Most of Western Massachusetts schools will open before Labor Day this year since the holiday that signals the unofficial end of summer falls so late in the month.

While there's still plenty of summer vacation left to enjoy, school districts are already gearing up for the return of students – and retailers are clearing the aisles of beach chairs and umbrellas to make way for backpacks and notebooks.

If summer seems a little longer this year, it's because Memorial Day, the last Monday in May, fell early on May 25 – and Labor Day, the first Monday in September, falls late on Sept. 7.

Most of Western Massachusetts schools will open before Labor Day this year since the holiday that signals the unofficial end of summer falls so late in the month. The earliest date for the start of school is Aug. 31, the Monday before Labor Day.

Fluctuations in the start day are affected by how many snow days local districts add to the 180-day public school calendar.

Below are some starting dates for school districts and some private schools in Western Massachusetts:

Springfield Public Schools: Monday, Aug. 31, Grades 1-12; Tuesday, Sept. 8, kindergarten and pre-kindergarten

Hadley Public Schools: Monday, Aug. 31, Grades 1-9; Tuesday, Sept. 1, Grades 10-12; Tuesday, Sept. 8, kindergarten and pre-kindergarten

Holyoke Public Schools: Monday, Aug. 31, Grades 1-12; Tuesday, Sept. 8, kindergarten and pre-kindergarten

South Hadley Public Schools: Monday, Aug. 31, Grades 1-12; Tuesday, Sept. 1, kindergarten

Chicopee Public Schools: Monday, Aug. 31, Grades 1-9; Tuesday; Sept. 1, Grades 10-12; Tuesday, Sept. 8, kindergarten and pre-kindergarten

Easthampton Public Schools: Monday, Aug. 31; Grade 9 regular start time; delayed opening for Grades 10, 11 and 12; Wednesday, Sept. 9, kindergarten

Longmeadow Public Schools: Monday, Aug. 31, Grades 1-12; Tuesday, Sept. 1, kindergarten and pre-kindergarten

Longmeadow Public Schools: Monday, Aug. 31, Grades 1-12; Tuesday, Sept. 1, kindergarten and pre-kindergarten

East Longmeadow Public Schools: Tuesday, Sept. 1, Grades 1-12

Belchertown Public Schools: Tuesday, Sept. 1, Grades 1-12; Sept. 8 and 9, staggered kindergarten entrance; Sept. 9, pre-kindgergarten starts

Westfield Public Schools: Tuesday, Sept. 1, Grades 1-12; Tuesday Sept. 8, first day of kindergarten; Monday, Sept. 14, first day of pre-kindergarten

Palmer Public Schools: Tuesday, Sept. 1, Grades 1-12; Friday, Sept. 11, kindergarten

Hampden-Wilbraham Public Schools: Wednesday, Sept. 2, Grades 1-12

West Springfield Public Schools: Wednesday, Sept. 2, Grades 1-12; Thursday, Sept. 3, kindergarten, pre-kindergarten

Amherst-Pelham Regional Schools: Wednesday, Sept 2, Grades 1-12; Friday, Sept. 4, kindergarten and pre-kindergarten

Northampton Public Schools: Wednesday, Sept. 2, Grades 1-12; Tuesday, Sept. 8, kindergarten

Agawam Public Schools: Thursday, Sept. 3, Grades 1-12

Private schools:

Wilbraham Monson Academy: Monday, Aug. 31, first day of classes

Williston Academy, Easthampton: Monday, Sept. 14, first day of classes

There will be signs marking the roadwork.

WILBRAHAM - Selectman Robert Boilard said that Stony Hill Road between Tinkham Road and Springfield Street will be closed Aug. 4 and 5 between 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. due to water main work as a result of residential construction.

Some residents in the area will be without water for four hours early in the morning on those days, but they are all being notified door-to-door by the Water Department, Boilard said.

There will be signs marking the roadwork.

"Stony Hill Road is one of our main thoroughfares," Boilard said. He said there are other ways to get around the area of the road which will be closed.

The FERC hearing starts at 6:30 p.m. at the Greenfield Middle School.

GREENFIELD -- Protests and a large crowd are expected at tonight's Federal Energy Regulatory Commission hearing on the proposed Kinder Morgan/Tennessee Gas pipeline known as Northeast Energy Direct.

A rally featuring music and speeches is slated to begin outside the Greenfield Middle School on Federal Street starting at 5 p.m., according to various social media posts. Keith P. Barnicle, aide to Congressman James McGovern (D-2nd District), is scheduled to speak at 5:30. McGovern has been an outspoken opponent of the natural gas pipeline plan.

FERC officers will conduct the "scoping session" to hear public testimony on the environmental impacts of the proposed natural gas pipeline. State legislators, local town officials, affected property owners, activists, and more have indicated they will sign up to speak. The deadline for delivering formal comments to FERC is August 31.

Tonight's hearing starts at 6:30 p.m. at the 141 Davis St. Greenfield Middle School auditorium.

Interest in the pipeline issue has been intense in Franklin County. A Greenfield hearing in June, held by the state Dept. of Public Utilities, drew around 700 people, most of whom opposed a plan by Berkshire Gas to purchase capacity on the line.

Kinder Morgan subsidiary Tennessee Gas Pipeline Co. is trying to button down the capacity contracts so it can justify the need for the pipeline to federal regulators, said Rep. Stephen Kulik (D-Worthington) at the time. Kulik is among those on Beacon Hill who are opposed to the pipeline.

Tonight's session is designed to help FERC determine what to include in its Environmental Impact Statement, a document required under federal law. The EIS, which would take up to 18 months to assemble, must list the environmental impacts associated with the interstate pipeline, and describe ways to mitigate or avoid them. The EIS is required under the National Environmental Policy Act, or NEPA.

Last week Senate President Stanley Rosenberg wrote to FERC asking the commission to postpone tonight's hearing, saying officials from affected towns hadn't had enough time to prepare meaningful input. Kinder Morgan released more than 6,500 pages of environmental data on Friday, leaving only days for interested parties to absorb the new information.

A FERC spokeswoman reached by telephone Monday said it would not be possible to postpone the hearing for logistical reasons. Rosenberg has not taken a formal position on the pipeline.

More than a dozen such scoping sessions are planned along the length of the project.

The entire 412-mile NED project would impact Pennsylvania, New York, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Connecticut. It consists of main pipeline, laterals and loops, compressor and meter stations, and other facilities.

In western Massachusetts NED would cut through Hancock, Lanesborough, Cheshire, Dalton, Hinsdale, Peru, Windsor, Plainfield, Ashfield, Conway, Shelburne, Deerfield, Montague, Erving, Northfield, and Warwick, delivering highly-compressed natural gas from the Marcellus region of Pennsylvania to markets in the Northeast.

The project would lay approximately 101 miles of new pipeline in Massachusetts, including four lateral spurs crossing Townsend and Lunenburg; Dracut, Andover, Tewksbury, Wilmington, North Reading, Reading, and Lynnfield; Dracut and Methuen; and Lynnfield, Middleton, Peabody, and Danvers. Large compressor stations are planned for Windsor, Northfield, and Dracut. New meter stations would be sited in Lanesborough, Dalton, Deerfield, Dracut, Lynnfield, Lunenburg, Longmeadow, and Everett. The line would terminate at a regional gas transmission hub in Dracut.

The line would be tunneled beneath the Connecticut and Deerfield rivers through a horizontal drilling method, according to environmental filings.

Opposition to the pipeline has been fierce in the region, with groups such as Massachusetts Pipe-Line Awareness Network (MassPLAN) and No Fracked Gas in Mass leading the charge.

Business groups such as Associated Industries of Massachusetts support the project. Other supporters include New England construction unions, including the the Laborers Local 596, based in Holyoke.

Supporters say the Kinder Morgan project is needed because pipeline constraints prevent enough natural gas from entering New England, especially during periods of peak demand, leading to high energy prices. Opponents say there are other ways to meet the region's energy needs, and that there is no guarantee the line would lead to savings for the consumer.

Mary Serreze can be reached at mserreze@gmail.com

A class of culinary students graduated from foodWorks@Kate's Kitchen. A ceremony was held at Providence Ministries Service Network on Tuesday.

HOLYOKE -- When Natanael Crespo was in ninth grade, he dropped out of Dean Technical High School.

Raised by a single mother who struggled to provide for her children, Crespo hoped to help her pay the bills by working a minimum wage job at McDonald's.

"I fell into the wrong crowd trying to make money," Crespo said, who was arrested on drug charges.

After serving time, the city man sought to turn his life around. "I came here with a bracelet on but they were willing to help me," Crespo said, of a GPS ankle bracelet he wore upon his release. "The hours I spent here were long and difficult but I came here to try to change my life. I'm so glad I did, it's the first time I've finished something."

Crespo was one of six graduates of foodWorks@Kate's Kitchen, a culinary training program at Providence Ministries Service Network. The other students include: Michael Bowler, Joelene Christmas-Chase, Michaela Murray, Alcira Ortiz and Zakeya Scott.

The 12-week program offers hands-on kitchen instruction, career development classes and life skills training. Their skills are put to use by cooking meals at the soup kitchen in South Holyoke.

The students and their families celebrated their achievement during a graduation ceremony held at the Hamilton Street center on Tuesday evening. As each student was handed a certificate of completion, the room erupted into applause and cheers.

Nico Helems, of state Senator Donald F. Humason's office, attended the ceremony on the senator's behalf and congratulated the group. 

They are the fifth class to graduate through the program funded by grants and donations.

Ralph Webb, a certified executive chef and chef manager of foodWorks@Kate's Kitchen, began developing the program several years ago with the goal of getting extra help in the kitchen and giving those interested in culinary fields a better chance at getting a job.

"We operate on a shoestring budget," Webb said, adding that he's grateful to have support from the community.

The ministries network hopes to open a second kitchen in the South Holyoke facility and expand the class to 15 students per session, 45 each year.

They received a $150,000 grant from the city's Office for Community Development, and a donation from People's Bank. Executive Director Providence Ministries of Karen Blanchard said they hope to raise the final funds for the renovation - estimated to cost a quarter of a million - then begin construction soon.

Citing a proverb, Blanchard said they hope to teach their students to fish, allowing them to feed themselves for a lifetime.

Log Cabin / Delaney House Sous Chef Rich Poggi complimented the program during Tuesday's ceremony. "Ralph produces some of the best culinary students. They come out of this program wanting to work and learn."

Poggi invites the class into his kitchen during their training and catered the ceremony.

Some students, like Crespo, say they like the idea of working with others in a kitchen while going back to school. Other students said they eventually would like to open their own restaurants. Each said they're excited to look for work with their new skill set.

Sensitivity training the Holyoke City Council received June 29 is lingering as an election-season issue, complete with name-calling.

HOLYOKE — City Council candidate Mike Franco criticized the sensitivity training that councilors recently received as "iron-fisted...indoctrination," and also aimed a blast at Ward 4 Councilor Jossie M. Valentin.

"Jossie wants all of us to hold hands and talk about her vagina. I say, no thank you," said Franco, according to a June 17 online post.

That was a reference to Valentin helping to direct and produce a Spanish performance on April 18 of "The Vagina Monologues" at the War Memorial, 310 Appleton St.

Franco's comments were posted on the site Meetup.com, which says its mission is to "revitalize local community and help people around the world self-organize."

Franco said on Meetup.com on June 17, above a copy of a Republican / MassLive.com story about city councilors undergoing sensitivity training, "Forced, potentially iron-fisted 'diversity and sensitivity' indoctrination training for our elected officials on Holyoke City Council. And at least one councilor wants it opened to viewing by the public. Make sure you eat your vegetables!"

Valentin said that Franco's comments were unfortunate and that he owed voters an explanation.

"It is unfortunate that a candidate who is running for office would see an inclusive leadership training as 'forced, iron-fisted, indoctrination,' instead of seeing it as an opportunity for personal growth and development to better serve the diverse citizens of Holyoke," Valentin said.

"To refer to this training as 'the Council allowing itself to be bullied' makes no sense to me. In addition, Mr. Franco's choice of words about me is perplexing. I think Mr. Franco owes the voters – especially women – an explanation as to what his intent was with these posts and comments," she said.

In a statement when asked to elaborate (see below), Franco said staging "The Vagina Monologues" at the War Memorial was "blasphemous" and better suited in a city like Northampton.

"First, and most importantly, the building is not an appropriate venue for this play. It is a hallowed ground to honor our nation's veterans and armed forces members," Franco said.

Valentin and other organizers obtained permission from officials to hold "The Vagina Monologues" performance at the site the same way organizers of other events seek such authorization, she said. The $1,150 proceeds from the play went to Womanshelter/Comaneras of Holyoke, which helps victims of domestic violence, she said.

"For him to refer to the 'Monologues' as a 'blasphemous program,' when it is recognized worldwide as a tool to address violence against women, is quite an insult to women, especially those who are victims of violence," Valentin said.

Franco and Valentin are not running against each other in the Nov. 3 election. Franco, who has sought numerous seats in elections over the years, is running for one of the City Council's eight at large seats.

Valentin is seeking election to a second term representing Ward 4.

Twelve of the 15 councilors attended the June 29 training at City Hall on inclusive leadership, sensitivity and diversity. In interviews later, councilors praised the kindness and expertise of the trainers who led the 3½-hour session and said the setting free of scrutiny and politics let councilors talk and be themselves.

The city paid $1,500 for the training that was held in City Council Chambers at City Hall.

Despite the training being paid for with taxpayer funds and held in a public building, the public and press were banned from the session under the part of the state Open Meeting Law that permits elected bodies to gather in a way that won't be considered a "meeting" if the purpose is to attend a "training program ... so long as the members do not deliberate."

Franco said remarks he posts on Meetup.com and sites like Twitter and Facebook are speech protected by the U.S. Constitution's First Amendment.

"So if Ms. Valentin and her people don't like what I have to say on my social media outlets, they don't have to read it. To the contrary, my friends, and those I associate with in the realm of public advocacy tend to like my sites, so I will continue to maintain them as is – philosophically speaking, and expand upon them going forward," Franco said.

The training that "Valentin demanded" the City Council receive was wasted time and money because voters who object to what councilors do or say can vote them out of office, he said.

"Remember, they're elected officials of a legislative body, and not appointees, department heads, and/or civil service where some of these courses may be necessary," Franco said.

Valentin said, "Clearly, Mr. Franco is confused about how this training came about. I guess he did not follow it closely to realize that it was a unanimous vote of the City Council that resulted in this training taking place."

"He is ridiculous," she said.

The training was related to an incident that occurred in City Council Chambers Oct. 1, 2013.

That night, without realizing their microphones were on, Councilors Daniel B. Bresnahan and Todd A. McGee were overheard briefly remarking about the attractiveness of pregnant councilors. It was a reference to Councilor at Large Rebecca Lisi, who was pregnant at the time, and Councilor at Large Brenna Murphy McGee, Todd McGee's wife, who was then a councilor and is now city clerk and who was pregnant the year before. Bresnahan and McGee apologized.

The outcry in the wake of that incident included calls for the City Council to undergo such training.

Here is a statement from Mike Franco responding to criticisms of his remarks on Meetup.com by Ward 4 Councilor Jossie M. Valentin and providing an elaboration on a comment he made about Valentin and the play "The Vagina Monologues:"

"First, my Meetup blog, as well as my Twitter and Facebook pages are social media outlets within my private purview in a public domain. These outlets are not constructed in an official capacity of the City of Holyoke, and each is protected speech under the First Amendment.

"So if Ms. Valentin and her people don't like what I have to say on my social media outlets, they don't have to read it. To the contrary, my friends, and those I associate with in the realm of public advocacy tend to like my sites, so I will continue to maintain them as is - philosophically speaking, and expand upon them going forward.

"Second, it's my view that the training Ms. Valentin demanded members of the city council to perform was unnecessary and wasteful. If constituents and voters don't like how our councilors behave or what they say, intended or not, they can vote them out. Remember, they're elected officials of a legislative body, and not appointees, department heads, and/or civil service where some of these courses may be necessary.

"Furthermore, we're only human and sometime make petty mistakes. I voted for Dan Bresnahan, and would have voted for Todd McGee if he were in my ward notwithstanding Ms. Valentin's judgment. Hence, it is the more ordinary folks who would get my support and vote at the end of the day.

"Also, public monies used for 'feel-good' training for the Council would have been better spent through funding law enforcement programs in the lower wards. Public safety is where the rubber meets the road. This would be a more optimal use of tax dollars, affording a positive and direct impact to quality of life issues in our community.

"Finally, regarding Ms. Valentin hosting the Vagina Monologues in our War Memorial Building I have much to say.. First, and most importantly, the building is not an appropriate venue for this play. It is a hallowed ground to honor our nation's veterans and armed forces members. The push of her personal agenda in a public war memorial is reprehensible, and none other than a 'poke in the eye' to the good and decent people of Holyoke.

"Ms. Valentin could have quickly and easily found the right place in Northampton to host her Vagina Monologues. There are multiple venues for these alternative forms of expression, arts and entertainment. Frankly, I question any city leader who would encourage and allow such a blasphemous program to occur in our War Memorial Building.

Mike Franco"

Here are Ward 4 Councilor Jossie M. Valentin's comments regarding remarks made by City Council candidate Mike Franco:

"It is unfortunate that a candidate who is running for office would see an inclusive leadership training as 'forced, iron-fisted, indoctrination,' instead of seeing it as an opportunity for personal growth and development to better serve the diverse citizens of Holyoke. To refer to this training as 'the Council allowing itself to be bullied' makes no sense to me. In addition, Mr. Franco's choice of words about me is perplexing. I think Mr. Franco owes the voters -- especially women -- an explanation as to what his intent was with these posts and comments.

"It's also hilarious that he thinks I mandated the training. He is clearly unfamiliar with how the Council works and how orders are filed and voted on. The order that resulted in the training moving forward was filed by Kevin (City Council President Kevin A. Jourdain) and Rebecca (Lisi). I wasn't even a cosponsor of it.

"Clearly, Mr. Franco is confused about how this training came about. I guess he did not follow it closely to realize that it was a unanimous vote of the city council that resulted in this training taking place.

"In terms of his ridiculous statement about the 'Vagina Monologues,' the 'Monologues' were put together by a group of Holyoke community members. We went through the process of meeting with the War Memorial commissioners to present the project and obtain their authorization. This was not a random request from me as a city councilor.

"For him to refer to the monologues as a 'blasphemous program,' when it is recognized worldwide as a tool to address violence against women, is quite an insult to women, especially those who are victims of violence.

"He is ridiculous."

A total of 29 people returned nomination papers and were certified for the mayor's race and City Council races in Springfield.

SPRINGFIELD — The deadline passed Tuesday on candidates qualifying for the 2015 election ballot, but not before six people were certified for the mayor's race -- the most candidates for that office in recent memory.

The mayor's race emerged as the only race that will require a preliminary election, Sept. 15, to narrow the candidates to two finalists. The general election follows on Nov. 3, when the mayor's race and multiple races for City Council will be on the ballot.

Those on the ballot for mayor include Mayor Domenic J. Sarno, seeking re-election to a new four-year term, and five challengers: Johnnie Ray McKnight; Salvatore "Sal" Circosta; Beverly Savage; Ivelisse Gonzalez; and Michael Jones.

The top two vote-getters in the preliminary would appear on the Nov. 3 ballot.

Election Commissioner Gladys Oyola said the six candidates for mayor is the most she recalls in a Springfield primary. Her tenure in that office in different capacities dates back more than 20 years.

There seemed to be a lot of enthusiasm for running for local office, particularly in the mayor's race, Oyola said.

"It has been lively so far," Oyola said. "I think they are really, honestly, going to run campaigns versus just throw their hat in the ring and not do anything."

A total of 29 people are certified for the ballot, with at least one other person's possibly qualifying, as signatures continue to be verified, Oyola said. There is no School committee race on this year's ballot, as committee members are in mid-term.

Two city councilors - Ward 2 Councilor Michael Fenton and Ward 8 Councilor Orlando Ramos - have no opposition in their re-election bids. One potential challenger for Ward 8, former Councilor John Lysak, chose not to submit his papers.

Those running for mayor needed to turn in at least 500 valid signatures of registered voters to be certified for the ballot. Those running for a council seat had to turn in at least 100 signatures of registered voters.

Nine people have been certified for the November ballot for five at-large seats on the City Council. Those certified are all five incumbents: Thomas Ashe; Justin Hurst; Timothy Rooke; Kateri Walsh; and Bud Williams; and challengers Jesse Lederman; Kenneth Pooler; Alexander Sherman; LaMar Cooke. A potential 10th candidate, Jeffrey Donnelly, turned in signatures but they were still being reviewed and certification was uncertain, Oyola said.

Six of the eight ward seats in Springfield have two candidates on the November ballot including all the incumbent councilors seeking re-election.

Based on those certified, the following contests are on the ballot:

• Ward 1: Incumbent Zaida Luna; challenger Adam Gomez
• Ward 3: Incumbent Melvin Edwards; challenger Yolanda Cancel
• Ward 4: Incumbent E. Henry Twiggs; challenger Victoria Rowe
• Ward 5: Incumbent Clodovaldo Concepcion; challenger Marcus Williams
• Ward 6: Incumbent Kenneth Shea; challenger Kim Rivera
• Ward 7: Incumbent Timothy Allen; challenger Lillian Gray

Oyola said that the number of people returning signatures and being certified for the ballot is the most since ward representation took effect in 2009. Previously, the council had nine at-large seats and no ward seats.

Oyola said she believes there was some surprise by some of the candidates for mayor regarding how difficult it is to gather sufficient valid signatures for mayor's race.

"It's easy to pull out nomination papers," Oyola said. "It's not so easy to get certified and on the ballot."

The Massachusetts Legislature is expected to vote later this week on creating an Aug. 15-16 sales tax holiday.

BOSTON - A key committee has recommended that the Legislature pass an August sales tax holiday, setting the stage for a vote in the House, which could come as early as Wednesday.

The House Committee on Ways and Means released the bill with a favorable recommendation on Tuesday afternoon, by a vote of 30 to 3. A committee spokesman would not say which lawmakers voted against it.

The bill establishing a sales tax holiday on Aug. 15-16 has generated some controversy this year, as the state faces a tight budget that fills an estimated $1.8 billion structural deficit. However, key lawmakers say they believe the support is there to pass the bill. The Senate already passed sales tax holiday legislation earlier this month.

"I view this as an economic stimulus," said state Rep. Joseph Wagner, D-Chicopee, chairman of the Joint Committee on Economic Development and Emerging Technologies, who plans to speak on behalf of the bill on the House floor. "I know that in difficult fiscal times, people look very carefully at how tax dollars get spent...But I think in this case, while it comes at a cost to the commonwealth in terms of tax revenues, there are benefits that result in our promoting business."

Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr, R-Gloucester, who sponsored the legislation, said in a prepared statement, "We know that the sales tax holiday will put people to work, save consumers money, and generate economic activity during a traditionally slow period.  In simple terms, this is a win-win-win situation and we should make certain that we deliver this bill to the governor's desk."

There have been sales tax holidays in 10 of the last 11 years. The only exception was in 2009, the year the state raised the sales tax on the heels of the recession.

According to the Department of Revenue, the sales tax holiday cost the state around $25 million in foregone sales tax revenue in 2014. But boosters of the tax holiday, led by the Retailers Association of Massachusetts, say that report does not take into account the broader impact on the state's economy. They say retailers would get a $168 million boost in sales from a weekend sales tax holiday.

"We do think it's a very popular event with retailers and also with consumers," said Bill Rennie, vice president of the Retailers Association.

Rennie said the holiday stops Massachusetts shoppers from buying goods - particularly expensive items like furniture or electronics - in New Hampshire or over the Internet, where they do not have to pay sales tax.

But budgetary watchdogs take a different perspective. Eileen McAnneny, president of the Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation, said she understands the impulse to help retailers. But, she said, "From a budget standpoint, it's harder to justify." McAnneny argued that the sales generated by the tax holiday would have happened anyway, just at a different time.

Although a loss of $25 million is only a tiny fraction of the state's $38 billion budget, McAnneny said small expenditures add up. "Given the tight fiscal situation, we need to be looking at every dollar," she said.

There is some growing opposition this year. State Sen. Will Brownsberger, D-Belmont, has voted for the sales tax holiday in the past, but opposes it this year.

"It basically moves sales around more than increasing sales," Brownsberger said. "It doesn't really generate new economic activity, and it doesn't necessarily benefit consumers, because some retailers are going to take advantage of that discount on their taxes to not discount as much on their own prices."

State Sen. Michael Rodrigues, D-Westport, chairman of the Joint Committee on Revenue, who has consistently opposed the sales tax, said the loss of $25 million is not accounted for in the state budget. And he said the holiday will mostly help large retailers, since smaller stores do not have the inventory on hand or the storage space to handle what can be the equivalent of one month's sales in a weekend.

"It's really a benefit to big box stores. The small mom and pop retailers, they don't see as much benefit," Rodrigues said.

Rodrigues said he thinks the tax holiday gets passed each year for political reasons.

"We always wait until the end of the summer session so we can go out on a high note and do something politically popular for our constituents back home," Rodrigues said.

But at the same time, the holiday continues to have many supporters.

State Rep. Michael Finn, D-West Springfield, a member of the House Ways and Means Committee, said his constituents are in favor if it.

"I think it's great for all the businesses that get extra business to come through the door," Finn said. "It just gives a great break to every taxpaying citizen in the commonwealth who has that one opportunity not to pay the tax."

State Rep. Stephen Kulik, D-Worthington, vice chairman of the Joint Committee on Ways and Means, said he has voted for the tax holiday some years and against it other years, depending on the economy and state revenues. He plans to support it this year.

But Kulik said after hearing some concerns from statehouse colleagues, he anticipates that the Legislature may have a larger debate about the usefulness of the holiday over the next year.

"To me the question is does the benefit outweigh the loss to the state treasury and other worthwhile programs that we might otherwise support if we weren't forgoing that revenue?" Kulik said.

Kulik said he would like to see the program get more scrutiny and debate going forward.

"I think it merits a deeper look and deeper analysis than we've been able to give it in the past," Kulik said.

This year, as in past years, lawmakers have debated whether to make a sales tax permanent as well as whether to get rid of it altogether.

Tarr has advocated for making the sales tax holiday permanent, a call echoed by the fiscally conservative Massachusetts Fiscal Alliance. They argue that it is a way to provide consistency for businesses.

But other supporters of the sales tax do not want to create a permanent holiday. Wagner said he thinks lawmakers should review state finances each year and "make a determination as to whether or not at a particular moment in time it makes good policy sense."

Before the Massachusetts Senate adjourned on Wednesday, senators bowed their heads in a solemn moment of silence in memory of Marine Gunnery Sgt. Thomas J. Sullivan of Springfield, one of four Marines murdered by a gunman at a Naval reservist station in Tennessee.

BOSTON - Before the Massachusetts Senate adjourned after a long day of work on Wednesday, the senators bowed their heads in a solemn moment of silence in memory of Marine Gunnery Sgt. Thomas J. Sullivan of Springfield.

Thomas J. Sullivan

"Marine Gunnery Sgt. Sullivan is an American hero, and we will never forget him," said Sen. James Welch, D-West Springfield.

Sullivan was one of four Marines murdered by a gunman at a Naval reservist station in Chattanooga, Tennessee on July 16.

Sen. Eric Lesser, D-Longmeadow, recited the facts of Sullivan's life, as he and Welch made a motion to adjourn in Sullivan's memory.

Sullivan was 40 years old, born in Springfield on March 22, 1975. He was raised in East Forest Park by his parents, Jerry and Betty Sullivan. He attended Holy Cross Catholic School and Cathedral High School, earned a bachelor's degree in criminal justice and was working toward a master's degree. Sullivan spent 18 years in the Marine Corps and served two tours of duty in Iraq, earning a number of awards and commendations, including two Purple Hearts.

When the attack happened, Welch said, "He ran back towards gunfire to save wounded colleagues rather than getting himself to safety. He was a hero right to the end."

Gov. Charlie Baker, House Speaker Robert DeLeo, Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito, Attorney General Maura Healey and about a dozen legislators attended Wednesday's memorial service at the Paulist Center.

By COLIN A. YOUNG

BOSTON - The little girl whose remains were found last month in a trash bag on Deer Island is "a daughter of the commonwealth," the Rev. Rick Walsh said at a memorial Mass to honor the still-unidentified child.

Baby Doe 

Gov. Charlie Baker, House Speaker Robert DeLeo, Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito, Attorney General Maura Healey and about a dozen legislators attended Wednesday's memorial service at the Paulist Center.

A framed copy of the computer-generated image of the little girl with long brown hair and brown eyes greeted guests at the church's entrance.

DeLeo, whose district includes Deer Island, said his office organized the service.

"I think all of us are trying to find some solace and I think today we did do that," he said after the Mass. "One of the things that hit home with me today, is when you think about this child and you think this child is alone ... this child didn't die without family or anyone, she is the child of all of us."

During the service, Baker said the story of "Baby Doe" has bothered him and spoke about not knowing what the child's short life was like.

"Every time I see my daughter, I think about this little girl and the stories that must rest in the narrative of her birth and her time here on earth," Baker said. "And truthfully, the only thing I take any comfort in, because so much of that is unknown to this day, is that I do know she is in a better place. And an event like this gives us all an opportunity to take some comfort in that."

DeLeo, too, spoke about his daughter and the childhood she had that "Baby Doe" was deprived of.

"As I was going to a remembrance of (Baby Doe) at the site Saturday night, my daughter happened to call me and as I'm talking to her I'm just thinking about when she was four years old and the happy times running around the house or whatever it might be," he said. "And I have no idea about this girl, no one has any idea about this girl; what type of life she lived."

The case of "Baby Doe" has stumped law enforcement since her remains were found June 25 by a dog walker at the Deer Island water line. Investigators have acted on hundreds of leads in the case and have coordinated dozens of well-being checks on local children, but none have yet led to the child's identification, the Suffolk County district attorney's office said.

"Our little sister has not died in vain. Not having a name thus far, she has become an icon for all children," Father Walsh said. "If we never come to know her identity on a deeper level, she will always be the one whose silent body will remind us to get to know our neighbors."

Three University of Virginia graduates and members of a fraternity profiled in a debunked account of a gang rape in a retracted Rolling Stone magazine story filed a lawsuit against the publication and the article's author Wednesday, court records show.

RICHMOND, Va. -- Three University of Virginia graduates and members of a fraternity profiled in a debunked account of a gang rape in a retracted Rolling Stone magazine story filed a lawsuit against the publication and the article's author Wednesday, court records show.

The three men, George Elias IV, Stephen Hadford and Ross Fowler, filed suit U.S. District Court in New York. They are also suing Rolling Stone's publisher, Wenner Media.

A lawyer for the men said they suffered "vicious and hurtful attacks" because of inaccuracies in the November 2014 article, which was written by journalist Sabrina Rubin Erdely.

In their lawsuit, the three 2013 graduates said the article "created a simple and direct way to match the alleged attackers" from the alleged gang rape to them based on details provided in the story.

For instance, Elias' room at the fraternity house was "the mostly likely scene of the alleged crime" based on the details in the Rolling Stone article.

"Upon release of the article, family friends, acquaintances, co-workers and reporters easily matched (Elias) as one of the alleged attackers and, among other things, interrogated him, humiliated him, and scolded him," the lawsuit said, adding that Hadford and Fowler "suffered similar attacks."

In the lawsuit, their lawyer said each of their identities was listed online by anonymous users when the article first came out and each of their "names will forever be associated with the alleged gang rape."

"These claims had a devastating effect on each of the plaintiffs' reputations," their lawyer, Alan L. Frank, wrote in Wednesday's filing.

The men are suing on three counts, including defamation and negligent infliction of emotional distress, and are asking for at least $75,000 for each count.

Erdely and a spokeswoman for Wenner Media did not immediately return a request for comment Wednesday.

The Charlottesville Police Department has said it found no evidence to back the claims of the woman identified in the story only as "Jackie," who said she was raped in 2012 by seven men at the Phi Kappa Psi fraternity house.

A U.Va. associate dean sued Rolling Stone magazine for more than $7.5 million in May, saying a debunked and retracted account of an alleged gang rape on campus cast her as the "chief villain."

A report published by the Columbia Graduate School of Journalism earlier this year said Rolling Stone failed at virtually every step of the process, from the reporting by Erdely to an editing process that included high-ranking staffers.

No one at Rolling Stone was fired or disciplined as a result of the article, titled "A Rape on Campus." Rolling Stone managing editor Will Dana posted an apology on the publication's website, and Erdely also apologized in a statement.

The article roiled the U.Va. community, sparking protests at the Phi Kappa Psi fraternity house and a wrenching period of soul-searching by the university. For the three former students, the article made them unable to focus on school and work, and embarrassed them about their association with the fraternity.

Despite its flaws, the Rolling Stone article heightened scrutiny of campus sexual assaults amid a campaign by President Barack Obama. The University of Virginia had already been on the Department of Education's list of 55 colleges under investigation for their handling of sexual assault violations.

The article also prompted President Teresa Sullivan to temporarily suspend Greek social events. Fraternities later agreed to ban kegs, hire security workers and keep at least three fraternity members sober at each event.

___

Associated Press writer Alan Suderman wrote this report.

Deana Martin, daughter of famed singer Dean Martin, appeared at a benefit performance at the Heidelberg Room of the Student Prince and The Fort Restaurant on Wednesday evening. The proceeds benefited the Our Lady Of Mount Carmel Society of Enfield, Ct "We're very excited to host Deana Martin in the intimate setting of our Heidelberg Room," Managing Partner Andy Yee...

Deana Martin, daughter of famed singer Dean Martin, appeared at a benefit performance at the Heidelberg Room of the Student Prince and The Fort Restaurant on Wednesday evening. The proceeds benefited the Our Lady Of Mount Carmel Society of Enfield, Ct

"We're very excited to host Deana Martin in the intimate setting of our Heidelberg Room," Managing Partner Andy Yee said in a news release. "The audience will feel like they're in a private living room hearing these incredible firsthand stories about Dean Martin and the Rat Pack and watching their home movies."

Martin shared stories, home movies and took questions from the audience. A singer and actress, Martin is also the author of Memories Are Made Of This: Dean Martin Through His Daughter's Eyes.

Hamilton County Prosecutor Joe Deters announced the grand jury indictment at a news conference to discuss developments in the investigation into the July 19 shooting of 43-year-old motorist Samuel DuBose by officer Ray Tensing.

By LISA CORNWELL

CINCINNATI -- A University of Cincinnati officer who shot a motorist during a traffic stop over a missing front license plate was indicted Wednesday on a murder charge, with a prosecutor saying the officer "purposely killed him" and "should never have been a police officer."

Hamilton County Prosecutor Joe Deters announced the grand jury indictment at a news conference to discuss developments in the investigation into the July 19 shooting of 43-year-old motorist Samuel DuBose by officer Ray Tensing.

Authorities have said Tensing spotted a car driven by DuBose and missing the front license plate, which is required by Ohio law. They say Tensing stopped the car and a struggle ensued after DuBose refused to provide a driver's license and get out of the car.

Tensing, 25, has said he was dragged by the car and forced to shoot at DuBose. He fired once, striking DuBose in the head.

But Deters dismissed Tensing's claim that he was dragged by the car and suggested that he shouldn't have pulled DuBose over to begin with.

"He fell backward after he shot (DuBose) in the head," Deters said, adding that it was a "chicken crap" traffic stop.

On footage released from the body-camera video Wednesday, the officer could be heard asking for DuBose's driver's license several times with DuBose at one point saying he had one. Later, DuBose said, "But I don't think I have it on me."

Tensing asks DuBose to unbuckle his seat belt. About that time Tensing pulls on the door handle, and DuBose puts his hand on the door to keep it closed. Then the video becomes shaky, but a gunshot can be heard and DuBose appears to be slumped in the seat before the car rolls away, coming to stop at a nearby corner.

The University of Cincinnati said it fired Tensing after his indictment. Tensing turned himself in Wednesday afternoon at the Hamilton County Justice Center and was processed on charges of murder and voluntary manslaughter.

Tensing's attorney, Stewart Mathews, didn't return phone messages seeking comment after the indictment announcement.

Mathews said earlier Wednesday that he thought an indictment was likely "given the political climate" and comments made by city officials. But Mathews said given the evidence he's seen, he doesn't believe there should be an indictment.

DuBose's death comes amid months of national scrutiny of police dealings with African-Americans, especially those killed by officers. DuBose was black. Tensing is white. Authorities haven't indicated whether race was a part of the investigation.

Body-camera video of the shooting was also released Wednesday. DuBose's family had been pressing for its release, and news organizations including The Associated Press had sued Deters to get it released under Ohio open records law, but Deters released it before any ruling had been made.

Deters called the shooting "senseless" and "asinine."

"He purposely killed him," Deters said. "He should never have been a police officer."

The prosecutor also said he thought it was time to reconsider the UC police department's role.

"I don't think a university should be in the policing business," Deters said.

A message for comment was left Wednesday with the police department. The university said earlier this week it plans an independent review of its police department's policies.

The UC officer made the traffic stop near the university's main campus, and UC police have said the intersection was within the campus police's jurisdiction.

The University of Cincinnati on Wednesday closed its main campus in anticipation of grand jury action in the case.

Mark O'Mara, attorney for DuBose's family, called for a "peaceful and nonaggressive" response from the community after the officer's indictment. O'Mara said the family wanted a peaceful reaction because "Sam was a peaceful person."

Tensing has more than five years of experience in law enforcement and has worked as a University of Cincinnati police officer since April 2014, said Jason Goodrich, UC police chief. His annual performance review this April noted that he was extremely strong in the traffic area and maintains control of his weapons and of "situations he is involved in."

Tensing formerly worked as an officer in the small Cincinnati suburban village of Greenhills.

Deters said when he saw the video of the shooting, he was shocked.

"I feel so sorry for this family and what they lost," Deters said. "And I feel sorry for the community, too."

If convicted, Tensing could face up to life in prison.

AP writers Dan Sewell in Cincinnati and Kantele Franko and Mitch Stacy in Columbus contributed to this report.

Is this a civil rights issue? Did Smith cave to the Political Correctness Brigade? Does this have more to do with economics than gender identity?

NORTHAMPTON — In response to an op-ed piece in the Wall Street Journal criticizing the increasing number of women's colleges now accepting transgender students, Smith College President Kathleen McCartney fired back this week, framing the issue as a civil rights matter, not a money matter.

McCartney, in a letter to the venerable international daily – whose editorial pages and columns have traditionally embraced conservatism over other political schools of thought – stated:

Smith College's board of trustees made the decision to consider applications from transgender women because they are women and Smith is a women's college. Our decision reflects a concern for civil rights, not business; note that Smith had a 12 percent increase in applications this year. Smith and its peers remain excellent choices for women – all women.

McCartney was reacting to a recent op-ed column by Daniella J. Greenbaum.

"These institutions should resist the pressure to change their identities because people in the trans community have changed theirs," Greenbaum wrote in the WSJ piece.

"Beyond the political battlefield, though, is a practical business matter: Given the 80 percent decline in women's colleges over the past half-century, why undermine the only selling point you've got left?" Greenbaum said.

What do you think? Is this a civil rights issue? Did Smith cave to the Political Correctness Brigade? Does this have more to do with economics and sustainability than gender identity?

Add your two cents to the comments section below, if you're so inclined.

Here's a sampling of what some of your fellow readers of MassLive / The Republican have already said about this issue:

oat123: She (McCartney) is full of it. All colleges are like big business and will do anything to make money. BTW, does anybody know what her salary is per year?

jr413II: Good for Smith. I'm tired of people sticking their collective noses into business that isn't their own, never mind judging someone. Seriously sickening.

If one's actions (do) not hurt humans or any other animal on the planet, YOU SHOULD NOT CARE WHAT SOMEONE ELSE IS DOING. GROW UP.

MASS INERT: Is Smith going to take pre-op & post-op students? ... If a transitioning transgender man hasn't had reconstructive surgery, can the transgender man still be a student? (Can) a female student that self-identifies as a man but hasn't officially declared being a transgender man ... get thrown off campus for portraying a definition of a man?

LM2000: The rules of exclusion are getting more complicated every year.

Freesoul: False masculinity, no problem. Real masculinity, not allowed.

Paving work will take place from 7 a.m. until 6 p.m., according to East Longmeadow DPW Superintendent Bob Peirent.

EAST LONGMEADOW — A section of Mapleshade Avenue will be closed to through traffic for roadwork on Thursday, July 30, from 7 a.m. until 6 p.m., according to East Longmeadow DPW Superintendent Bob Peirent.

Paving work will take place along Mapleshade Avenue from Elm Street to Pleasant Street and Porter Road.

"Work on Mapleshade Avenue will be mostly complete by the end of tomorrow (Thursday), although some work will continue over the next week or two while loaming and seeding and driveway adjustments are being made," Peirent said in an email message.

After the work on Mapleshade is completed, prep work will begin on Hampden and Porter roads, both of which are likely to be repaved within a week to 10 days, according to the town's Facebook page.

10 restaurants in the Western Massachusetts area that host live music with outdoor dining.

Looking for places to enjoy live music as you dine outdoors this summer? There are options in the Western Massachusetts area to switch up the routine.

Here is a list of 10 area restaurants, in no particular order, that host live music with outdoor dining. 

Check out the links below for each restaurant's website to view their events sections, which provide calendars and other information.

1. Uno Pizzeria and Grille Summer Courtyard, Springfield - Uno's live music series takes place outdoors on their courtyard every night until Aug. 30, weather permitting. Live music is played by varying local artists on Sunday through Thursday from 6 to 10 p.m.; Friday through Saturday from 7 to 11 p.m.

2. Caminito Argentinean Steakhouse, Northampton - Cominito's features live acoustic Spanish guitar soloist, Alvaro Olvera Sanchez on Thursday through Saturday nights from 7 to 9 p.m. on their outdoor patio.

3. Luxe Burger Bar, Springfield - Luxe Burger Bar features live music outdoors on their patio Thursday through Saturday from 6 to 9 p.m. until Aug. 29, weather permitting.

4. The Munich Haus, Chicopee - The Biergarten Bands' live entertainment series at The Munich Haus takes place Wednesday and Thursday from  6-10 p.m. and on Friday through Sunday from 7 to 11 p.m. The music series features a number of different bands.

5. Slainte, Holyoke  - Live music can be enjoyed from Slainte's patio on Wednesday nights from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., and on Sundays from 3 to 6 p.m.

6. Chandler's Restaurant,  South Deerfield - In the Yankee Candle Village, Chandler's restaurant features a summer patio series with live music on Thursday evenings at 6 p.m.

7. The Summit View, Holyoke - A pavilion summer concert series is being held at the Summit View Banquet & Meeting House which features free, live concert music every Friday from 6:30 - 10 p.m. until Oct.r 9. There is no admission charge for the music, and they offer a BBQ buffet from 5:30 - 8:00 p.m., and a cash only bar.

8. The Shortstop Bar & Grille, Westfield - The Shortstop features live music on varying dates, usually occurring on  Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings. Check their website to see live music dates and times. On certain night's, former contestant of NBC's The Voice, Noah Lis, performs live.

9. Lattitude Restaurant, West Springfield - Live music can be enjoyed outdoors on the restaurant's patio on Friday and Saturday evenings, and on Sundays in the late afternoon to the evening. Times may vary, so the restaurant may be reached by telephone for details.

10. The Deck, Platform Sports Bar, Northampton - The Deck, an outdoor dining spot at the old Union Station, has their own summer concert series which takes place every Saturday and Sunday, from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Get out there and enjoy the summer while it lasts.

Miss any place? Please feel free to add your favorite outdoor dining and entertainment spot from the area in the comments section below.

Francis Bastardo-Reyes faces 13 charges, including five counts of armed assault with intent to murder - one for each of two sisters and each niece and nephew in the room.

SPRINGFIELD - Closing arguments are scheduled to be held Thursday morning in the trial of Francis Bastardo-Reyes, accused of firing five shots into a Holyoke apartment where two teens and three toddlers were sitting.

Jurors spent most of the day in the courthouse Wednesday for the trial, but heard little testimony.

The lawyers and Hampden Superior Court Judge Mark D. Mason had a lot to hash out outside of the jury's hearing.

What jurors did see and hear was a videotaped interview police did with Bastardo-Reyes after he was arrested.

In it, he vehemently denies any involvement in the shooting, in which there were no injuries, on Oct. 10 at about 7 p.m.

Bastardo-Reyes, 23, of Holyoke, instead told police the two older brothers of the family living in the 46 North Summer St. apartment that was shot at have problems with "a whole lot of other people."

Asked by an officer why the teenager who was in the apartment would say she looked out and saw Bastardo-Reyes putting a gun in his waistband, Bastardo-Reyes said "They've been trying to take me out of there."

Continuing to talk about his feelings about the older brothers Miguel Alvarez and Hector Alvarez, Bastardo-Reyes said, "I'm not going to waste my time shooting at your f---ing house."

He asked the officers who identified him as having a gun outside the apartment, and was told they couldn't tell him.

Bastardo-Reyes' voice got angry at that point.

One of the things that had to be worked out without the jury hearing related to Gladys Suero, the mother of Bastardo-Reyes children, who lived in another apartment nearby the crime scene.

Assistant District Attorney Max Bennett said she was given a subpoena by the prosecution to testify. He said she had been cooperative until Tuesday morning, the beginning of the trial, when she told a victim witness advocate Bastardo-Reyes told her not to testify.

Bennett said her statement to police and the prosecution did not indicate Bastardo-Reyes had anything to do with the shooting, but it did conflict with some things Bastardo-Reyes told police.

On Tuesday, Suero told Mason she was asserting her Fifth Amendment right not to testify.

Bennett then asked for a hearing for the judge to determine if he could have her statement to police read in court even though she refused to testify.

He said because of what Bastardo-Reyes told her in a jailhouse phone call Monday night about not testifying, her statement should be allowed into the trial and not considered hearsay.

Mason let her statement into the trial.

At the hearing, a call from Bastardo-Reyes to Suero was played. He could be heard saying to her: "It's better that you don't say nothing. Just plead the fifth," referring to a person's Fifth Amendment right not to testify against himself.

Defense lawyer Benjamin Farrell argued Bastardo-Reyes was just informing her of her right not to testify.

He said she told the defense investigator earlier than this week that she didn't want to testify.

Bastardo-Reyes faces 13 charges, including five counts of armed assault with intent to murder - one for each of the sisters and each niece and nephew in the room.

Boston will be the hottest place in the state today, with high temperatures hitting 91. Springfield could get up to 89 and Worcester up to 87.

The National Weather Services has issued a special weather outlook for all of Massachusetts, except Berkshire County, in anticipation of heavy afternoon showers and thunderstorms.

In the Springfield area, the storms are expected mainly between 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. The chance of precipitation is 80 percent.

Worcester and Boston may see storms after noon, but it's much less likely, at 30 percent.

Boston will be the hottest place in the state today, with high temperatures hitting 91. Springfield could get up to 89 and Worcester up to 87.

The car which sped away is a black Nissan Altima, police said.

WILBRAHAM — The driver of a car who sped away after being stopped by police is being sought on a warrant by Wilbraham police.

Police said Brandon Albano, 30, of Palmer, is wanted on a warrant for reckless operation, failing to stop for police and operating on a revoked license.

Patrolman Christopher Arventos stopped a black Nissan Altima because the operator allegedly had a revoked license.

As Arventos spoke to the driver, he put the vehicle in drive and sped away, police said.

After a short pursuit, the black Nissan Altima got away, according to police.

The incident happened July 24 at 12:16 a.m., police said.

U.S. Rep. James McGovern and six western Mass lawmakers asked FERC to slow down.

GREENFIELD -- Nearly 100 people delivered testimony on the potential environmental impacts of the proposed Northeast Energy Direct natural gas pipeline at a Federal Energy Regulatory Commission hearing Wednesday night where a crowd of around 600 packed into a sweltering Greenfield Middle School auditorium.

While most who spoke were critical of the 412-mile interstate pipeline plan, union construction workers went to bat for the project, saying it would bring jobs and economic development to the region.

The purpose of the July 29 scoping session was to help the commission determine the range of issues to include in its Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) on the pipeline. The EIS, required by federal law, will consider steps to "avoid, minimize or mitigate" impacts on the environment.

The commission is the permitting authority for interstate natural gas pipelines under the federal Natural Gas Act.

Northeast Energy Direct (NED) would deliver natural gas from the Marcellus region of Pennsylvania to markets in New England. The market path would travel from Wright, New York to a transmission hub in Dracut via western Massachusetts and a swath of southern New Hampshire. The pipeline is planned by Kinder Morgan subsidiary Tennessee Gas Pipeline Co.

Nearly every elected official who spoke, including selectboard members from a number of rural towns along the route, asked FERC for more time to submit input on the scope of the EIS. FERC has imposed an August 31 deadline for submitting formal comment on the scope of the environmental review.

Deerfield selectboard chairwoman Carolyn Ness was one of several to press FERC for a robust "no action" analysis, looking at ways to meet the region's energy needs without the pipeline.

Northfield administrator Brian Noble said the pipeline would pose a "significant threat to water supplies" in that town and should be routed away from the watershed. Northfield is where Kinder Morgan plans a large compressor.

Congressman James McGovern (D-2nd District), who could not be present, submitted a statement, read into the record by his district rep Keith Barnicle, asking FERC to extend the comment deadline past August 31 to "allow for greater exploration of alternatives to this project."

McGovern wrote that a comprehensive study of the electric reliability needs of the New England region through 2030, now being conducted by Atty. General Maura, is due in October and "will provide important information that deserves consideration with regard to the entirety of the NED project."

"As currently proposed, the NED project crosses miles of pristine land that has been protected by state and federal dollars," McGovern wrote. "It is my strong belief that if land has been protected from development in perpetuity by public dollars, it should be protected from the construction of a pipeline which would run directly through it."

A joint letter from six western Massachusetts legislators, including Senate President Stanley Rosenberg (D-Amherst), went one step further, and asked FERC to suspend the current environmental scoping process, withdraw a Notice of Intent that was issued on June 30, and start over.

It was only Friday, July 24 -- five days before the FERC scoping session -- that Kinder Morgan released its latest environmental resource reports for the Northeast Energy Direct project. "These documents are massive, with thousands of pages of highly technical and important environmental information," reads the lawmakers' letter. "In this short amount of time, it is simply impossible for citizens, organizations, and experts to properly analyze and comment on the environmental and economic impacts of this project."

The letter was signed by Rosenberg, Sen. Benjamin Downing (D-Pittsfield), Rep. Stephen Kulik (D-Worthington), Rep. Paul Mark (D-Peru), Rep. Gailanne Cariddi (D-North Adams), and Rep. Susannah Whipps-Lee (R-Athol).

A separate letter from Rep. Ellen Story (D-Amherst) expressing environmental concerns was also read into the record.

Kinder Morgan Vice President of Public Affairs Allen Fore, meeting with reporters, dismissed such concerns, noting that the first draft of environmental resource reports were released in March, giving affected parties plenty of time to respond.

"The biggest change in the revised resource reports issued Friday is that we are going with a 30-inch pipe instead of a 36-inch pipe," said Fore. "We'll be responding to data requests from FERC for the next two years."

Fore noted that Kinder Morgan is still in what's called the "pre-filing" process with FERC, and still has not filed a formal application with the federal agency for a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity. The company will file with FERC this fall, he said.

Fore also remarked that the Environmental Impact Statement process itself will allow for plenty of public input.

Wednesday night's FERC scoping session was held despite a request from Sen. Rosenberg last week that the meeting be postponed to allow members of the public more time to develop meaningful commentary on the environmental impacts of the proposed pipeline.

More than a dozen such scoping sessions are being held from July 14 to August 12 in Pennsylvania, New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire communities along the proposed pipeline route.

FERC hearing officer John V. Peconom said the Environmental Impact Statement will "take a hard look" at a range of issues, including water and air quality, wildlife, conservation land, and archaeological resources.

While Kinder Morgan anticipates that Northeast Energy Direct will be in commercial operation by 2018, many at Wednesday's hearing indicated that they would fight the project.

"This is not 'natural gas,' this is fracked gas," said Wendell Board of Health chairwoman Nina Keller. "This is a moral issue. It's not going to happen here."

Union laborers spoke in favor of the plan. Colton Adams, a field representative for the Holyoke-based Local 596, said the pipeline would create 2,500 to 3,000 jobs, and provide an opportunity to build a gas-fueled power plant at the former Mt. Tom Coal plant, which shut down late last year.

"Our electricity needs to come from somewhere," he told MassLive/The Republican. "We need to look to the future."

Mary Serreze can be reached at mserreze@gmail.com

If blue moons happened only once in a blue moon, we'd see a lot less of them.

If blue moons happened only once in a blue moon, we might see fewer of them.

Fortunately for us astronomy geeks, there are two ways to define a blue moon, and we've got one coming on Friday. The full moon of July 31, which occurs at 6:42 a.m. EDT, is the only blue moon of 2015, but there are plenty more coming in the next few years.

Friday's will be the second full moon of the month, and that makes it a blue moon under the "second full moon in a month with two full moons" definition for the astronomical phenomena.

The other, earlier, definition of a blue moon is the third full moon in an astronomical season with four full moons (normally there are three full moons in an astronomical season). Astronomical seasons are winter, spring, summer and fall, and begin and end with the equinoxes and solstices.

The next blue moon comes May 21, 2016, and it falls under the second definition. While we'll have to survive 2017 with no blue moons, we'll have nearly back-to-back second-of-the-month full moon blue moons on Jan. 31 and March 31, 2018. Then on May 18, 2019, it'll be a third full moon of four in a single astronomical season.

Timing of Friday's Blue Moon 2015

If you're on the East Coast, the moon will set just before reaching its full phase at 6:42 a.m. (moonset in Springfield, for example, is at at 5:56 a.m.). But not to worry, you'll be able to see the blue moon when the Earth's celestial partner rises again Friday night at 8:10. In all other time zones in the U.S., you can see the exact blue moon before it sets for the day in the early morning.

And the weather forecast for those of us in Western Massachusetts is very promising: clear skies are predicted for Friday.

Are blue moons blue?

The moon usually looks light gray. That's the plan for Friday, but volcanic eruptions can make the moon appear blue. According to NASA:

A truly-blue Moon usually requires a volcanic eruption. Back in 1883, for example, people saw blue moons almost every night after the Indonesian volcano Krakatoa exploded with the force of a 100-megaton nuclear bomb. Plumes of ash rose to the very top of Earth's atmosphere, and the Moon ... it turned blue!

Major forest fires also can cause the moon to appear blue. Again from NASA:

Forest fires can do the same trick. A famous example is the giant muskeg fire of Sept. 1953 in Alberta, Canada. Clouds of smoke containing micron-sized oil droplets produced lavender suns and blue Moons all the way from North America to England. At this time of year, summer wildfires often produce smoke with an abundance of micron-sized particles-just the right size to turn the Moon truly blue.

How did we get two definitions of a blue moon?

An amateur astronomer did it in the 1940s. James Hugh Pruett, in an article for Sky and Telescope magazine, made a miscalculation in citing the 1937 Maine Farmer's Almanac in an attempt to provide a simpler explanation of a blue moon, and came up with the notion that a blue moon simply was the second full moon in one month.

EarthSky.org has a good summary of how Pruett's article resulted in the definition that is more commonly used today.