or self-propelled diesel-fueled rail cars the MBTA is expected to order. he said the T will also probably go out to bid for new Green Line trolleys.

CNR Changchun has said it too hopes to use Springfield as a hub , but in its case for all its North American work including cars for Amtrak's expanded high-speed intercity service.

Changchun plans a new building at its factory, which was once the site of Westinghouse.

Hyundai expects to make extensive renovations and expansions to its site, a vacant warehouse.

Hyer said work involves adding new garage doors, lifts, and electrified tracks inside and outside. Cars will arrive as shells and leave finished.

Robert Greeley, the leasing agent for the property, said Hyundai is also building a specali wash bay. there , workers will test test the weather sealing on the cars with high-pressure water.

"It really will be quite a set up," he said. "The building will need extensive modification."

Hyer siad it works out to $15 million in equipment and another 415 million on renovations. Hyer didn't know how many construction jobs that translates into.

Greeley said he showed the Progress Avenue site to all the players in the MBTA contract. it's hard to find a spot for a railroad car maker, he said .

All builders want a connection to rail lines and highway access for super-long tractor trailers. The bid specs from the T call for the cars to be delivered by truck, not by rail. Delivering by truck evidently makes it easier for the T.

Members of the Westfield conservation commission were surprised at the end of Tuesday night’s meeting when George Martin announced that it would likely be his last. They weren’t alone.

WESTFIELD – Members of the Westfield conservation commission were surprised at the end of Tuesday night’s meeting when George Martin announced that it would likely be his last. They weren’t alone.

“Did you indicate a desire to leave the commission?” board member Thomas Sharp asked.

“Hell no,” Martin said.

Martin was appointed to the commission in 2008, but his conservation work stretches back 20 years. He was instrumental in bringing the Community Preservation Act to Westfield, and serves as the conservation commission’s representative to that committee. He served on the flood control commission and worked with the Winding River Land Conservancy. But his conservation work in the city suddenly has been cut short, and the city isn’t answering questions.

Mayor Daniel Knapik has power to appoint conservation commission members. With very few exceptions, a member usually is reappointed at the end of his or her term unless he or she retires or resigns.

Martin did not retire or resign. He received no warning from Knapik, no communication whatsoever, so he was shocked to learn last week that his replacement was up for approval in front of the city council. He found out through a friend. When he called the mayor’s office to find out what was happening, he received no response.

His proposed replacement, Muneeb Mahmood, also was surprised at Thursday night’s city council personnel action committee meeting. Mahmood knew nothing of Martin’s situation.

Mahmood said he resigned from the off-street parking commission when he got busy at the beginning of this year. When his situation changed, he asked Knapik if there were any board openings, and Knapik said there was an opening on the conservation commission, Mahmood said.

Martin’s three-year term was up in February and he has been held over since then, which is a common situation in appointments.

At Thursday night’s meeting, Councilor Ralph Figy said he also asked the mayor’s office why Martin was being replaced. He was told the mayor makes appointments, and it’s the council’s job to approve them. He was not given an explanation.

Figy said other councilors tried to contact the mayor’s office. They received no answer. Knapik did not respond to request for comment for this story.

Mahmood is a certified flight instructor at Northampton Aeronautics. He previously was an intern for Sen. Don Humason, R-Westfield. Councilors agreed at Thursday’s meeting that Mahmood is a strong candidate for appointment, they just didn’t understand why Martin was being replaced.

Legally, it is the mayor’s power to appoint board members of his choosing, and the council can approve or reject appointments. According to the Westfield code of ordinances, the conservation commission “shall include at least one woman, and should also include in its membership, if possible, an engineer, a lawyer and a banker.” Chairman David Doe said he did not think any other member is a lawyer or banker. Its members are all men.

Martin is an engineer. He is the sole member who fulfills, in part, what the code of ordinances says “should” be the commission’s makeup.

At Thursday’s meeting, councilors decided to keep the issue in committee in the hopes that the mayor’s office will answer questions.

“I don’t feel comfortable moving forward with this,” Councilor Brian Sullivan said.

Councilors made it clear that the decision to keep the appointment in committee was not a reflection on Mahmood, but on the process. Martin even spoke in support of Mahmood.

“He’s a great guy,” Martin said. “I wish him luck.”

Martin is a conservative Republican. Most of his votes on the commission have been in line with issues that Knapik supported — not intentionally, Martin said, it just happened that way. Martin doesn’t know of anything he’s done that would prompt a replacement. He has never even spoken with the mayor.

On the commission, Martin has sacrificed hours of his time. He goes to site visits and almost never misses an obligation. Just this summer, he skipped a trip to see his grandson play volleyball so Martin could keep up with his duties. But he isn’t looking for thanks or praise, he simply wants to know why, after years of dedicated service, he is being replaced.

Martin said he accepts that he will be replaced, and he isn’t looking for his job back. He’s finished with his work in the city, he said. Now, he just wants to know why.

Gendron previously pleaded guilty to federal sexual exploitation of children and child pornography charges.

PITTSFIELD (AP) — A Pittsfield man has pleaded guilty to video recording himself sexually abusing young girls.

The Berkshire Eagle reports that Jason Gendron pleaded guilty Thursday in Berkshire Superior Court to 10 charges, including multiple counts of child rape aggravated by an age difference and indecent assault and battery on a child under 14.

Prosecutors say the 35-year-old Gendron recorded himself raping a 3-year-old child and forcing a 7-year-old girl into a sex act on one occasion each, and recording himself raping a 13-year-old child multiple times.

Gendron previously pleaded guilty to federal sexual exploitation of children and child pornography charges.

Prosecutors and Gendron's attorney agreed to a 25- to 30-year prison sentence on the state charges to be served concurrently with the federal sentence, expected to be up to 50 years.