Orlando Melendez is also charged with armed and masked robbery and larceny in Springfield case.

The exterior of the Hampden County Hall of Justice is seen Saturday night.Dwight B. Shepard / The Republican 

SPRINGFIELD - An 18-year-old Springfield man pleaded not guilty Tuesday at his arraignment for home invasion.

Orlando Melendez is charged with home invasion, armed and masked robbery and larceny in the amount of under $250.

According to court records the crimes happened July 13 in Springfield.

There are two victims listed in the case. One man is listed as the victim of home invasion and armed and masked robbery (with a knife) and a different man is listed as the larceny victim.

In the armed robbery case Melendez is charged with taking "cash/wallet/ID and debit cards."

In the larceny count Melendez is charged with taking cash and a debit card.

Hampden Superior Court Judge Edward J. McDonough set bail at $25,000 are requested by the prosecution.

Authorities identified the victim as 47-year-old Michael Petrick, a Wilbraham resident, but they didn't say if he owns the camp or what was taken.

WATERFORD, Vt. — A Wilbraham man was the victim of a burglary at a camp in Vermont's Northeast Kingdom, Vermont State Police officials at the St. Johnsbury barracks said Tuesday.

Between Oct. 10 and 11, a perpetrator, or perpetrators, are believed to have entered a camp on Hurlbut Hill Lane in Waterford, Vermont, where they stole multiple items, according to police.

Authorities identified the victim as 47-year-old Michael Petrick, a Wilbraham resident, but they didn't indicate if he owns the camp or what was taken.

The investigation is ongoing. Vermont State Police officials are asking anyone with information to call troopers at the St. Johnsbury barracks at 802-748-3111. Anonymous tips may also be made by calling Northeast Kingdom Crime Stoppers at 802-748-2222.

Mayor Michael McGlynn's office confirmed Tuesday that detective Stephen LeBert had left the police force.

MEDFORD -- A Medford police detective caught on video threatening to "put a hole" in a motorist's head has resigned.

Medford Mayor Michael McGlynn's office confirmed Tuesday that detective Stephen LeBert had left the police force. LeBert's attorney says it was a difficult decision for him.

LeBert was off duty and out of uniform on July 26 when he stopped a driver who had made a wrong turn into a rotary and almost collided with another vehicle.

A dashcam video later posted online shows LeBert telling the driver, "I'll put a hole right through your head." It shows him repeatedly using profanities even as the driver tries to apologize.

The detective had been on administrative leave since the outburst. His record included several prior disciplinary actions.

The video at the top of this post aired on WBZ-TV in Boston on July 27.

The Nov. 7 event is from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Indian Orchard American Legion Post at 377 Oak St., Indian Orchard, Springfield.

SPRINGFIELD — Vendors are wanted for the upcoming Holly Jolly 5th Annual Holiday Vendor/Craft Fair at the Indian Orchard American Legion Post at 377 Oak St. in the Indian Orchard section of Springfield.

The Nov. 7 event is from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and sponsored by Hampden County District 3 of The American Legion Auxiliary. Tables are $30 each.

Crafters and vendors interested in participating are asked to contact Maureen Cragen at moebdl@aol.com or Bonnie Roberts at nailsbonni@aol.com. Cragen may also be reached at 413-734-2897.

The message was Holyoke doesn't have a storm water runoff fee and none as yet is formally proposed. But it might be.

A follow up story about this event with additional detail will be published later this week.

HOLYOKE -- More than 50 people attended a meeting Tuesday to get clarity on sewer issues like the possibility of a storm water runoff fee in a reelection campaign event held by Mayor Alex B. Morse at the Ward 5 venue of the Pilsudski Club, 200 County Road.

The venue was key because Morse said Ward 5 is an area he felt residents have been misinformed by mayoral candidate Fran O'Connell that a storm water runoff fee was imminent if not already in place. But the truth is such a fee is only an option, he said.

"There is no stormwater fee and no order to implement one in front of the City Council," read a myth-busting sheet titled "Mayor Morse Sets the Record Straight" distributed at the meeting.

O'Connell, owner of the business O'Connell Care at Home, has said he did not tell anyone the fee already exists. But he said that despite Morse calling it only an option, Morse has proposed and supports imposition of such a fee, which O'Connell has called a tax.

Morse and O'Connell are competing in the Nov. 3 election.

Also discussed at the session that Morse referred to as a "town hall" meeting:

--the plight of homeowners in West Holyoke and other parts of the city who are on private sewer systems;

--the type of state legislation the city should pursue to help in claiming overdue sewer bills to gain revenue that -- like the possibility of a storm water runoff fee -- is being considered to plug a $1.3 million sewer fund deficit;

--the likelihood the city again will have to tap the free cash fund -- which Morse said he expects will total about $4 million -- to eliminate the sewer fund deficit, leaving less for other expenses;

--the possibility that such legislation might merge the sewer department with Holyoke Water Works and whether such a combining of departments would help or hurt the city;

--the $6.8 million-a-year contract the city has with the private company United Water to run the wastewater treatment plant on Berkshire Street;

--if a storm water runoff fee is imposed, what parts of a home or business owner's property would be taxed, as in, would it be only the hard surfaces like driveways and not permeable areas like backyards where water seeps in and doesn't run off?

"It's a complex issue," Morse said at a few points in the meeting.

Some residents who attended the meeting said the discussion helped them by clarifying points. Others disagreed.

Bruce Mitchell, who is running for the Ward 3 City Council seat, said a major benefit amid the discussion about various municipal funds and fees was the explanation that people whose homes the city has identified as having septic systems are not charged a sewer-use fee.

"That was a very important clarification," Mitchell said.

Paul Bluemer of Apremont Highway asked Morse about United Water and why, if it's a private company, its vehicles still have municipal license plates.

William D. Fuqua, general superintendent of the Department of Public Works, said the private company in some cases is still using city vehicles. Fuqua said he attended the meeting on his own anticipating that folks would have questions.

Bluemer asked whether, when the fleet is renewed, the new vehicles would belong to the city or United Water. Fuqua said they would be purchased by and belong to United Water.

John Counter of Mountain Road said it costs septic-system households such as his in West Holyoke thousands of dollars to install such facilities and $300 every three or four years to pump out the septic tank. He suggested to Morse the city consider helping such homeowners.

Counter said perhaps the city could arrange to establish a municipal septic-system pumping operation.

"I think it would be something worth entertaining," Counter said.

After it was noted that some West Holyoke residents because of the distance of their homes feel like the "forgotten few," Morse said he works to be responsive to all residents.

"As mayor, I don't like to hear that," Morse said.

Ward 5 Councilor Linda L. Vacon disagreed with Morse and said the impression is that the mayor has proposed a storm water runoff fee despite Morse saying such a step is only an option.

Also, Vacon told the gathering, the event at the Pilsudski Club was a Morse reelection campaign event. A municipal public hearing on the prospect of a storm water runoff fee will be held Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. at City Hall during a meeting of the City Council Finance Committee. That hearing was prompted by a petition signed by residents concerned about such a fee.

"This is a campaign stop for election," Vacon said.

Morse said before the event that it was organized and paid for by his reelection campaign and not the city. But the goal of the event was to help residents understand issues, he told the crowd.

"This is not about gamesmanship and gaining points. It's about the city," Morse said.

Charles Wimer of Keyes Road said a concern he had is which part of a homeowner's property would be subject to the charge, that is, would it be both hard and grassy surfaces, if the city imposes a storm water runoff fee.

Lori J. Belanger, of the city Board of Public Works, said the city has yet to reach the point of determining which properties' surfaces would be subject to such a fee.

"Next we'll be taxing the air that we breathe," Wimer said.

Regarding a storm water runoff fee, such a fee would be imposed to pay to manage the runoff -- water from rain and melting snow that runs off of roofs, roads, parking lots and other hard surfaces -- that filters into the municipal sewer system. The city wastewater treatment plant is on Berkshire Street.

When Morse recommended such a fee as an option, in a letter to the City Council accompanying his proposed new budget in May, Morse and Chief of Staff Rory Casey said such a fee on home owners would be about $50 a year and on business property owners $100 to $1,000 a year.

A law enforcement official close to the investigation said that the issue centers on whether prosecutors should be allowed to have access to Hernandez's cell phone.

By DENISE LAVOIE

BOSTON -- A judge Tuesday agreed to postpone the double murder trial of former New England Patriots player Aaron Hernandez while prosecutors try to get their hands on evidence now held by a law firm that previously represented him.

The trial in the 2012 killings of two Boston men was scheduled to begin Dec. 1. Judge Jeffrey Locke moved the start date to Jan. 19 after holding a lengthy closed-door hearing.

Neither side nor the judge would say what that evidence is. But Locke did say it relates to a defendant's right to seek confidential legal advice from a lawyer.

A law enforcement official close to the investigation told The Associated Press that the issue centers on whether prosecutors should be allowed to have access to Hernandez's cellphone. The official was not authorized to release details and spoke on condition of anonymity.

Hernandez, who was in court Tuesday, gave the cellphone to one of his lawyers in June 2013.

Hernandez was convicted this year in the June 2013 killing of Odin Lloyd, who was dating the sister of Hernandez's fiancee. He is serving a life sentence.

Locke said in open court that prosecutors are seeking access to evidence they say is necessary for the criminal case against Hernandez. The judge said he closed the hearing to the public because the issues discussed could touch on Hernandez's Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination and his Sixth Amendment right to a fair trial.

The judge said the issue is also related to the right of someone to seek confidential legal advice and services.

Locke did not immediately rule on the request from prosecutors but said he expects to issue his decision within two weeks.

Charles Rankin, one of Hernandez's attorneys, told the judge that no matter which way he rules, the losing side is likely to appeal the ruling to the Supreme Judicial Court, which will inevitably delay the start of the trial.

Locke set the new date for January, saying the trial could be further delayed if the appeal is still pending before the high court.

Prosecutors say Hernandez fatally shot Safiro Furtado and Daniel de Abreu in July 2012 after a chance encounter at a Boston nightclub. Hernandez has pleaded not guilty.

Springfield Fire Department spokesman Dennis Leger said there were no injuries in the fire, which was reported shortly after 9 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 13.

SPRINGFIELD — Two people were displaced by a kitchen fire that broke out Tuesday night at a home in the city's Boston Road neighborhood, said Dennis Leger, executive aide to Springfield Fire Commissioner Joseph Conant.

Crews responded to a 9:08 p.m. call at 31 Hiram Ave., a ranch-style home between Frederic and Hamilton streets. There were no reported injuries in the fire, which cause about $10,000 to $15,000 worth of damage to the house, Leger said.

The residents told authorities they would stay with nearby relatives.

The public event is from 4 to 7 p.m. at Thornton W. Burgess Middle School, 85 Wilbraham Road.

HAMPDEN — The Police Department's annual Public Safety Night Out was supposed to be held last Friday, Oct. 9, at Thornton W. Burgess Middle School. But Mother Nature got in the way, prompting authorities to cancel the family event.

The new time for the event is this Friday, Oct. 16, from 4 to 7 p.m. at the school at 85 Wilbraham Road.

In attendance will be representatives from local law enforcement agencies, LifeFlight, the Hampden Fire Department, the Massachusetts Environmental Police, the Hampden County Sheriff's Department and more.

There will also be antique cars on display, food from Gio's Pizzeria and the Village Food Mart, and free popcorn and ice cream while supplies last, according to Hampden Police Officer William E. Jacques.

"This event is a great opportunity for the public to meet public safety personnel and view different vehicles," Jacques said in a press release.

Hillary Rodham Clinton and Sen. Bernie Sanders clashed over U.S. involvement in the Middle East, gun control and economic policy in the first Democratic presidential debate Tuesday night, vigorously outlining competing visions for a party seeking to keep the White House for a third straight term.

LAS VEGAS -- Hillary Rodham Clinton and Sen. Bernie Sanders clashed over U.S. involvement in the Middle East, gun control and economic policy in the first Democratic presidential debate Tuesday night, vigorously outlining competing visions for a party seeking to keep the White House for a third straight term.

Yet in a moment of political unity -- and levity -- Sanders leapt to Clinton's defense on the issue of her controversial email practices as secretary of state.

"The American people are sick and tired of hearing about your damn emails," Sanders exclaimed as the crowd in Las Vegas roared with applause. A smiling Clinton reached over to shake his hand and said, "Thank you."

While the five candidates onstage took issue with each other, they also repeatedly sounded traditional Democratic themes -- such as fighting income inequality -- that are sure to carry over to the general election campaign against the Republicans. And they sought to cast the GOP as a party focused on sowing division and denigrating minorities and women.

Before they face the Republicans, the Democrats must choose their own candidate. And throughout most of the two-hour debate Clinton played the role of aggressor, an unexpected shift for a candidate who had barely mentioned her Democratic rivals since launching her campaign six months ago. Until Tuesday night, Clinton and Sanders -- who has surprisingly emerged as her toughest competition -- had circled each other cautiously and avoided direct attacks.

After Sanders, a self-described democratic socialist, derided "a casino capitalist process by which so few have so much," Clinton said it would be a "big mistake" for the U.S. to turn its back on the system that built the American middle class. Asked whether she thought Sanders, who has a mixed record on gun control legislation, had been tough enough on the issue, she said simply," No, I do not."

Sanders is drawing big crowds on the campaign trail and challenging Clinton's fundraising prowess, but he's largely unknown to many Americans. The debate offered him a high-profile opportunity to cast himself as an electable alternative to Clinton and appeal for support beyond his liberal base.

Sanders has sought in particular to distinguish himself from Clinton over foreign policy, an issue where she is often more hawkish than others in the Democratic Party. The former secretary of state reiterated her call for more robust U.S. action to stop the Syrian civil war and defended her judgment on international issues, despite having voted for the 2003 invasion of Iraq.

Sanders called the Iraq war "the worst foreign policy blunder in the history of our country" and said he would not support sending American combat troops back to the Middle East to fight terrorism.

"Nobody does, Senator Sanders," Clinton interjected.

The only woman on stage, Clinton also highlighted the prospect of becoming the nation's first female president multiple times. When asked how her administration would differ from President Barack Obama's, she said with a smile, "Being the first woman president would be quite a change."

Clinton's confident performance was likely to ease anxiety among supporters who have questioned her campaign's handling of the email controversy. One question still to be answered: how her showing will affect Vice President Joe Biden's decision about making a late entry into the Democratic race.

Biden has been deliberating about his political future for months and is expected to announce a decision within days. Debate host CNN kept an extra podium on standby in case he decided to show up, but the vice president instead stayed in Washington, where he was watching the debate at his residence. He was not mentioned during the two-hour debate.

Even with the swirling Biden speculation and Clinton's email controversy, the Democratic contest has largely been overshadowed by the Republican primary, where more than a dozen candidates are fighting to overtake billionaire Donald Trump. The real estate mogul still made his presence known Tuesday night, sending a torrent of Twitter commentary on the Democrats' performances.

"Sorry, there is no STAR on the stage tonight!" he wrote.

While the Republican primary has been roiled by the emotional debate over immigration, the Democratic candidates were largely united in their call for providing a path to legal status for the millions of people currently in the U.S. illegally. The party is counting on general election support from Hispanics, a group that overwhelmingly voted for Obama in 2012

Joining Clinton and Sanders on stage in Las Vegas was a trio of low-polling candidates looking for a breakthrough moment: former Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley; Jim Webb, a former Navy secretary and U.S. senator from Virginia, and Lincoln Chafee, the Republican-turned independent-turned Democrat from Rhode Island.

For Clinton, the debate was a much-needed opportunity to focus on policy in addition to the controversy over her exclusive use of personal email and a private Internet server during her tenure in the Obama administration. The email issue has shadowed her rollout of numerous policy positions and has hurt her standing with voters.

Clinton said her email use "wasn't the best choice" and cast the issue as a politically motivated effort by Republicans to drive down her poll numbers. She highlighted comments from Rep. Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., who bragged about how a House committee investigating Clinton's role in the 2012 attacks in Benghazi, Libya, had hurt her politically.

"I am still standing," she said.

The only candidate on stage who challenged Clinton on her email practices was Chafee, who said "credibility is an issue."

The former secretary of state has also faced criticism that she's shifted her positions on trade, gay marriage and other issues to match the mood of voters -- a charge she denied Tuesday.

"Like most human beings, I do absorb new information, I do look at what's happening in the world," Clinton said. Pressed specifically on her newly announced opposition to a Pacific Rim trade deal she touted while serving in the Obama administration, Clinton said she had hoped to support it but ultimately decided it did not meet her standards.

Concord police officers Ron Holsinger and Robert Capone came up with the idea. Now they and other officers in this Middlesex County town will be issuing good citations to citizens, according to police Chief Joseph O'Connor.

CONCORD — The Concord Police Department has begun issuing "citations for good behavior" as a way to connect with the community in a positive way, according to Police Chief Joseph O'Connor.

Concord police officers Ron Holsinger and Robert Capone came up with the idea. Now they and other officers in this Middlesex County town northwest of Boston will be issuing good citations to up to 200 people, O'Connor said.

Through a donation from Wade Rubinstein, owner of Reasons to be Cheerful, an ice cream parlor and dessert cafe, citation recipients will be entitled to two free scoops of ice cream from the business at 110 Commonwealth Ave. in West Concord.

"Reasons to be Cheerful and Wade Rubinstein are committed to making a positive difference in our community, and we are appreciative that they have partnered with us," O'Connor said. "This unique and lighthearted initiative fits perfectly with our department's goal to provide exceptional service all of the time."

Here are a few examples of the sort of behavior worthy of a citation:

• wearing bicycle helmets;


• holding a parent's hand when crossing streets;


• wearing seat belts;


• yielding to pedestrians in crosswalks;


• looking both ways before crossing streets;


• and crossing at crosswalks with the light, among many other good moves.

Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., and other Democratic presidential hopefuls went head-to-head for the first time of the 2016 election season Tuesday evening in a CNN-hosted debate at Wynn Las Vegas

SPRINGFIELD ‒ Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., and other Democratic presidential hopefuls went head-to-head for the first time of the 2016 election season Tuesday evening in a CNN-hosted debate at Wynn Las Vegas.

The 8:30 p.m. debate, which also featured former Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley, former Virginia Sen. Jim Webb and former Rhode Island Gov. Lincoln Chafee, touched on topics including: income inequality, campaign finance and gun violence, among other things.

Here are five takeaways from the prime time event:

Clinton argued that Sanders isn't tough enough on the issue of addressing gun violence.

The former first lady criticized the Vermont senator's record on gun control legislation, saying he voted against the so-called Brady Act, which mandated waiting periods on gun purchases for criminal background checks, and supported an immunity provision for the industry.

Sanders defended his vote, saying the legislation was "large and complicated," and added that he supports background checks and closing the so-called gun show loophole, as well as enhanced mental health care. He added that shouting about the issue won't solve it.

Sanders agreed with Clinton that the American people are "sick and tired of hearing" about her email scandal. Chafee said it's important to restore American credibility.

The Vermont senator said instead of focusing on things like the private email server Clinton used as secretary of state, he believed voters want to hear more about how the presidential candidates would address issues like income inequality and strengthening the middle class.

Clinton, who thanked her Democratic opponent for his support on the topic, called the email server a mistake, adding that she's answered questions on it and will do so again.

Chafee, however, argued that credibility is an issue that must be addressed, saying the next president needs to be held to the best and most ethical standards.

Democratic candidates varied on whether former CIA employee Edward Snowden, who leaked classified information on the National Security Agency, should be punished or celebrated.

Chafee said he would bring Snowden home, arguing that the federal courts have ruled that the American government was acting illegally.

Clinton, meanwhile, contended that Snowden broke the law and stole important information that has since fallen into the wrong hands.

"I don't think he should be brought home without facing the music," she said.

O'Malley argued that "whistleblowers don't run to Russia and try to get protection from Putin."

Sanders took a more nuanced view, saying while Snowden played an important role in educating the American people, he broke the law and should face some penalty.

Webb said he would leave judgement on Snowden's fate to the legal system.

Sanders said he would support efforts to legalize recreational marijuana. Clinton said she'd like to see more research before taking a position.

The Vermont senator said he suspects he would vote in favor of efforts to legalize recreational marijuana, contending that too many lives are being destroyed due to non-violent drug-related offenses.

"I think we need to think through this war on drugs, which has done an enormous amount of damage," he said.

Clinton said she's still yet to take a position on legalizing the drug for recreational use, arguing that the country has the opportunity to continuing learning from states that are pursuing such policies. She, however, said she supports medical marijuana and agrees with Sanders that the country needs to stop imprisoning people who use the drug.

Democratic candidates took aim at Republican 2016 presidential contenders.

Throughout the debate the Democratic candidates took jabs at their Republican opponents, contending that the two-hour-plus-long event differed greatly from the first two GOP debates.

Responding to criticism on the issue of paid family medical leave, Clinton attributed arguments against the policy to "Republican scare tactics," saying the GOP doesn't mind having government interfere on issues like a woman's right to choose.

When asked about her biggest political enemy, Clinton further joked that it would likely be the Republican party.

O'Malley, meanwhile, likened Republican presidential frontrunner Donald Trump to a "carnival barker." During his closing remarks he argued that unlike in the GOP debates, the Democratic candidates didn't make racist comments about immigrants, speak ill of a person's religious beliefs or denigrate women.

The crash happened shortly before 10:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 13, prompting lane closures near Exit 7 on the MassPike.

LUDLOW — A multivehicle crash caused injuries and delays along a stretch of the Massachusetts Turnpike in Ludlow late Tuesday night.

The accident happened shortly before 10:30 p.m., when an eastbound car crashed and jumped the median, according to Western Mass News, TV partner of MassLive/The Republican.

At least four vehicles were impacted by the crash, prompting lane closures near Exit 7. All lanes had reopened by 11:10 p.m., Western Mass News reports.

There was no immediate word on how many people were hurt or the extent of their injuries.

Sarno said conversations have begun with the ownership of the Pawtucket Red Sox International League baseball team, a minor league affiliate of the Boston Red Sox, about if there might be an interest in moving the team to Springfield, possibly in the North End.

(The story was updated at 4:40 p.m.)

SPRINGFIELD — Mayor Domenic J. Sarno said Tuesday that conversations have begun with the ownership of the Pawtucket Red Sox regarding if there might be an interest in moving the Triple-A baseball team to Springfield, possibly in the North End.

John Suchocki, The Republican 

The initial discussions were revealed by Sarno during a meeting between the mayor and the Editorial Board of The Republican.

"I think people are hungry for it," Sarno said, of the opportunity for the PawSox team. "Right now, they really don't have a home, and we would love to be that home. It's got to be a good financial deal, logistics have to make sense (and) the private investment."

The Pawtucket Red Sox, the Triple-A affiliate of the Boston Red Sox, is searching for a new home and recently ended their effort to pursue a waterfront location for a new stadium proposed in downtown Providence, Rhode Island, according to published reports.

Sarno, during Tuesday's meeting with The Republican and MassLive editors and reporters, said he could see a Triple-A Red Sox stadium becoming an anchor in the North End, and the MGM Springfield casino project being the anchor in the South End, with a redeveloped Union Station in between the two projects.

"We are having conversations and we are looking to formalize it a bit more," Sarno said. But they know as we did with the entertainment gaming thing, we rolled out the red carpet and we went after the competition and said we are open for business."

Such a baseball stadium would have to make sense financially and logistically, Sarno said. Asked if it might involve local tax dollars, Sarno said he would have to evaluate the private investment proposed, and potential state and federal assistance.

Sarno said he has spoken to PawSox co-owner Larry Lucchino and Boston Red Sox Chief Operating Officer Sam Kennedy.

A Triple-A stadium would have to be able to accommodate 11,000 spectators, he said.

Springfield had tried to bring professional baseball back to Springfield in the 1990s, but a proposed stadium at the Northgate Plaza failed in 2000 when Superior Court Judge Constance M. Sweeney ruled the land taking was not valid under former Mayor Michael J. Albano.

Sarno turned up the love for the PawSox at a recent appearance at a Boston Globe awards event.

Sarno took the stage on Oct. 6, at the House of Blues in Boston to accept a Globie award on behalf of Springfield being named "best comeback city." He used the opportunity to send a message to Lucchino, who also was in attendance.

According to Springfield City Hall communications director James Leydon, who attended the event, Sarno told Lucchino from the stage that Springfield could "show a lot of love" to the Pawtucket Red Sox.

MGM Springfield plays a big role, Sarno said Tuesday, of the baseball effort.

"Done the right way, who would not want to have Triple-A home state, home town Red Sox franchise, 90 miles down the road, the stars of the future going there ?" Sarno said Tuesday. "So I had face to face conversations with Mr. Lucchino and very, very good conversations with Sam Kennedy."

Springfield had a history of professional baseball here for many decades, with the Springfield Giants becoming the last to play here in 1965 at Pynchon Park.

The Colony Club, now in Tower Square, was established in 1915 in what had been the Wesson Mansion on Maple Street in Springfield, the former home of Daniel B. Wesson, one of the founders of Smith & Wesson.

SPRINGFIELD -- Stockbroker Mark W. Teed, the incoming 2016 president of the Colony Club, snapped his fingers in exaggerated disappointment recently when he learned that the Secret Service nixed President Ronald Reagan's plans to dine at the club during Reagan's 1988 visit to Springfield.

"Reagan would have been president number seven," Teed said. "So close."

Six U.S. presidents have dined at the Colony Club since its founding, a part of its 100-year-history club members will celebrate Saturday with a gala.

The Colony Club was founded in 1915 with the purchase of the former home of Daniel B. Wesson on Maple Street. That home, a grand French-style chateau which took a decade to build at a cost of $1 million, burned in 1966.

Today, the club offers dining and entertainment from new quarters on the sixth floor of Tower Square, formerly Baystate West, the office tower and retail mall on Main Street.

The centennial comes at a time when the 300-member club is hoping to add members and build its numbers back up to 400, Teed said.

Undated photo of the Colony Club on Maple Street in Springfield, the former home of Daniel B. Wesson, co-founder of the Smith & Wesson gun manufacturing company. 

Members must be invited to join and the cost is about $300 a month for dues, fees, food and beverages. Philip Duda, the current president, explained how there are different memberships available for retirees or people who no longer live in the area.

It's a challenge, Duda said. The club is less busy now than it has been in the past. Members are older, more apt to come downtown for lunch than for dinner.

There is construction on Interstate 91 to contend with as well.

Changes in the Springfield economy haven't helped either.

"The banks and the auditors killed us," Teed said. "When the auditors moved from downtown and all the banks started merging and moving their headquarters, it killed us."

Duda chimed in:

"2008 killed us," he said. "When the economy turned south, everyone started looking hard at their spending. It's starting to come back now."

It's not the first time the economy has dealt the Colony Club a blow. Duda explained that the club suspended operations for about a year after the 1929 stock market crash as it adjusted to the Great Depression.

Teed said the strategy for gaining members is to simply show off the club to more people.

"No one knows we are here," Teed said. "It's a beautiful space. Once you see the club, you want to be a part of it. We just need more people to see it."

A city club like the Colony Club is unusual in Western Massachusetts, he said. It's quiet, private and gives people a chance to socialize.

"Where else can I, a stockbroker, have lunch with a brain surgeon," he said. "I just wouldn't get that opportunity."

It's also a place to do business away from prying eyes.

"This is a place where things get done," he said.

An elevator brings visitors to the club from either the parking deck or from Tower Square's retail mall. No floor number needed, just hit the button marked Colony Club.

Upstairs, everyone is greeted at the elevator, often by Heidi Edwards, club manager and member liaison. There is a main dining room, a tavern room and several meeting rooms. The carpet in the main room comes up to reveal a dance floor for weddings.

Executive Chef Scott Sarrasin has been at the club for 30 years after working in hotels and restaurants. He says cooking for a relatively small base of members allows him to focus on quality and fresh ingredients.

The club's famous Dover Sole is its most popular dish, as are its almond macaroon cookies.

Sarrasin told of important guests, and it was he who told Teed of the near-get with Reagan.

The presidents who have visited were: William Howard Taft; Theodore and Franklin Roosevelt, at the same event in 1918 (Teddy having already served as president, Franklin still 15 years away); Herbert Hoover; Northampton's Calvin Coolidge, who memorably attended an Amherst Coolidge reunion at the club soon after being nominated to the vice presidency; and then-Congressman from Massachusetts John F. Kennedy.

The club displays a guest registry from 1918 with both Roosevelts' signatures. Franklin listed his occupation as Assistant Secretary of the Navy. His cousin, the former president, listed simply "Oyster Bay, N.Y."

That was at the old clubhouse on Maple Street.

That was the Colony Club that former realtor Scott Stearns joined in 1957. He's now the longest-serving member.

"It was something," he said. "I don't think there are too many people now who belong to the Colony Club ever stepped foot in that building."

He recalled a long table set up on the porch for lunch and the separate men's lounge and ladies dining room.

He said lunches used to cost 99 cents because raising the price to $1 meant imposing a meals tax.

But those were different days when many of the city's business executives - such as the owners of Forbes & Wallace and Steiger's department stores - would think nothing of walking up to the clubhouse on nice days.

"I don't the Colony Club would still exist if it weren't for the fire," he said. "I think there is a future. It depends on the membership. It depends on what people want."

Martinez's probation officer also chimed in, saying that his "record is littered with all types of larceny offenses."

SPRINGFIELD - When it comes to crime, Izzy Junior Martinez seems to be something of a specialist.

In addition to racking up three larceny arrests in the past two years, the 19-year-old has 14 larceny-related charges on his juvenile record, a prosecutor said Wednesday.

In the latest case, Martinez and an accomplice allegedly stole purses, watches, cell phones, laptop and tablet computers and other items during a vehicle break-in spree early Wednesday in Longmeadow.

When police spotted them, the pair fled in a 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier, which also was stolen; following a chase, they abandoned the car, with Martinez running through a wooded area where he was captured, covered in mud, by a K-9 unit, police said.

The second suspect, identified in court as Martinez's cousin, is being sought in connection with the thefts, Longmeadow police said.

During his arraignment in Springfield District Court Wednesday, Martinez was dressed in the same "Freedom" T-Shirt visible in his mug shot.

Just last month, Martinez was given a six-month suspended sentence and placed on probation in a 2014 larceny case, according to Assistant District Attorney Cary Szafranski.

In addition, Martinez is awaiting trial on multiple counts of larceny and breaking and entering from a highly-publicized arrest in May.

As a juvenile, Martinez piled up 14 larceny-related cases, according to Szafranski, who said his repeat offender status warranted $50,000 cash bail.

Martinez's probation officer also chimed in, saying that his "record is littered with all types of larceny offenses."

But defense lawyer James Martin said there was no proof that his client participated in the break-ins Wednesday morning or even realized the car was stolen.

Martin suggested that Martinez's cousin stole the car, then picked up his client. As far as Martinez knew, he was "just riding in his cousin's car," the lawyer said.

No stolen items or burglary tools were found on his client, Martin said.

At the prosecutor's request, Judge Matthew Shea revoked Martinez's bail in the open case and ordered him held for a probation violation hearing in the 2014 case.

The judge also set bail at $25,000, instead of the $1,000 figure requested by Martin.

He also continued the new case to Oct. 22, when Martinez is also scheduled for a pretrial hearing on his pending larceny charges.

Everyone seems to agree it's a good idea to find a way to force delinquents to pay Holyoke sewer bills.

HOLYOKE -- They came with protests, but also with ideas.

About 20 people attended a public hearing at City Hall Wednesday to oppose the possible imposition of a storm water runoff fee.

Some residents like Nicole Roy of Mountain Road were, in fact, lured by concerns about the burden of another fee.

Roy questioned why city officials let a deficit occur -- such as the $1.3 million shortfall in the sewer fund that has prompted consideration of a storm water runoff fee -- when households are unable to spend more than a budgeted amount

"We don't spend what we don't have....you spend more than what you have, so you keep raising taxes?" Roy said.

A storm water runoff fee doesn't exist here and is not even at the stage where an order is before the City Council to consider adopting.

But discussion of such a fee as an option to raise revenue to address the sewer fund deficit prompted the hearing -- which was requested by a petition signed by dozens of residents -- held by the City Council Finance Committee.

Such a fee would be imposed to pay to manage the runoff, which is water from rain and melting snow that runs off of roofs, roads, parking lots and other hard surfaces and filters into the municipal sewer system. The city wastewater treatment plant is on Berkshire Street.

Home owners would pay about $50 a year and business owners $100 to $1,000 a year under such a fee, officials have estimated.

The possibility of a storm water runoff fee is an issue in the campaign for mayor. Mayor Alex B. Morse has recommended the fee as an option the City Council should consider.

Mayoral candidate Fran O'Connell, who owns the business O'Connell Care at Home, has criticized Morse on that step. O'Connell said other steps like doing more to claim overdue sewer bills should be taken instead of imposing a storm water fee, which he called a tax.

John Counter, of Mountain Road, suggested the city help homeowners like himself who are not connected to the municipal sewer system. Perhaps that could occur by allowing for disposal at the city wastewater treatment plant of the pumped-out discharges from homeowners' septic systems for a lower fee than private companies charge, he said.

"Let's get creative in a more creative way," Counter said.

Councilor at Large Howard B. Greaney Jr. discussed the possibility of filing an order to study Counter's idea.

Adrian Dahlin, of Keefe Avenue, a candidate for City Council at large, said the city should explore saving money in management of storm water runoff by considering installation of permeable streets and sidewalks to let more of the water seep into the ground.

Paul Bluemer, of Apremont Highway, said maybe the city should try to renegotiate its contract with the private company that runs the wastewater treatment plant, United Water, to get a better deal. The city pays United Water $6.8 million a year.

Jourdain said only the mayor under the city charter has authority to make contracts.

Lorraine Gorham, of Jarvis Avenue, said she agreed with the City Council's pursuit of authority from the state Legislature to deal with the overdue sewer bills that comprise part of the deficit.

Such authority would give the city leverage in the form of power to shut off the water service for nonpayment of the sewer portion of the bill.

Officials have said about $700,000 exists in outstanding bills, a delinquency several people at the hearing said was unfair to those who pay bills on time.

Gorham questioned why state Rep. Aaron M. Vega, D-Holyoke, hasn't pushed harder on the home rule petition the City Council began seeking in 2013 to gain such water-shut-off authority.

"Everybody here should be seeing that this is done," Gorham said.

Vega has said that the House of Representatives' legal staff have questioned the home rule petition the City Council seeks. The City Council's plan would allow for a combining of the billing for water and sewer services without merging those two departments. The sticking point among state officials is how the city could combine two different departments' billing and not combine the actual departments, he said.

State officials instead have recommended the city adopt state law Chapter 40N to merge the water and sewer departments and permit pursuit billing that way, he said.

"First, the legislature does not rubber stamp special acts," Vega said. "That may be frustrating to local officials, but it's the truth.

"Second, the (House) committee on Third Reading is the committee where bills get a final review from legal counsel. Some councilors were assuming that review already took place. They were wrong. At this point House counsel does have concerns and those concerns have been communicated to the City Council on numerous occasions. There are no politics at play here," he said.

But Chapter 40N is a minefield for the city, council President Kevin A. Jourdain said.

The council's home rule petition doesn't request authority to merge the billing of the water and sewer services. Holyokers long have received combined billing, with sewer and water charges coming in one envelope, for years, he said.

A problem with the merger outlined in Chapter 40N is that while Holyoke Water Works is well run, the sewer department has deficits, he said.

Another concern is that adopting Chapter 40N would merge the water and sewer departments under the control of the mayor. That would eliminate a checks-and-balances step because currently the City Council appoints the three-member Water Commission that oversees Holyoke Water Works, he said.

Morse, who spoke at the hearing, said combining the water and sewer departments would be more efficient and he was agreeable to letting the City Council be the appointing authority.

Jourdain said another problem with Chapter 40N is it would remove the authority to borrow money for water and sewer services and projects from the City Council -- the residents' elected representatives, he reiterated -- and give that power to a commission that would govern the merged departments.

Further, he said, the city has received no document from the House legal counsel about the home rule petition concerns and he has been thwarted in attempts to speak directly to such lawyers.

"And we're getting every excuse under the sun," Jourdain said.

The City Council Oct. 6 approved an order calling on legislators who represent Holyoke on Beacon Hill to push forward on the water-shut-off home rule petition regarding overdue sewer bills.

Morse as of Wednesday hadn't signed that City Council order. But in response to questions during the hearing from Finance Committee member Linda L. Vacon, Morse said he would sign it, though noting the council can contact legislators without the mayor signing an order.

True, said Vacon, but a united front of the mayor and City Council on such a measure would be helpful.

Morse said he and councilors share the desire to give the city authority to force delinquents to pay sewer bills.

"Believe me, I would welcome the news of being able to shut off the water" to such customers, Morse said.

Clement Roy, of Mountain Road, said more of the 15-member City Council should have attended the important public hearing.

"Where is everybody? All the councilors? We vote for these guys to run the city and they don't show up," Roy said.

Finance Committee Chairman Todd A. McGee said some councilors had other commitments.

Councilors thanked residents for prompting and attending the hearing.

"I applaud the people who went out and organized and brought this to the City Council," Vacon said.

Laflamme said he plans to work on bringing broadband internet to the city and finding solutions to closing the landfill.

CHICOPEE - Frank N. Laflamme, of 25 Baril Lane, has announced his re-election campaign for City Councilor At-Large.

Laflamme has been a member of the City Council since 2010, has been a Chicopee homeowner for 38 years and is a lifelong city resident. He is employed by MassMutual Financial Group, in Springfield, and holds three Massachusetts State Licenses.

"I am excited to announce my re-election campaign for Councilor At-Large," Laflamme said. "In the last two years we have made great progress in improving the City. We are all working together in an effort to build a better Chicopee."

He is one of six people running for the four at-large seats. The new candidates are W. Kaween Fernando and Douglas Girouard and incumbents are James K. Tillotson, Robert J. Zygarowski and Gerard (Jerry) Roy.

Laflamme said he has a strong record as a Councilor. In his six years on the board, he has never missed a meeting. Laflamme also serves on nine Council subcommittees: Finance, Ordinance, License, Zoning, Public Works, Claims and Accounts, Chair of Recreation, Vice Chair of Public Safety, and Vice Chair of Resort, and the Casino & Gaming Committee.

"I take my position as Councilor very seriously," Laflamme said. "My perfect attendance shows that and I think the residents appreciate that."

Moving forward, Laflamme promised to continue to be easily accessible to residents and assist them in any way he can.

"I will continue to listen to residents' concerns by answering phone calls, emails, attending neighborhood meetings, or visiting your home," he said.

Laflamme also discussed his support the feasibility study currently being conducted by the Chicopee Electric Light Department to bring high speed municipal broadband to the city.

"One-gigbit Internet would be a game changer for our community in terms of economic development and creating competition for our residents," Laflamme said. "I join Mayor (Richard J.) Kos in supporting the study,"

He was also appointed by Kos as a member of the Landfill Closure Advisory Committee, which will is studying how to handle the expected closing of the private landfill in the city.

"We have some difficult decisions to make," Laflamme said. "I will work with my fellow committee members and City officials to find alternative ways to dispose of our trash and recycling without any additional costs to the taxpayer."

Laflamme has been married for 34 years and has two children.

For more information on his re-election campaign residents are encouraged to visit his Facebook page at Facebook.com/laflammeforcouncil.

Police responded to Home Depot on Boston Road for a fleeing shoplifter and charged a Springfield man with the crime when he returned to the store the next day.

WILBRAHAM - Police charged a Springfield man with shoplifting at the Home Depot on Boston Road.

Frank Albano, 39, of Springfield was charged with unarmed robbery, shoplifting, larceny over $250, assault and battery and operating on a revoked license.

Sgt. Daniel Carr responded to Home Depot Oct. 7 at about 10:30 a.m. for a fleeing shoplifter.

Police said Albano was caught on video at the store.

He was apprehended when he returned to Home Depot the next day, police said.

Police sought an arrest warrant for Albano.

He was taken into custody on Oct. 8.

The crash, which occurred near Exit 4 to West Springfield around 7:40 a.m., left one person with minor injuries, Massachusetts State Police in Westfield said.

The crash, which occurred near Exit 4 to West Springfield around 7:40 a.m., left one person with minor injuries, Massachusetts State Police in Westfield said.

The cars were towed shortly after the crash, police said. No further information on the accident was available.

Laura Newberry | laura.newberry@masslive.com 

Fran O'Connell referred to a campaign event Holyoke Mayor Alex Morse held about sewer issues.

HOLYOKE -- Candidate for mayor Fran O'Connell said Wednesday city employees' participation at a campaign event for Mayor Alex B. Morse was "inappropriate" and "unethical."

O'Connell, a business owner, referred to a "town meeting" Morse held Tuesday at the Pilsudski Club, 200 County Road, to discuss issues related to the sewer fund and the possibility of a storm water runoff fee.

Acting Auditor Bellamy H. Schmidt spoke at the event, which Morse said was organized and paid for by his reelection campaign and not the city. William D. Fuqua, general superintendent of the Department of Public Works, answered questions at the event.

Morse said Schmidt and Fuqua attended the event on their own and not under his order, and the gathering of about 50 residents benefited from their expertise.

O'Connell, who owns O'Connell Care at Home, said in an email that the employees' participation was improper.

"Alex Morse held a highly publicized campaign event (Tuesday) to discuss his proposed Storm Water Tax with the residents of West Holyoke. The event was clearly a campaign event. It was promoted by his campaign, he had volunteers there holding campaign signs and handing out literature on his campaign letterhead," O'Connell said.

"The participation of city employees at a campaign event is inappropriate, unethical and possibly illegal. There is certainly a clear conflict of interest," he said.

"I question why Alex Morse is using city employees at his campaign events and I call on him to stop this unethical practice," he said.

Morse said O'Connell has a knack for criticism but not solutions.

"Once again, Mr. O'Connell would rather talk about me than offer up any plan or solution to anything. He knows full well that these employees were there voluntarily. It's time for him to stop this squabbling. The voters of Holyoke deserve better," Morse said.

Morse has recommended that the City Council consider establishing a storm water runoff fee as a way to deal with a $1.3 million deficit in the sewer fund.

O'Connell has said he has offered solutions. He said a storm water runoff fee is a "tax" and the wrong step. Instead, the city should do more to seize overdue sewer bills, try to renegotiate the $6.8 million-a-year contract the city has with the private United Water to run the wastewater treatment plant on Berkshire Street and get creative to reduce the amount of runoff to the treatment plant, he said.

Morse said since he became mayor in January 2012, the city has collected more than $1.7 million in delinquent sewer bills.

Morse and O'Connell are competing on Election Day Nov. 3.