The Massachusetts Department of Transportation stacked the deck in favor of a single company when it was selecting a towing contractor for the Massachusetts Turnpike in 2013, according to a letter from the state's Inspector General.

The Massachusetts Department of Transportation stacked the deck in favor of a single company when it was selecting a towing contractor for the Massachusetts Turnpike in 2013, according to a letter from the state's Inspector General.

MassDOT's bidding process was flawed in a number of ways, the IG alleged. Members of its procurement team were ill-trained, its scorecard for selecting a towing company did not meet state specifications, its chosen company was allowed to skirt procedures and it excluded or disadvantaged a specific bidder, the letter said.

"Providing preferential treatment to a vendor violates these standards of conduct," the letter said. "Favoritism also undermines companies' willingness to compete for contracts in the future. Moreover, when the favorable treatment brings with it significant financial value to the contractor, it fosters suspicions that the favorable treatment is being or will be reciprocated in clandestine ways by the contractor."

In July2013, MassDOT launched a bid process to award towing contracts across the Mass. Pike. A procurement team, led by MassDOT purchaser Marie Luskin, included both MassDOT employees and Massachusetts State Police troopers who had experience dealing with towing companies.

By April of 2014, following confusion over pricing and changes to the Request for Responses, the bid process had been canceled, and until now existing contracts have continued using temporary extensions.

But during those 10 months, the procurement team allegedly showed "extraordinary favoritism" toward references submitted by Watertown-based Perfection Towing, improperly amended the bid process and allowed state troopers' personal opinions of other bidders to influence the process, the IG wrote.

MassDOT contractually receives 15 percent of regular towing revenues on the Mass. Pike, and procurement team members initially disagreed about what to seek in a contractor -- higher toll fees to better fund the department, or lower ones to make towing cheaper for drivers.

What they did not expect was for Perfection Towing to offer to charge $1 per tow on the easternmost part of the Pike, in hopes of winning additional business at its car repair shop.

"The extremely low bid surprised MassDOT officials, who immediately contacted Perfection to see if the $1-per-tow price was a typographical mistake," the IG's letter said. "Because the RFR required towing companies to give MassDOT 15% of their Turnpike towing revenue, MassDOT stood to make just 15 cents per tow."

For that reason and others, MassDOT amended the request for responses, requiring a tow price between $81 and $90, the state maximum. The IG took issue with the amendment, arguing that rules required the agency to issue a new RFR for such a significant change.

The IG also criticized MassDOT for how it handled its request for references from towing companies. Perfection Towing's references were rated "excellent" despite Luskin, the procurement team leader, not documenting any phone calls to those references. And one of Perfection Towing's written reference letters came from Luskin herself -- a copy of an email praising the company for "outstanding service."

Other competitors were graded more harshly for their references, the IG's letter said.

The IG also suggested that state troopers on the procurement team had allowed their personal bad experiences with Perfection's competitors to color their ratings, despite a requirement that all information used in the bid process be properly documented.

Beyond the bid process, the IG found that MassDOT had been significantly underpaid by towing operators for years. Some operators only paid MassDOT 10 percent of revenues, despite a contractual requirement to pay 15 percent -- a discrepancy that escaped the department's notice, according to the letter.

"Clearly, MassDOT officials did not review the monthly commission statements submitted by their towing vendors to ensure the companies were complying with the contract," the letter said. "The act that two vendors computed the commission rate at 10% was plainly visible on the monthly statements."

MassLive has reached out to MassDOT for comment.

The grant, announced this week by the governor's office, will allow HCC to expand the number of students served in its non-credit EMT classes and offer new training equipment and materials at the college's new Center for Health Education, adjacent to the main campus on Jarvis Avenue.

HOLYOKE -- Holyoke Community College has been awarded a $127,741 Workforce Skills Capital Grant to purchase equipment for its EMT Training Program.

The grant, announced this week by the governor's office, will allow HCC to expand the number of students served in its non-credit EMT classes and offer new training equipment and materials at the college's new Center for Health Education, adjacent to the main campus on Jarvis Avenue.

HCC was one of seven community colleges, vocational high schools and educational collaboratives chosen to share in a total funding package worth $2.6 million, according to a news release from the college.

"This was a great opportunity for us to get some needed funding to replace outdated materials and equipment, which, because of the cost, is difficult to keep up to date," said Ken White, dean of HCC Community Services.

The grant will allow HCC to expand the number of students served in the noncredit certificate EMT classes, which are geared for firefighters and other emergency workers who need certification or continuing education; individuals interested in beginning careers as EMTs; and nurses or other heath professionals.

"Students at all levels will have access to state-of-the-art technologies, including simulators that respond to student actions," White said.

Instructors for the enhanced program will be supplied by Springfield Technical Community College, White said. Together, HCC and STCC, through Training and Workforce Options, their collaborative workforce program, will work with area employers to provide customized EMT training opportunies at HCC's Center for Health Education.

"The goal of these grants is to expand the capacity of programs that build skills for Massachusetts residents," said Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito. "We already see the impact these grants are having at educational programs around the state, and we know these investments will strengthen the state's economy for all residents."

Patrick Belliveau, 24, of Gardner, is being charged with gross negligent operation with serious bodily injury and leaving the scene of a crash with serious bodily injury.

George Graham | ggraham@repub.com 

WHITINGHAM, Vt. -- State police say they took a 24-year-old Gardner, Mass. man into custody early Thursday after he left the scene of a vehicle accident that left his passenger in critical condition.

The accident occurred at approximately 2 a.m. when the driver, Patrick Belliveau, lost control of his vehicle on Tunnel Street and crashed into a tree, state police said.

The single passenger was trapped in the 2007 Dodge Durango and had to be extricated by Readsboro firefighters.

State police have not released the name of the passenger, pending notification of family members.

That person suffered multiple compound fractures, internal injuries and head injuries and was taken by emergency medical helicopter to Albany Medical Center.

Belliveau suffered a fractured arm and was found about four miles away a short time later.

Belliveau was screened for alcohol and drug impairment and his blood alcohol level was determined to be .089 percent. He was taken to Southwestern Vermont Medical Center in Bennington.

The state of Vermont prohibits the operation of a motor vehicle by a driver that has a .08 percent or above blood alcohol concentration.

Belliveau is being charged with gross negligent operation with serious bodily injury and leaving the scene of a crash with serious bodily injury. He may also be charged with driving under the influence pending the results of evidentiary tests.

Tunnel Street was closed to traffic for approximately 3 hours while the crash was investigated.

Anyone with information related to this crash should contact the Vermont State Police at 802-442-5421.

This is a developing story. Additional information will be posted as soon as it is available.

John Geils Jr., the founder and lead guitarist of the J. Geils Band, was arrested on drunk driving charges following a car crash in Concord on Tuesday.

John Warren Geils Jr., the founder and lead guitarist of the J. Geils Band, was arrested on drunk driving charges following a car crash in Concord on Tuesday.

The Lowell Sun reports that Geils, 70, was driving through Concord when he was involved in a crash shortly before 1 p.m. on Tuesday. No one was injured, but when officers responded to the scene they arrested Geils for allegedly operating under the influence and failing to stop for police.

It was Geils' second OUI charge, according to the Sun. Prosecutors said Geils allegedly rear-ended the car in front of him.

Geils has been a Groton resident for over 30 years, the Sun reported.

The J. Geils Band was founded in Worcester in the midi 1960s while Geils was a student at Worcester Polytechnic. Geils has participated in several reunion tours, though is not currently a member of the band.

Despite having never met Donald Trump, the Dalai Lama offered his best impression of the Republican U.S. presidential nominee during a Thursday morning appearance on a British television show.

Despite having never met Donald Trump, the Dalai Lama offered his best impression of the Republican U.S. presidential nominee during a Thursday morning appearance on a British television show.

The spiritual leader of the Tibetan people, during an interview on Good Morning Britain, told Piers Morgan that he had never met the businessman and does not know what to think of him.

He, however, imitated the GOP nominee, poking fun at his hair and mouth.

The Dalai Lama placed his hand over his forehead to mimic Trump's trademark hair before using his fingers to gesture a "small," fast-moving mouth.

"That's my impression, but I don't know," he said.

It's not the first time the Buddhist leader has commented on Trump.

He previously raised concerns about the GOP White House hopeful's use of personal criticism in a March interview with ABC News.

"Sometimes I feel, too much personal criticism," he said when asked for his thoughts on the businessman. "A serious discussion about policy matters is useful, but sometimes a little bit personal criticism that looks a little bit cheap. That's my view."

NORTHAMPTON - Reggae sensation Ziggy Marley took the stage at the Calvin Theatre on Wednesday, September 21st.

NORTHAMPTON - Reggae sensation Ziggy Marley took the stage at the Calvin Theatre on Wednesday.

Ziggy is the eldest of the 11 descendants of the late Bob Marley. Born David Nesta, he was given the nickname Ziggy by his father, which means "little spliff".

The vibes were good, and the house was packed, the night opened up with a performance by Northampton natives Naia Kete and SayReal. Naia and her brother, drummer Imani were raised into a family of musicians. Naia began songwriting at a very young age, soon starting her first musical adventure with her brother "Children of the Most High."

After a brief introduction by her father, Naia and SayReal brought nearly an hours worth of classic rich reggae rhythms and original music, as well as a few covers. It wasn't long before she had everyone on their feet and ready for the main act.

The only thing more passionate, good spirited and energetic than Ziggy Marley's music are his live shows. This show was no exception, dancing out onto the stage and proceeding to dance, interact with the crowd and other band members while singing and playing guitar for the entire set.

The rest of the band was all smiles on stage, as they should have been, a quick look around the theater showed a very well attended house.

The performance was comprised of a mix of classic Marley hits like "Love is My Religion" and "A Lifetime" blended with new material off Marley's latest self titled release in his discography, which came out on May 20th.

In addition to his music, Marley is also well known for his humanitarian efforts and his U.R.G.E. (Unlimited Resources Giving Enlightenment) Foundation, which acts to support education, health, and the environment in an attempt to improve the environment where children live an grow through providing assistance and resources that enable communities to develop.

Marley has also made quite a splash in pop culture over the years. Many millennials heard his music almost every day, having written the main theme song to the popular 90's PBS children's show "Arthur." He has also made made multiple appearances on Sesame Street, and performed a cover of his father's "Three Little Birds" on the Dora the Explorer soundtrack.

Other shows and movies he's worked on include "Shark Tale," "Family Matters," and "Charmed" among others.

The tour continues on through late October, moving north into Canada and west, where it will end on the 25 in Solana Beach, CA at the Belly Up Tavern.

For more information about Ziggy Marley, Naia Kete and SayReal, or the U.R.G.E. Foundation visit their official websites.

The head of a Springfield-based education foundation has been appointed to a state board overseeing early education in Massachusetts.

The head of a Springfield-based education foundation has been reappointed to a state board overseeing early education in Massachusetts.

Gov. Charlie Baker reappointed Mary Walachy, executive director of the The Irene E. & George A. Davis Foundation in Springfield, to the Massachusetts Board of Early Education and Care.

Walachy has led the family foundation, which gives grants to nonprofits focused on education and early literacy, for 15 years. She helped create the foundation's Cherish Every Child initiative, which promotes early childhood education. She has brought together donors and business leaders in coalitions to support early literacy and education programs.

The Board of Early Education and Care oversees the administration of early education and care and out-of-school programs. The Department of Early Education and Care licenses child care programs, foster care placement agencies and other programs; provides financial assistance to low-income children to get early education; and provides information and referrals to families.

Leslie Rivera, 21, was arrested at 8:35 a.m. on default warrants for attempted murder, assault and battery, felony breaking and entering and malicious damage of a motor vehicle.

A Springfield woman was arrested Thursday morning after allegedly skipping court dates linked to a 2014 domestic violence incident.

Leslie Rivera, 21, was arrested at 8:35 a.m. on default warrants for attempted murder, assault and battery, felony breaking and entering and malicious damage of a motor vehicle.

Springfield Police Sgt. John Delaney said the charges stemmed from a Feb 16, 2014 incident in which Rivera allegedly broke into a person's home and assaulted them with a knife.

The details are confidential because the case involved domestic violence, Delaney said.

Rivera was arrested on the original charges in 2014, and was taken into custody on default warrants this morning for failing to appear in court.

City police broke up a "large" heroin dealing operation on Wednesday, raiding a Central Street apartment and arresting two suspects.

SPRINGFIELD -- City police broke up a "large" heroin dealing operation on Wednesday, raiding a Central Street apartment and arresting two suspects.

A total of 72 bags of heroin were seized from 122 Central St. during the raid, which also turned up cocaine, cash and drug paraphernalia. Police arrested Daveida Diaz-Hernandez, 25, in the apartment.

Earlier, police had tailed Juan Jose Castro-Rivera, 35, as he drove his blue Nissan Pathfinder down Central Street.

Castro-Rivera struggled with police after they stopped the vehicle. A "large amount of heroin" was discovered in Castro-Rivera's pocket.

A "lengthy" investigation headed up by Detective Lt. Steve Kent preceded Wednesday's raid and arrests, which occurred around 2 p.m.

Both suspects will be arraigned today in Springfield District Court on charges of possession of heroin with intent to distribute and possession of cocaine with intent to distribute.

Castro-Rivera will face additional charges of resisting arrest and unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle.

The heroin epidemic within Massachusetts communities hit home in Lawrence this weekend after a mother overdosed with her toddler.

The heroin epidemic within Massachusetts communities hit home in Lawrence this weekend after a mother overdosed with her toddler by her side.

The woman was in a Lawrence Family Dollar on Sunday morning with her two-year-old when she fell to the floor, unconscious.

Another shopper called emergency services and began filming the shocking scene.

The two-year-old is seen on video tugging at her mother's arm and attempts to lift her head, while crying. The person shooting the video is heard saying the woman's eyes have rolled to the back of her head and in filming the scene for two minutes, does not try to help her nor the child.

She was revived on scene by emergency medical technicians with two doses of Narcan.

The toddler was taken into protective custody with the Department of Children and Families and the woman, a resident of New Hampshire, is facing child endangerment charges. The video is expected to be used as evidence against her. 

Lawrence police told FOX25 that children are involved in an estimated 10 percent of cases they respond to. 

"It's very disturbing to see someone obviously in the matter of addiction where it overtakes someone where they're not able to take care of their child, leaves their child vulnerable," Lawrence Police Chief James Fitzpatrick told FOX25. 

The replacement process cannot begin until the letter is received.

AMHERST -- Select Board members are facing the task of filling vacancies on the Jones Library Board of Trustees and the Amherst-Pelham Regional School Committee. 

But, the process of filling the seat held by former regional school committee chairwoman Lauran Kent can't move forward until she formally resigns.

Kent notified the school district Sept. 14  that she was resigning from the committee. But, as of Thursday morning, Town Clerk Sandra Burgess had not received a formal letter of resignation.

The Select Board cannot announce the vacancy and begin the replacement process until that letter is received.

Kent could not be reached for comment.

Once Kent submits the letter, the board will announce the vacancy and ask candidates to apply.

In an email earlier this month, Amherst School Committee Chairwoman Katherine Appy said it is important to fill the slot by the middle of October.

Appy said the committee needs to bring a new member aboard because the committee is facing the fall tasks of setting goals and dealing with the district's budget.

The Select Board could meet Oct. 13 at the earliest for the selection of a new school committee member.

Meantime, the Select Board Monday night will meet with Jones Library Board of Trustees to name a new trustee.

The Select Board and Jones trustees need to elect a new member because Jonathan McCabe resigned in July.

Candidates have until 4 p.m. today to submit their names for consideration.

There were 313,550 Democratic ballot cast statewide and 70,659 Republican ballots.

Secretary of the Commonwealth William Galvin said turnout in the Sept. 8 state primary election was 8.84 percent.

That was within the range of 8 percent to 10 percent turnout that Galvin had predicted prior to Election Day.

The primary featured few contested races, with more competitive elections on the Democratic side than the Republican side. There were no statewide primary races. In Western Massachusetts, competitive primaries included the races for Hampden County sheriff and for several legislative seats.

Overall, Galvin said, there were 313,550 Democratic ballot cast statewide and 70,659 Republican ballots cast.

Massachusetts has 4.36 million registered voters.

With polls giving Republican Donald Trump the edge in Ohio, Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton is turning to the cast of the television show "The West Wing" to drum up support for her campaign in the Buckeye State.

With polls giving Republican Donald Trump the edge in Ohio, Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton is turning to the cast of the television show "The West Wing" to drum up support for her campaign in the Buckeye State.

The actors who portrayed the fictional White House staff in Aaron Sorkin's political drama will crisscross the important battleground state on Saturday and Sunday, Clinton's campaign announced this week.

Richard Schiff, who played "Toby;" Allison Janney, who played "C.J.;" Bradley Whitford, who played "Josh;" Dule Hill, who played "Charlie;" Joshua Malina, who played "Will;" and Mary McCormack, who played "Kate;" on the television show will participate in grassroots events in Cleveland, Sandusky and Toledo on Saturday.

The actors, who will discuss why they are supporting the former secretary of state and urge Ohioans to register to vote, will also stop in Dayton and Columbus on Sunday.

The weekend campaign swing will culminate with a Sunday rally in Columbus' Ward 21, according to officials.

It marks the latest set of high-profile campaign surrogates the Democratic nominee has deployed in Ohio in recent weeks.

Polls give Trump a 2-point advantage in the battleground state, according to RealClearPolitics' polling averages.

The West Wing, which aired from 1999 to 2006, chronicled the challenges facing White House staff under a fictional president.

The governor of Puerto Rico says power is slowly being restored nearly 24 hours after a blackout swept across the island.

By DANICA COTO, Associated Press

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) -- The governor of Puerto Rico says power is slowly being restored nearly 24 hours after a blackout swept across the island.

Gov. Alejandro Garcia-Padilla said Thursday that about half of power customers should have electricity within hours.

The director of the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority, meanwhile, says the entire system should be back to normal on Friday.

Power went out abruptly Wednesday afternoon following a fire at a power plant in the southern town of Salinas. The cause of the fire is not yet known.

Nearly everyone on the island of 3.5 million people lost power.

Reacting to a report in the Boston Herald about a "GOP revenge plot" at the state's energy and environmental affairs agency, Gov. Charlie Baker called the allegations "unbelievably disturbing" and said an investigation is underway.

BOSTON - Reacting to a report in the Boston Herald about a "GOP revenge plot" at the state's energy and environmental affairs agency, Gov. Charlie Baker called the allegations "unbelievably disturbing" and said an investigation is underway.

The Herald reported on Thursday that officials at the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) "harassed and retaliated" against an employee, Cynthia Lewis, after her fiance, J.D. Parker-O'Grady, started a run against state Sen. Donald Humason, Jr., R-Westfield.

According to the Herald, which obtained a cease-and-desist letter sent by her attorneys at the time to EEA lawyers, "she was 'subject to harassment, threats, coercion and intimidation' by Baker appointees in an attempt to get Parker-O'Grady to call off his Democratic challenge to Humason."

Baker said his administration learned about the allegations 10 days ago and told EEA officials they needed to conduct an investigation with oversight from the governor's legal office.

"No one in our administration should ever, ever threaten anybody to engage in civic endeavors as a private citizen," Baker said. "Period. And I take that type of allegation really seriously. And like I said, let's see what comes out of the investigation. It's going to have a lot of input from our legal office and based on what comes out of that, we'll make an appropriate call."

Baker says he hopes to have the results of the investigation as soon as possible.

"Because I have no use for that stuff. I really don't. I mean, I'm one of these guys who says all the time that I want people to engage in civic endeavors. I want people to serve on planning boards," Baker said. "I want -- there are people in our administration right now who are running for office. Republicans and Democrats, in their spare time. It's a free country. They should be able to do that. I find these allegations unbelievably disturbing. But they are allegations at this point. Let's see what the investigation concludes."

News of the allegations comes weeks after the suspension of two top Department of Conservation and Recreation officials for using public resources for a private party. The department is within the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs.

Department of Conservation and Recreation officials suspended for using state resources for private party

Called Driven, the new series is created by the Isenberg School of Management.

AMHERST -- The Isenberg School of Management at the University of Massachusetts is launching a new speaker series with a talk by Steve Wozniak, co-founder of Apple and chief scientist at Primary Data.

The series -- titled "Driven:  A Conversation With ..." kicks off Oct. 7 at the UMass Club at 1 Beacon St., Boston. Wozniak will talk with Tom Ashbrook, host of the NPR program On Point at the 6 p.m. event.

The event includes dinner and tickets are $250. 

Wozniak spoke before thousands in May 2015 in a free event at the MassMutual Center in Springfield as part of the Springfield Public Forum series. 

The Isenberg school's "Driven" series was created to fuel the exchange of innovative ideas, according to a press release.

"The purpose of our Driven series is to convene the region's best and brightest business leaders in constructive conversations with top experts representing a variety of sectors," Mark Fuller, dean of the Isenberg School of Management, said in the statement.

Fuller said Wozniak "will undoubtedly spark a lively and enlightening discussion."

Wozniak co-founded Apple with Steve Jobs in 1976, shaping the computer industry with his design and engineering of the company's early line of game-changing products.

More recently, he has worked on bringing better computer capabilities to schools, according to the release.

Neal, a Democrat from Springfield, will be the featured speaker at the Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation annual tax policy conference in October.

U.S. Rep. Richard Neal, a Democrat from Springfield, will be the featured speaker at the Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation's annual tax policy conference in October.

The Oct. 13 conference at the UMass Club in Boston will also feature remarks from Massachusetts Revenue Commissioner Michael Heffernan.

The Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation is a business-backed group that provides analysis and expertise on state tax policy. The conference will include panels on tax litigation, corporate and administrative taxes, and business perspectives on federal tax reform.

Neal, who represents Massachusetts' 1^st District in Congress, is a senior member of the tax-writing Ways and Means Committee.

This is Cara Rintala's third murder trial, following mistrials in 2013 and 2014 resulting from deadlocked juries.

NORTHAMPTON -- Roy Dupuis, once a neighbor to Cara Rintala and her wife Annamarie Cochrane Rintala, testified Friday the couple were good neighbors and appeared to get along.

Dupuis also told the jury, though, that the summer before Cochrane Rintala was found dead in the basement of the Rintalas' Granby home, Cara Rintala told him she and her wife were having trouble. Cochrane Rintala moved out, but then moved back.

Dupuis, who now lives in Florida, is a defense witness. Rintala's attorneys were allowed to call Dupuis out of order because of scheduling. The prosecution is still presenting its case.

Dupuis told jurors he and his wife got to know the two women and their two-year-old daughter Brianna. He said he and his wife were invited to parties for Brianna.

When Dupuis and his wife traveled the Rintalas watched their cat. When the Rintalas traveled, Dupuis and his wife watched their animals.

Rintala, 49, is accused of strangling Cochrane Rintala, then 37, on March 29, 2010. She is on trial before Hampshire Superior Court Judge Mary-Lou Rup.

Friday is the sixth day of testimony in the trial, which is predicted to last four to five weeks. Forensic testimony began Thursday.

Caroline Tatro of the State Police lab testified Thursday there were cat hairs on Annamarie Cochrane Rintala's hands and clothing, and at the crime scene.

Dupuis testified the Rintalas did not have cats at the time of Cochrane Rintala's death.

This is Rintala's third murder trial, following mistrials in 2013 and 2014 resulting from deadlocked juries. She has been free on $150,000 bail since March 2014.

Follow Buffy Spencer's updates from the trial on Twitter:

Tweets by @buffyspencer1

Developers SilverBrick LLC asked to extend the permitting process for 180 days.

CHICOPEE -- At the request of the developer, the City Council voted unanimously to delay for six months taking any action on the proposal to convert the Cabotville Mill into 600 apartments and 400,000 square feet of retail space.

The council voted 12-0 this week to grant the time extension to SilverBrick LLC. The extension will expire in February, but the council also agreed to meet on the proposal in December to make sure it stays current on the plans.

"We want to work with this developer. It will be a boon to the downtown," Councilor Shane D. Brooks said of the project.

SilverBrick LLC submitted an application for a special permit for the project on July 28. The application includes requests for waivers for noise levels, signage, parking lot screening, screening of mechanical equipment, and the company is asking to reduce the number of parking spots from the required 1,085 to 623.

Under city regulations, the City Council has 90 days to act on the special permit, and if it fails to do so the permit is approved automatically. SilverBrick LLC asked for an extension of the time requirements while it works out details of the sale of the property. The sale will not be finalized until the special permit is granted.

"We respectfully request that the draft review, public hearing and City Council vote pertaining to the special permit application be postponed for 180 days until transaction-related matters are clarified," Aaron Papowitz, founder and managing principal of the company, wrote in a letter to the council.

SilverBrick is in negotiations to purchase the 170-year-old mill building from 200 Tillary LLC. Company owner Johsua Guttman, a New York City developer who is known for converting former industrial buildings into lofts, purchased Cabotville in 2005 and planned to create about 240 condominiums and use the first floor for retail and other businesses. He made some improvements but then the project stalled for years.

Councilor James K. Tillotson said he is happy the regulations allow the City Council to extend the deadline at the request of developers. While the project could help revitalize the downtown area -- something city officials have struggled with for decades -- it is also important to ensure it is done properly, Tillotson said.

"I'm hoping the city is protected in this," he said, adding that the city must ensure the building is safe for those who will live and work there.

One of the reasons the original plan to renovate the mill stalled is the main water pipe that serves Cabotville runs through the canal parallel to Front Street and could freeze if the water level is too low in the winter. The canal is owned by a different entity, so the owners of Cabotville do not have control of the water level.

The Fire Department refused to grant a permit because there was no reliable source of water to feed the sprinkler system, which had been upgraded, saying that could endanger residents and businesses.

The city received a $2.64 million MassWorks Infrastructure Grant from the state to improve the water line and other utilities such as sewer pipes, storm drains and electrical lines in the west end of Chicopee Center. Using some of the money, it has hired an engineering firm that is studying the problem of the water line.

Have you ever wondered how much your college or university president makes each year? Here's the top paid employees in Massachusetts higher education.