Reports out of Connecticut that a small plane has crashed in Simsbury and police and fire are racing to the scene to look for the crash site.

SIMSBURY, Conn. -- Reports out of Connecticut that a small plane has crashed in Simsbury and police and fire are racing to the scene to look for the crash site.

WFSB Eyewitness News in Hartford is reporting the plane crashed Monday night while approaching Simsbury Airport.

State police and officials with Bradley International Airport in Windsor Locks are trying to pinpoint the location of the crash. The plane was reported approaching Simsbury Airport when it disappeared off radar at around 7 p.m.

NBCNews Connecticut is reporting the search is concentrated in an area about eight miles away from the airport.

There was no information available about possible injuries.

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The bonus was to be paid to municipal employees who stay in Springfield or move to the city.

Springfield City Councilors John Lysak, left, and Clodovaldo Concepcion are on opposite sides of the fence when it comes to the proposed Springfield residency bonus

SPRINGFIELD – A proposal to offer city employees a bonus of up to $1,000 annually to live in Springfield drew opposition from some city councilors Monday night and was sent back to committee for further review, with one councilor calling the idea “a kick in the pants” to taxpayers.

As proposed, the council was considering a proposal to give current employees a bonus ranging from $250 to $1,000 per year, if they live in Springfield or move to the city, and if accepted by their unions under a new residency requirement for future employees hired or promoted by the city.

A key provision: if accepted by unions on a union-by-union basis, all new employees in that union hired after Jan. 1, 2013 would be required to live in the city and would not get the bonus.

Councilor Clodovaldo Concepcion said the city struggles to keep libraries open, and to find funds for a new senior center, but considers funding bonuses to hundreds of employees.

“This is a travesty,” Concepcion said. “This is a kick in the pants to the people who pay taxes.”

Other councilors raising objections to the ordinance included Bud L. Williams, Kenneth E. Shea and Timothy J. Rook; Council President James J. Ferrera III stated in advance he was opposed.

Supporters said the bonus and other changes to the residency ordinance would help enforce a residency requirement on the books since 1995, but largely unenforced for those 17 years. Opponents said it was not right to pay workers a bonus for following the rules, and was not something the city should or could afford.

Councilor John A. Lysak, chairman of the General Goverment Committee, and one of the ordinance sponsors, said it was “not perfect, but a step in the right direction.” Councilors Timothy C. Allen and Michael A. Fenton said it was step to get more employees to live in Springfield and invest more in the community.

As proposed, city employees who live in Springfield or who move to the city, would be eligible for an annual bonus of between $250 and $1,000, with the amount depending on the employee’s years of service. Those with 25 years of experience or more would be eligible for the top bonus of $1,000 per year.

The bonus was expected to cost between $220,000 and $800,000 the first year, but supporters said the cost would decline in future years as employees retire.

Some unions are exempt from the residency requirement, including police, firefighters and teachers, and there are many individuals who have waivers from the mayor.

William Mahoney, the city’s director of labor relations, said that a Law Department opinion months ago states there are constitutional issues with the 1995 residency ordinance.

The council earlier this year considered steps to enforce the ordinance, including a proposal to impose a two-week suspension without pay on any employee found in violation of the residency ordinance. The proposal for the suspension triggered strong opposition from many union officials and employees.

Supporters of the proposed bonus said it would serve as an incentive for employees to remain in Springfield or to move to the city. Residency would result in more employees paying property taxes and in making purchases and investments in the city, supporters said.

The city has 924 municipal employees who live in Springfield and 574 who do not, excluding the School Department, Mahoney said.

The team is days away from its opening game of the 2012-13 D League season.

Zayvik Rivera, 3, left of Springfield, enjoys an early Thanksgiving lunch Tuesday that wqas served by members of the Springfield Armor, including Shawn Van Zant, at the YMCA of Greater Springfield Magic Years Early Learning Center. Staff photo by Mark M. Murray

Players from the Springfield Armor took a break from preparing for the upcoming season on Tuesday to help serve an early Thanksgiving lunch to children and families from the YMCA of Greater Springfield Magic Years Early Learning Center.

Players towered over the youngsters, their parents, other volunteers and staff as they also mingled with the guests at the Downtown Springfield YMCA Family Center.

Second-year head coach Bob MacKinnon Jr. and the Armor open their NBA Developmental League season at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday in Canton, Ohio, against the Canton Charge. The team's home opener is Dec. 1 at 7 p.m. against the Sioux Falls Skyforce at the MassMutual Center.

The Seattle pickup was a Red Sox-killer late in the 2010 season.

Boston Red Sox's David Ortiz reacts after being tagged out by Orioles second baseman Robert Andino in the seventh inning on Sept. 28, 2011, in Baltimore. In the ninth, Andino's hit gave the O's a 4-3 victory and ruined Boston's season. The Associated Press

There was Bucky Dent in 1978 and Aaron Boone in 2003.

In 2011, there was Robert Andino, whose escape from baseball obscurity came from the same avenue as the others: he struck a dagger into the hearts of the Boston Red Sox and their fans.

Unable to strike much fear in anyone else, the Baltimore Orioles infielder was traded to Seattle on Tuesday for Trayvon Robinson, an outfielder.

Red Sox fans can only hope Andino's plane misses its landing spot in the Pacific Northwest, and flies him straight into the Japanese Central League. But at least he's out of the division.

The Curse of the Bambino was a media creation, but the Curse of the Andino was very, very real.

It was Andino's ninth-inning hit that Carl Crawford could not catch on Sept. 28, 2011 in Baltimore that helped end a Red Sox season and an era of success. The game-winning RBI off Jonathan Papelbon gave the Orioles a 4-3 victory which, coupled with Tampa Bay's win over the Yankees moments later, knocked Boston out of a shot at the playoffs.

Unlike Dent and Boone, Andino was no one-hit wonder in beating the Red Sox. In the final month of 2011, Andino had a three-run double off Papelbon, a three-run, inside-the-park homer off Josh Beckett (the first inside-the-park homer ever hit by an Oriole at Camden Yards) and the grand finale against Papelbon on the season's final night.

It was a stunning run by a player who probably won't even be a starter in Seattle. He hit .211 with seven home runs in 2012, committed 13 errors at second base and lost his starting spot at the position.

Andino, 28, is a .235 career hitter in a career that began in 2005 with Florida, where Beckett and Mike Lowell were among his teammates.

He was dealt by Dan Duquette, the Orioles baseball boss who is no stranger to Red Sox angst. Then again, Duquette was fired by the Red Sox and could not be blamed for harboring some of the same take-that attitude held by Andino, who openly acknowleged that ruining Boston's season was a priceless moment.

Andino did not always destroy the Red Sox, it only seemed that way. From 2010 through 2012, he hit .234 in 107 at-bats vs. Boston, with three homers and 15 RBIs.

He was hit in the head by a Mark Melancon fastball last September, and there were some who smelled retaliation behind that one. One piece of evidence is that Andino had been 2-for-2 before the shot to the helmet.

Now he's in Seattle, far, far away, but the Mariners and Red Sox will meet in 2013.

Had the Red Sox won that Sept. 28, 2011 game in extra innings, beaten Tampa Bay in a tiebreaker and made the playoffs, Boston baseball history would be much different. Perhaps beer-and-chicken would have never been an issue, Terry Francona might have stayed on after making the playoffs and the 2012 dismantling of the club would not have been deemed necessary.

It wasn't all because of Robert Andino, but he played a central. Happy Thanksgiving, Robert. Good luck - and good riddance.

HP plunged 12 percent after executives said that a company HP bought for $10 billion last year lied about its finances.

Exterior view of Hewlett-Packard Headquarters in Palo Alto, Calif. HP stock plunged 12 percent Tuesday after executives said that a company HP bought for $10 billion last year lied about its finances. CEO Meg Whitman said that there were "serious accounting improprieties" at the search-engine company, Autonomy. Associated Press file photo

NEW YORK — Falling oil prices and a surprise announcement from Hewlett-Packard weighed on technology and energy stocks Tuesday.

HP plunged 12 percent after executives said that a company HP bought for $10 billion last year lied about its finances. CEO Meg Whitman said that there were "serious accounting improprieties" at the search-engine company, Autonomy.

To account for it, HP took an $8.8 billion charge in its latest quarter. HP's stock lost $1.59 to $11.71.

A warning from the Federal Reserve chairman, Ben Bernanke, about the dangers of the "fiscal cliff" also weighed on the market in afternoon trading. The Dow Jones industrial average dropped as much as 94 points shortly after Bernanke spoke.

But the stock market crept higher through the late afternoon and ended the day flat. The Dow dropped 7.45 points to close at 12,788.51. The Standard & Poor's 500 index gained 0.92 point to 1,387.81.

On Monday, the Dow soared 207 points as investors focused on prospects for a deal between the White House and congressional Republicans to avoid the cliff, tax increases and government spending cuts set to take effect Jan. 1.

In a speech to the Economic Club of New York on Tuesday, Bernanke urged Congress to take action. Asked in a Q&A session whether the Fed could limit the economic hit posed by the budget-tightening measures, Bernanke said: "If the economy goes off the broad fiscal cliff, I don't think the Fed has the tools to offset that."

Many investors expect financial markets to turn turbulent when Congress returns from its Thanksgiving recess and begins bargaining with the White House to avoid the fiscal cliff.

John Linahan, head of T. Rowe Price's U.S. equity group, said that if those negotiations stretch into late December, the stock market could resemble the wild trading of August 2011, when markets flipped from big gains one day to steep losses the next.

Energy stocks and the price of crude oil fell after the president of Egypt predicted that Israel's weeklong offensive in the Gaza Strip would end in hours and the Israeli prime minister said Israel would be a "willing partner" to a cease-fire.

Crude oil was down $2.53, or 2.8 percent, to $86.75 per barrel. It traded above $89 earlier in the day. Energy stocks in the S&P slipped 0.4 percent as a group. Tech stocks fared the worst, losing 0.6 percent.

The Nasdaq composite index gained 0.61 of a point to 2,916.68. The yield on the benchmark 10-year U.S. Treasury note rose to 1.66 percent.

Among stocks making headlines:

— Hormel Foods dropped $1.25, or 4 percent, to $30.05 after its earnings and revenue fell below Wall Street expectations. The company said sales of Spam remained strong, and it increased its annual dividend 13 percent, to 68 cents per share.

— Best Buy fell $1.79, or 13 percent, to $11.96, its lowest in more than a decade. The company, which has struggled for years against increased competition from online electronics retailers, turned in another dismal earnings report.

— Krispy Kreme Doughnuts climbed $1.77, or 23 percent, to $9.31 after it forecast earnings for 2013 above what Wall Street was expecting.

— Green Mountain Coffee rose 54 cents, or 2 percent, to $27.87 after picking a new CEO, Brian Kelley of Coca-Cola.

— Groupon gained 27 cents, or 9 percent, to $3.37 after a hedge fund, Tiger Global, said it had bought a 10 percent stake in the company.

Median home prices went up 1.5 percent between October 2011 and last month, the Realtor Association of Pioneer Valley reported.

SPRINGFIELD – The city’s unemployment rate rate fell slightly from 10.7 percent to 10.1 percent in October, according to figures released Tuesday, but rising home prices might be a sign of a better economy.

The number of unemployed people fell from 7,061 in September to 6,654 in October, according to statistics released Tuesday by the state Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development and the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics. The number of people with jobs rose from 59,212 to 59,486. The city’s labor force fell, from 66,273 to 66,140.

Springfield’s unemployment rate was 10.7 percent a year ago in October 2011.

“It’s a little bit disappointing,” said Robert A. Nakosteen, a professor of economics and statistics at the University of Massachusetts Isenberg School of Management. “It is definitely a sign that the state’s economy is slowing down.“

The problem is that households overburdened by debt are still not spending enough money to make employers more willing to hire, Nakosteen said. Without employers hiring, the families don’t feel confident to spend and the cycle gets harder and harder to break.

But rising home prices might be part of the cure, Nakosteen said. A lot of that household debt comes from home mortgages and a lot of people owe more on their homes than they could sell the place is worth in this market.

Median home prices went up 1.5 percent in October from $170,500 in October 2011 to $173,000, the Realtor Association of Pioneer Valley said Tuesday. Sales also rose from 300 homes sold in October 2011 to 401 sold last month.

On a month-to-month basis, the median price rose 0.06 percent from $172,000 in September 2012.

Corinne A. Fitzgerald, president of the Realtor Association of Pioneer Valley and an owner at Fitzgerald Real Estate in Greenfield, said the number of homes under agreement to be sold rose 28 percent from 390 in October 2011 to 499 last month. It is the 11th consecutive month where pending sales have been up.

In Hampden County, the region’s largest housing market, sales rose 30.6 percent from 209 to 273. The median price rose 3.7 percent from $162,000 to $168,000, according to the Realtor Association.

In Hampshire County, sales rose 33.8 percent from 65 to 87. The median price rose 3.1 percent from $209,900 in October 2011 to $221,300.

In Franklin County, sales rose 57.7 percent from 26 to 41. The median price was up 2.5 percent from $157,000 to $161,000.

Nakosteen, the professor, even started sounding like a real estate broker when said now is a good time to invest in housing.

“People need to take advantage of these low mortgage rates,” he said. “They are not going to last forever.”

A 30-year fixed rate mortgage averaged 3.41 percent for the week ending Oct. 25 according to FreddieMac.com.

“Housing is up nationally,” Nakosteen said. “Home builders are showing more confidence.”

Rena Kottcamp, director of research for the Massachusetts Division of Unemployment said construction jobs fell in Greater Springfield last month. But that might be a seasonal change. Manufacturing jobs were also off.

Health care, trade transportation and utilities and professional and scientific services all gained. As a region, greater Springfield added no jobs from September 2012 to October, according to the state Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development and the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics. On the year, the region is down 1,500 jobs, or 0.5 percent of the total.

As a city Springfield’s unemployment rate was 10.7 percent a year ago in October 2011.

At 10.1 percent unemployment, Springfield had the sixth-highest unemployment of any town or city in the state. Holyoke was seventh at 9.5 percent, down form 10 percent in September and 10 percent a year ago in October 2011.

Statewide, the October seasonally unadjusted unemployment rate was 6.2 percent, down 0.2 of a percentage point from the month before. The national seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate is 7.9 percent.

Tipton has ten touchdowns in Central Michigan's last four games.

AMHERST – University of Massachusetts football coach Charley Molnar knows his team got worn down by a physical Buffalo running game in Saturday’s 29-19 loss, as the Bulls scored all 29 of their points in the second half.

He also knows the task for his defense won’t get any easier Friday when Central Michigan and running back Zurlon Tipton visit Gillette Stadium for the regular season finale.

“We were worn down in my opinion at the end of the game last week against Buffalo,” Molnar said. “I’m not blind to the fact that Central is going to try to do the same thing and give him a lot of carries and try and wear us down into the fourth quarter.”

Molnar chalked the poor late-game tackling up to youth.

“Because we’re young, our strength isn’t as good as it needs to be. As games go on, there’s probably a few more missed tackles than we would like to see,” Molnar said. “Our guys are running around and hitting guys, more often they’re just bouncing off rather than wrapping up and bringing them down.

Tipton has racked up 1,206 yards on 204 carries — or 18.5 per game, and has been a big part of Central Michigan’s three wins in its last four games, scoring ten of his 15 touchdowns in those contests.

Linebacker Perry McIntyre compared stopping Tipton to containing Ohio’s physical running back Beau Blankenship, who shredded the Minutemen to the tune of 269 yards on 43 carries on Sept. 29.

“Both of them are downhill runners,” McIntyre said. “This guy, if he’s one-on-one with the safeties, it’s pretty much a touchdown.”

McIntyre said that his mentality won’t change, though, because of Tipton.

“You just have to play the game the same. You have to get off blocks from the offensive line, the fullback, or whoever is trying to come up, and finish the tackle and get him to the ground,” McIntyre said. “We know he’s a very physical back, and we have to gang tackle him.”

HEALTH UPDATES

Offensive lineman Anthony Dima “did everything except for contact” Tuesday, according to Molnar, and looks to be a go for Friday’s game despite an upper body injury. Offensive lineman Jamie Casselberry is probable as well. However, offensive lineman Michael Boland, who also has an upper body injury, will be out.

Safety Joe Colton practiced and is set for Friday after suffering an arm injury in Monday’s practice.

Wide receiver Tajae Sharpe suffered an “unknown injury” Tuesday in practice.

Wide receiver Marken Michel is doubtful because of a leg injury, as is long snapper Vance Barton, who has a hand injury.

ONE LINERS

Defensive tackle Galen Clemons will face his former team; Clemons transferred to UMass after spending the 2009 season at Central Michigan… Charley Molnar III also played at Central Michigan alongside Chippewas legend Dan LeFevour... Rob Blanchflower, Perry McIntyre and Randall Jette will serve as game captains.

The Massachusetts Gaming Commission will sign an agreement with community colleges to train casino workers, but the colleges will not get exclusive rights for training.

Mohegan Sun

A company planning a casino in Palmer has reached a deal with a federation of about 50 labor unions to allow future employees to form a union at the casino and negotiate a contract.

The Mohegan Sun finalized the agreement with the Pioneer Valley AFL-CIO to cover employees at its planned casino in Palmer.

Mitchell Etess, chief executive officer of the Mohegan Tribal Gaming Authority. The Republican photo by John Suchocki

The agreement could help the Mohegan Sun win the lone casino license for Western Massachusetts. Under the state's casino law, the Massachusetts Gaming Commission, which would award the license, must consider whether an applicant has a contract with organized labor, including hospitality services, and has the support of organized labor for its application.

Paul Burns, a member of the Palmer Town Council, said it was a very important move for the Mohegan Sun to demonstrate it is cooperating with labor. "It shows you Mohegan's commitment," Burns said.

The agreement marks the first of its kind for any casino developer in Western Massachusetts, the Mohegan Sun said.

“The first jobs to be created from casino gaming in Massachusetts will be union jobs, and we’re excited to bring that opportunity to Western Mass. and the entire region,” Mitchell G. Etess, chief executive officer of the Mohegan Tribal Gaming Authority, said in a statement. “By formalizing this commitment to the Pioneer Valley AFL-CIO, we recognize the importance of preserving worker rights to organize once our facility opens in Palmer.”

The Mohegan Sun is planning to build on about 150 acres off Exit 8 of the Massachusetts Turnpike.

The Mohegan Sun and Ameristar Casinos, which is planning a casino in East Springfield, had both previously signed deals with the Pioneer Valley Building and Construction Trades Council of Springfield and Carpenters Local 108 to help build proposed casinos.

MGM Resorts and Penn National Gaming are also proposing casinos in Springfield.

In a separate development on casinos, state gaming regulators moved ahead in their process for examining bids by casino developers.

The Massachusetts Gaming Commission voted to hire a team of Spectrum Gaming Group of Linwood, N.J., and Michael & Carroll of Atlantic City, N.J., to investigate the financial and ethical backgrounds of casino applicants.

A spokeswoman for the commission could not say how much the consultants would be paid.

The commission tapped the same consultants in May to develop a strategic plan and complete other tasks such as preparing regulations and application forms for background checks.

The consultants, working with the Massachusetts State Police, will investigate the integrity, honesty, character, financial stability, the history of compliance with gaming licensing requirements, litigation matters and the suitability of the companies.

Casino companies are expected to submit materials, along with a nonrefundable $400,000 application fee, to the commission by Jan. 15. The commission is expected to complete the process for the background checks by October.

During their meeting in Boston, gaming commissioners also said they planned to approve a preliminary agreement with the state's 15 community colleges to train casino workers. The commission plans to vote on the agreement during its meeting on Nov. 27.

Bruce Stebbins, a commissioner, said the panel will not grant exclusive training rights to the colleges.

"They can be our partners," Stebbins said of the colleges. "It's a good partner to have to make sure residents ... find avenues and find a path toward careers in gaming."

Elaine B. Driscoll, communications director for the commission, said commissioners decided against granting the colleges exclusive training rights because commissioners are attempting to encourage competition and did not want to shut out private companies from job training.

William F. Messner , president of Holyoke Community College, had argued that exclusivity would allow the commission, casino operators and job applicants to focus on a single training provider.

Soto's withdrawal means there is no longer a majority of the 15-member council suing the mayor.

Anthony Soto

HOLYOKE — Ward 2 Councilor Anthony Soto has asked that his name be removed as a plaintiff in a lawsuit councilors filed over establishment of a needle exchange program.

Anthony Soto

Soto's withdrawal from the suit means there are seven councilors, and no longer a majority of the 15-member City Council, suing Mayor Alex B. Morse and other defendants in the suit filed Oct. 12.

Hampden Superior Court Judge Richard J. Carey held a hearing Oct. 25 and is considering a request from plaintiffs in the suit for an injunction to halt operation of needle exchange here.

Soto said Tuesday he always has been in favor of the city having a program in which intravenous drug users submit used needles and get clean ones in return.

Supporters say such a program is vital to public health because it removes from circulation and prevents the sharing of needles possibly infected with diseases for which there are no cures, such as HIV-AIDS and hepatitis C.

Soto signed onto the suit because he agreed with the argument that Morse denied councilors' rights as officials elected to carry out legislative duties by depriving them of voting on needle exchange, he said.

Morse and City Solicitor Elizabeth Rodriguez-Ross have said the local approval that was required to establish needle exchange were approvals of the Board of Health and mayor.

Since the suit was filed, Soto said, the "back and forth" discussion seems to have changed the intent of the suit from protecting City Council authority to who is for and against needle exchange.

"The way it was presented to me, it sounded more like the decision of the mayor was circumventing the City Council. ... I am for needle exchange and I think the best interest would be for me to withdraw," Soto said.

Morse wrote of the step in an email, "As far as Soto's decision, it's the right thing to do and I thank him for removing himself as a plaintiff."

Removal of someone's name as a plaintiff requires filing of a motion with the court, said City Council President Kevin A. Jourdain, a lawyer and plaintiff in the suit.

Jourdain said despite Soto's withdrawal, the intent of the suit remains the need to protect City Council authority.

"The mayor has no authority to circumvent the council's lawful authority," Jourdain said.

Jourdain has led the opposition to a needle exchange program here. It was Jourdain's complaint that forced the Board of Health to rescind its July 9 vote to establish the program because that meeting violated the state Open Meeting law.

The remaining plaintiffs in the lawsuit are the CIty Council and councilors Linda L. Vacon, Todd A. McGee, Brenna M. McGee, James M. Leahy, Joseph M. McGiverin and Daniel B. Bresnahan.

Besides Morse, who is being sued professionally, defendants in the suit are the Holyoke Board of Health and Tapestry Health. Tapestry has been running a needle exchange program at at 15-A Main St. since the health board and Morse gave approval in mid-August.

The seven other councilors who aren't plaintiffs in the suit are Gordon P. Alexander, Aaron M. Vega, David K. Bartley, Rebecca Lisi, Gladys Lebron-Martinez, Jason P. Ferreria and Peter R. Tallman.

Several of the displays this year have been refitted with energy efficient LED lights.

The 2012 edition of Bright Nights at Forest Park debuts Wednesday night. The Republican file / Michael Beswick

SPRINGFIELD - Bright Nights at Forest Park kicks off it’s 18th season Wednesday beginning at 5 p.m. with the ceremonial lighting of a display called “Happy Holidays, Springfield.”

Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno and his family will be joined by Lt. Gov. Timothy Murray and his family, Maj, Gen. Scott Rice, Massachusetts National Guard Acting Adjutant General, Spirit of Springfield Chairman Daniel Walsh and President Judith Matt for the ceremonial flipping of the switch.

Several of the displays have been converted to operate with energy efficent LED lights.

“The 2012 season of Bright Nights at Forest Park will open with more LED lights, greater support from the community, and a team of workers eager to make the visitors’ experience the finest they have ever had,” said Matt.

The cost for opening night will be only $6 per car. Afterward, the cost is $18 per car Monday through Thursday and $21 per car on weekends and holidays. Buses with seating for 17 to 30 people are charged $70 and larger buses are charged $150.

Initially, Bright Nights will run Wednesdays through Sunday through Dec. 2. On Dec. 5, it will run nightly through Jan. 1.

Gates open each night at 5 p.m and will remain open until 9 p.m. on weeknights and until 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturdays and holiday nights.

Bright Nights at Forest Park is a cooperative effort between the Spirit of Springfield and the Springfield Department of Parks, Buildings and Recreation Management.

MGM Springfield, which is looking to develop a casino in the city’s South End, has signed on as a one of the sponsor this year.

For more information, visit brightnights.org or call the Spirit of Springfield at 413-733-3800.

Outgoing Selectmen James Driscoll, whose resignation will go into effect one day after the general special election, said he hoped the turnout would have been even higher.

This is an updated version of a story posted at 5:15 this afternoon.

Peter Punderson, Angela K. Thorpe and Debra A. Boronski won enough votes in East Longmeadow's special preliminary election to move on to the final election next month.

EAST LONGMEADOW - Three candidates came out on top in an unprecedented special election to replenish the Board of Selectmen after back-to-back resignations earlier this year.

Among four candidates vying for one seat that expires in April, Peter Punderson and Angela K. Thorpe were the top vote-getters who will move on to a Dec. 18 ballot. For another seat that will not expire until April 2014, Debra Boronski is the only candidate on the ballot against write-in challenger Bryan Doe, who declared his candidacy after the filing deadline passed.

Punderson, a former oil business owner, and Thorpe, a school department employee, won 823 and 721, respectively.

Two of the three Board of Selectmen seats were vacated when veteran member James Driscoll resigned, citing work obligations, and former Chairman Enrico "Jack" Villamaino III resigned abruptly in April after being caught up in a voter fraud scandal. Villamaino has since been arrested and charged in Hampden Superior Court with crimes in connection with an alleged scam to steal hundreds of absentee ballots and submit phony votes in the 2nd Hampden District state representative's race.

He was a candidate in that primary until the alleged scheme came to light and he and his now-wife, Courtney Llewellyn, a suspended town employee, came under investigation. Llewellyn also has been charged. The two were married after their homes were raided but before they were charged. Both have pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Villamaino dropped out of the state race and resigned from the town board at once. Officials pondered limping along with a single board member but ultimately opted to hold a special election, which will cost the town an estimated $12,000. Candidates were required to declare which seat they sought at the outset.

Some observers said Boronski, a lobbyist, organized early, scaring most candidates out of that race. Doe hopes to win with a sticker campaign.

Beaten in the contest for Driscoll's seat were Nicholas Chiusano and Joseph Townshend, who won 398 and 664 votes, respectively. Chiusano was the only candidate not standing and waving to voters who streamed into Birchland Park Middle School on a chilly Tuesday.

Voter turnout hovered around 14 percent by the time the polls closed - slightly better than the average for preliminary elections, according to Town Clerk Thomas Florence.

Outgoing selectman James Driscoll, whose resignation will go into effect one day after the general special election, said he hoped the turnout would have been even higher.

"It's bizarre. We had nearly an 80 percent turnout for the presidential election ... but this is the election that will most directly affect voters' pocketbooks," Driscoll said, citing the town's high bond rating and lauding department heads whose contracts are set for renewal in the coming months. "We're in great shape and we need someone who's engaged."

Voters came out in droves in the state primary, as if in response to the scandal that briefly shone a spotlight on East Longmeadow. One voter shook his head sadly at Florence before heading to the voting booth, lamenting that he had known Villamaino and his family for years.

"I just don't understand it," the man said.

Punderson is a first-time candidate for the board. He has served on the town's Planning Board. Thorpe, a former School Committee member who was beaten when she simultaneously ran for that seat and a spot on the Board of Selectmen in April.

"I'm honored and excited," Thorpe said after the results came in. "It really is a thrill to be moving on. I really just want to serve East Longmeadow. We have a lot of good things going on and we need to highlight those."

The candidate who wins Driscoll's seat will attend about a half-dozen selectmen meetings before having to face the voting public a second time in April.

A proposal to reward residents who live in Springfield with an annual bonus did not garner City Council support.

Springfield City councilors Michael Fenton, left, and John Lysak say they are ready to renew efforts on drafting a stronger residency ordinance. The Republican file photos

SPRINGFIELD — City councilors said they are back to the drawing board in trying to craft an improved residency requirement for municipal workers that is fair, effective and enforceable after the latest proposal failed to garner council support.

“I am absolutely optimistic,” said Councilor John A. Lysak, chairman of the council’s General Government committee, which is set to reconsider the residency issue. “It’s a work in progress. Hopefully, we will sit at the same table and come to agreement on something that will work.”

On Monday, a proposal to provide annual bonuses ranging from $250 to $1,000 to municipal employees who live in Springfield or who move to the city drew opposition from some council members, and the issue was referred back to committee. The ordinance was aimed at starting to enforce a residency requirement for newly hired employees after Jan. 1, 2013, and to give bonuses to employees who live in Springfield, subject to acceptance by unions on a union-by-union basis.

In reviewing residency, councilors said they also must consider legal issues raised regarding the existing residency requirement adopted in 1995.

A June legal opinion from City Solicitor Edward M. Pikula was discussed at the council meeting that raised legal and constitutional issues and concerns about any effort to suddenly enforce residency on existing employees. The residency requirement has been largely unenforced since 1995, and there are multiple unions and individuals who are legally exempt or waived, officials said.

Pikula said this week the existing residency ordinance “is subject to challenge and enforcement is difficult, if not impossible, in light of its application in the past.” The Law Department has recommended a study be conducted in Springfield that would support “the reasoning for the discrimination against non-residents.”

Councilor Bud L. Williams said residency ordinances have worked in other communities and should be valid and enforceable in Springfield.

Councilor Michael A. Fenton, who was among councilors in favor of the bonus proposal to reward residency, and to encourage workers to live and invest in Springfield, said he is ready to tackle the residency issue anew in committee. The legal issues raised will be part of the discussion, he said. Councilors Timothy C. Allen and John Lysak also advocated for the residency bonus and were among its sponsors along with Mayor Domenic J. Sarno.

“I am encouraged by the council’s willingness to continue to pursue the issue,” Fenton said on the day after the vote to send it back to committee. “I would look for a renewed compromise.”

The council “spent years working and redoing versions of the ordinance,” Fenton said. That included a proposal earlier this year to suspend for two weeks without pay city workers who are found in violation of the residency ordinance, which was dropped after strong opposition from unions and employees.

“There is no deadline to get it done, but we will get it done, hopefully the sooner, the better,” Fenton said, regarding the effort to create an improved residency ordinance.

Councilors who opposed the residency bonus said the city should not, nor can it afford to, pay employees to live in the city.

Council President James J. Ferrera commended the sponsors of the bonus for their efforts and work, but said the council needs to “relook at the issue and go at a different approach.”

The residency issue will be tackled again, Lysak said.

“Hopefully we will get more councilors to come together and find out what is going to work so we can get residency in the city,” Lysak said.

The students hope to raise more than $1,000 to buy gifts for Toys for Tots.

Chicopee High School senior Delmarina Lopez hangs up a flier for the Toys for Tots winter dance. School police officer John Jusino is helping organize with her. The Republican / John Suchocki

CHICOPEE – Chicopee High School students who have fond memories of finding plenty of Christmas presents under the tree are planning to help younger children make their own memories.

Chicopee High School senior Delmarina Lopez has been working to organize the first all-school winter dance as a way to collect money and toys to be donated to Toys for Tots.

“I’ve seen the works of Toys for Tots in our community and ... I’ve seen the impact they have in the community,” she said.

The winter wonderland dance, planned for Dec. 7 in the school cafeteria, will charge students $5 for admission or $3 if the student also brings a toy to donate. All the proceeds will be used to buy toys for the charity, which is sponsored by the U.S. Marine Corps.

Lopez, who has organized other community service programs in her school, said she recognized she needed a teacher to agree to support her efforts. She asked school resource police officer John Jusino, who was happy to help.

She then received permission from principal Roland R. Joyal Jr. to run the event. At least 10 teachers have agreed to chaperone the dance, and several others said they will likely help, giving the students more adults at the dance than they need under school rules.

“Mr. Joyal is always willing the help the students if they want to help out the community. As long as you have a good plan he will approve it,” she said.

Lopez said friends and other students have agreed to help her sell tickets and do other things to run the dance.

She is also seeking community support and said anyone outside the school who wants to donate a toy or give financial support can drop items off at Chicopee High School. Any checks should be made out to Chicopee High School - winter dance.

The dance itself is open only to Chicopee High students, and Lopez is hoping is to attract 350 of the about 1,100 students from the school to the dance. She is hoping to raise at least $1,000, which will mostly be used to buy gifts such as board games and educational toys which will be aimed mostly at older children, since people tend to donate mostly toys for young children.

The school does hold a spring fling, but this is the first winter dance anyone has held. It will be informal dress, music and refreshments, Lopez said.

“Within our school we don’t do many things for the community other than Pride Week so I thought this was a good way to help,” she said.

While the primary job of a school is to educate students, Lopez said she also feels schools should showing students the importance of being involved in and helping the community.

An Ameristar official met with the East Springfield Neighborhood Council to update the neighborhood on its proposed casino.

SPRINGFIELD — An Ameristar Casinos official on Tuesday met with the East Springfield Neighborhood Council to update the neighborhood on its proposed casino.

Kathleen Brown, president of the neighborhood council, said the company has been providing the group periodic updates since last year.

Jonathan Little, director of government and community affairs for Ameristar Springfield, told the neighborhood council the casino company will meet a deadline of Dec. 14 set by the city of Springfield to file a $400,000 state application fee.

Little was asked how the proposed casino off Page Boulevard would get customers to downtown Springfield to take advantage of downtown entertainment venues such as the MassMutual Center and CityStage.

“We’re considering shuttles and trolleys,” Little said. “This is a challenge that we’re currently addressing.”

He said the company also is working with the Massachusetts Department of Transportation on a traffic plan for the proposed casino off Interstate 291.

The increase in prescription benefits was part of a long-awaited package of rules to implement the law formally announced on Tuesday by the Health and Human Services Department.

In this March 23, 2010, file photo, President Barack Obama reaches for a pen to sign the health care bill in the East Room of the White House in Washington. Obama’s re-election has guaranteed the survival of his health care law. Now the administration is in a sprint to the finish line to put it into place. In just 11 months, millions of uninsured people can start signing up for coverage. But there are hurdles in the way. Republican governors will have to decide whether they can join the team and help carry out what they’ve dismissed as "Obamacare." And the administration could stumble under the sheer strain of implementing the complex legislation, or get tripped up in budget talks with Congress. Associated Press

By TOM MURPHY

The Obama administration has strengthened the prescription drug coverage that will be available to the millions of people who will get insurance through the nation's new health care overhaul starting late next year.

The increase in prescription benefits was part of a long-awaited package of rules to implement the law formally announced on Tuesday by the Health and Human Services Department. The government laid out minimum requirements for health insurance coverage and banned denying coverage to people with pre-existing health problems.

The new rules, once made final, will govern the operation of new health insurance marketplaces, called exchanges, that will debut in 2014.

Having the federal government set minimum standards for what health insurance must cover is a departure from normal practice. Usually, insurance companies, their state regulators and employers play that role. But the Affordable Care Act requires that Washington establish a baseline for minimum coverage in areas that include inpatient and outpatient care, emergency services, maternity and childhood care, prescription drugs, preventive screenings and lab work.

It must also cover mental health and substance abuse treatment, as well as rehabilitation for physical and cognitive disorders, and dental and vision care for children. Such additional benefits are often not fully covered by frugal plans that are now the best that many small businesses can afford.

Many of the details the administration released on Tuesday had been previously announced, but Dan Mendelson, CEO of the market analysis firm Avalere Health, saw one key change: Health insurance plans will now have to cover the same number of prescription drugs as the benchmark plan in their states. That basically means there will be a higher number of prescription drugs covered in each class, such as antipsychotics or antidepressants, than had previously been required.

"It's going to dramatically increase access to pharmaceuticals in the exchanges," Mendelson said. "It's a big deal. This makes the exchange offerings more consistent with what employers offer."

The administration also laid out more details behind previously announced rules that govern how insurers cover people. The rules prevent insurers from denying coverage to someone because he or she has a pre-existing or chronic condition, and they also limit how much insurers can vary premiums by age.

Starting in 2014, the overhaul will expand coverage to millions of people in part by offering tax credits that help them buy coverage on the exchanges. Enrollment for plans sold on the exchanges will start next October, and HHS officials said Tuesday they were confident the exchanges and the coverage sold on them will be ready.

"Now that the law is here to stay, I'm hopeful that states and other partners will continue to work with us to implement the law," ealth and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius said.

The latest update from the administration seems to be keeping "with the spirit of providing comprehensive benefits at an affordable price," said Neil Trautwein, a vice president of the National Retail Federation, a business group whose members will be heavily affected by the law.

"Of course, the proof is in the price tag of the policy," he said, noting that it's still unclear how the required benefits will affect premiums.

HHS and the Labor Department issued the proposed rules and will take feedback or comments on them for the next 30 days. After that, the government will issue the final rules.

Mendelson said the Obama administration is filling in details of the law that will help insurers and government officials plan for the coverage expansions.

"The administration has to get specific about what the rules of the road are going to be for 2014," he said. "What they're doing now is coming out with all those details."

John Micheletto got a win in his first game against his former employer of nine years.

UMass skated past Vermont, 3-1, on Tuesday. Photo by J. Anthony Roberts

AMHERST — University of Massachusetts hockey coach John Micheletto thought a fast turnaround after a blowout loss would help his team refocus quickly.

Evidently, he was right.

Branden Gracel’s two goals led the Minutemen to a 3-1 victory over Vermont on Tuesday night at the Mullins Center, helping to erase Sunday’s nightmarish performance against UMass-Lowell, and giving Micheletto a win in his first game against his former employer of nine years.

Micheletto said, though, that once the puck dropped, that there was no extra emotion for him against his old boss Kevin Sneddon.

“Once the puck drops, it’s really hard to have any sort of sentimentality at all,” Micheletto said. “I think there was more emotion when I saw the guys come in and drop their gear off yesterday or this morning when they were here for the morning skate.”

He and his team were more focused on moving on from Sunday’s 8-2 beatdown, of which they watched some film, but not too much, according to Micheletto.

“We watched video, and it’s obviously a slippery slope when you’re doing that after a loss, but it was real important for us to identify, OK here was us Sunday night and here was us the three previous games,” Micheletto said. “It was about four or five minutes of the first section where we weren’t so good, and four or five minutes of the second section.”

The Minutemen were in control for most of the game, but found themselves in a precarious spot during the third period, when the Catamounts had 1:34 of five-on-three power play time with 14:07 to go.

But UMass killed both penalties with relative ease, and swung the momentum in its favor for the remainder of the game.

“That’s a momentum swing, no matter whether it’s in the first 10 minutes or the last 20,” Micheletto said.

It was the second straight game that the Catamounts had failed to convert on a two-man advantage in the final period.

“Almost two minutes in the five-on-three and we had one really good look at it,” Sneddon said. “That’s two games in a row now, so we need to make some changes in who we have out there for a five-on-three.”

UMass forward Conor Sheary opened the scoring in the first period, retrieving his own rebound, then waiting patiently to find a lane between Vermont defenders. When it appeared, he slid a pass across the slot to a waiting Conor Allen who blasted it home on a one-timer to give the Minutemen the lead 5:51 into the opening frame.

The Catamounts equalized when Anthony DeCenzo put a Kyle Mountain rebound past UMass goalie Kevin Boyle — who ended up with 24 saves — with 8:40 to go.

Gracel’s first came after he scooped up a misguided Catamounts clearing pass and rifled a snap shot over Vermont goalie Brady Hoffman’s right shoulder to give UMass a 2-1 lead 3:57 into the second period.

On his second, Michael Pereira sped down the right wing, rendered Hoffman helpless with a deke, then slid a feed out front for Gracel who needed to do nothing more than tap the puck in for the insurance goal with 5:05 left in the third.

He just missed an empty-net goal with seconds remaining to complete the hat trick.

“Hopefully that’s not the way I need to get a hat trick,” Gracel said.

The Minutemen take the ice again Saturday for a 7 p.m. face off with Quinnipiac.

The state would reimburse the city for 80 percent of the $6.86 million cost of the science labs.

The William J. Dean Technical High School in Holyoke. The Republican file / John Suchocki

HOLYOKE - The City Council Tuesday unanimously approved borrowing nearly $6.9 million to modernize the science laboratories at Dean Technical High School.

Under the plan the city is following, the cost here will be about $1.4 million because the state will reimburse 80 percent, officials said.

The council at City Hall also voted 10-4 to fine-tune the ordinance that governs the city solicitor's duties. Some councilors said the step wasn't singling out City Solicitor Elizabeth Rodriguez-Ross but others said it was prompted by comments she made in February about working on her private practice.

The project at Dean would be part of the Massachusetts School Building Authority Science Lab Initiative Program. If the city follows that program's guidelines, the cost would be $1.38 million to the city and nearly $5.5 million to the state, City Treasurer Jon D. Lumbra has said.

"It's a good deal for the city," said Todd A. McGee, Finance Committee chairman.

The project is on the fast track in terms of state consideration so the new labs are scheduled to be ready for the next school year in September, said Councilor at Large Aaron M. Vega, who is on the Dean Tech Futures Advisory Committee.

Dean would see its science labs increase from three to six. Each state-of-the-art lab would be both classroom and laboratory, with multi-purpose science equipment, stations for each student, desks and tables, Principal Jonathan B. Carter said.

Councilors said the borrowing is an investment to ensure students at the city's vocational school are trained to be the skilled workers employers need.

"Just as we invest in our streets and sidewalks, we have to invest in our school system," Councilor at Large James M. Leahy said.

"As you know, we're going to get the investment back in the community," said Ward 1 Councilor Gladys Lebron-Martinez, a former School Committee member.

In the labs, students will learn engineering, physics, robotics, electronics, biology, chemistry and other areas, said Carter, who thanked the council in an email later.

"By upgrading and enhancing Dean Tech’s science, technology and engineering facilities and offerings, Dean Tech will be able to attract more students and better prepare our graduates to become Holyoke’s workforce of the future," Carter wrote.

Councilors said the order about the solicitor was intended to update the job description because city solicitor used to be a part-time position. The order states the solicitor will "devote his or her full time" to city duties and will take on no outside work during the business work day that conflicts with solicitor duties.

"This is not at all about our current solicitor," Vega said.

But councilors Daniel B. Bresnahan and McGee said the order -- which was filed in February -- was based on Rodriguez-Ross saying she planned to spend Thursdays working on her private-practice cases. She said that during a confirmation meeting before the council after Mayor Alex B. Morse appointed her.

"We've never had to deal with this," Bresnahan said.

Rodriguez-Ross has since closed the six private-practice cases for which she was responsible in February, Ordinance Committee Chairwoman Rebecca Lisi said. Rodriguez-Ross couldn't be reached for comment Tuesday night.

Voting against the order were councilors Joseph M. McGiverin, Anthony Soto, Bresnahan and Lebron-Martinez.

“There are as many paths to God as there are human beings. So why wouldn’t we all want to come from all persuasions to celebrate together in worship?”

Davonte Barcisse directs the One Voice Choir, one of the choirs at the annual Interfaith Thanksgiving Service at Old First Church in Springfield Tuesday night. The Republican / Dave Roback

SPRINGFIELD – About halfway through the Interfaith Thanksgiving Service at Old First Church on Court Square on Tuesday night, St. John’s Congregational Church's choir took the stage and rocked the house.

People of all faiths rose to their feet, swaying and twitching, their elbows pumping as they clapped in time to the gospel music.

A young mother danced in her pew with her little son. She turned out to be Jennifer Seymour, wife of the Unitarian Universalist minister who spoke at the annual celebration.

Also speaking at the service was Springfield Mayor Domenic J. Sarno, who told the assembly of about 75 people that he always loved coming to the event. “This is where people in Springfield have gathered as far back as the 1600s to celebrate, mourn and debate,” said Sarno.

Most of the speakers, and many people in the pews, were in religious vocations. They included Archbishop Timothy Paul, the Rev. Barbara Schenk and the Rev. Bruce Shaw. Imam Rasul Seifullah, a Vietnam veteran, represented Muslims.

A golden-voiced cantor named Elise Barber sang in Hebrew a text that translated into: “How good it is for brothers and sisters to sit together.” Barber cajoled the assembly into singing the line in Hebrew – to the tunes of “Swing Low, Sweet Chariot” and “When the Saints Go Marching In.”

Speaker Shawn Jones represented the Baha’i. Kirk Smith, head of the YWCA in Springfield, also spoke.

The historic church, with its vast sky-blue ceiling and white trim, was sold to the city a few years ago but is still used for monthly meetings of the Greater Springfield Council of Churches.

People came in clerical garb or jeans, suits or sweaters. Two petite nuns in gray-and-white habits sat in the very last pew, smiling.

“I always try to go to interfaith services to give thanks,” said Jeff Stoloff, a Holyoke schoolteacher. “Thanksgiving is an American holiday, and it’s nice to have something that covers all the denominations.”

Unitarians Denise and John Benoit, of Longmeadow, came with their daughter Emilia, 11, and her 10-year-old friend Veronica.

“We get to learn a little bit more about other people’s faiths,” said Vida Rastegar, of Westfield, who came with friends.

“The gift of our community is the motto that all will be one,” said Sister Nancy Welch, a member of the Catholic Sisters of St. Joseph in Holyoke. “There are as many paths to God as there are human beings. So why wouldn’t we all want to come from all persuasions to celebrate together in worship?”

“I love coming to this kind of service,” said Tyra Shields, 18, who attends the Basilica of the Holy Apostles in Springfield. “It brings me closer to God, and it lets me know what other people are talking about.”

The service included a collection for the Faith Warming Fund of the Council for Churches. A brass quartet and the Once Voice Choir also performed.

Hartford outscored UMass 25-10 at the free-throw line to improve to 5-0.

AMHERST – The difference in the game was six points, and it all came from the foul line – and then some.

The undefeated University of Hartford (5-0) outscored the University of Massachusetts 25-10 from the line, and committed 11 less fouls to hold on to a 71-65 victory at the Mullins Center.

UMass, down 47-33 with 15:40 remaining, made a spirited comeback attempt, cutting the lead to as few as two points before the weight of the foul trouble wore them down.

Freshman forward Rashida Timbilla, who had seven rebounds and eight points in only 21 minutes, fouled out as did junior transfer Kiara Bomben. Jasmine Watson, who finished with a game-high 22 points, ended with four fouls, the same for Aisha Rodney. In the first half, point guard Dee Montgomery had two fouls, and had to sit, and the Hawks took advantage of inexperienced freshman backup Nola Henry (8 minutes, 0 for 2, no assists, three turnovers).

“I thought we played gritty basketball in the second half,” UMass coach Sharon Dawley said. “We have obstacles we need to overcome. One of them is the free-throw differential. We have to try and not put our opponents on the line as much as we have, and to improve the number of times we get there.”

Hartford 14th-year coach Jennifer Rizzotti, the former UConn great who also played pro ball in Springfield, was happy with her team’s play except for a five-minute stretch of the second half.

“I feel that some of our guys made some bad decisions that caused four or five unforced turnovers that were senseless,” Rizzotti said.

Rizzotti’s coaching style is to take away a team’s strength so senior guard Alex Hall was all over UMass sophomore shooting guard Emily “Tex” Mital in the first half, holding her to 1 for 6 from the field, 1 for 4 from 3-point range. After Mital hit her first 3-pointer, Rizzotti did away with the help defense, and turned to Hall.

But in the second half, Dawley feeling her team was not getting to the line enough and liking some of the matchups, had her team driving more to the basket. Mital ended up with 12 of her 15 points in the second half.

While UMass cut down on its turnovers after committing 20 in the first half alone at Notre Dame, it still had a total of 23 Wednesday. Dawley said it wasn’t the number that was the problem, but that the turnovers came at key times.

Hartford redshirt freshman center Katie Roth was the game star. She finished with 17 points on 6 for 7 shooting from the field. Hall hustled her way to a team-high seven rebounds, was 4 for 4 from the line, and also had five assists. Guard Amber Bepko missed all five of her three-point attempts, but sank 8 of 9 free throws.

Rizzotti felt the young UMass team “didn’t adjust to the officiating”, and that was the reason for the one-sided foul figures.

Dawley wasn’t so sure.

“I’m confused, I thought we weren’t the aggressive team,” she said, indicating that f they really were there might be 60 fouls.

Although UMass is 1-4, it has been in every game except the one at Notre Dame. And there are many encouraging signs. Timbilla had five assists and only one turnover, and the defense suffered when she was out. Montgomery had six assists, and four turnovers. Watson was impressive, going 9 for 15 from the field. Bomben was hustling throughout.

“We didn’t do a good job on Watson, but she’s tough,” Rizzotti said.

Hartford looks to keep its streak going Sunday with a home game against St. John’s.

UMass will also be home Sunday against Holy Cross (2 p.m.) before going on a four-game road trip.

Although it was a loss, UMass can point to progress in the fact that Hartford had beaten Central Connecticut by 14 points on the road while the Minutewomen had fallen to CCSU by nine at the Mullins Center. So the close call with the Hawks does show some progress.
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Renovation, demolition and redevelopment, or some option in between, of Lyman Terrace, a complex built in the 1930s, will be discussed.

HOLYOKE — Renovation, demolition and redevelopment, or some option in between, will be discussed at a public meeting about the future of Lyman Terrace on Tuesday.

The meeting is 6 to 8 p.m. at Holyoke Heritage Park Visitor Center, 221 Appleton St.

"Residents will also hear about the scope and timing of the planning effort and schedule for future public meetings," a press release said.

English to Spanish interpretation services will be provided and light refreshments will be served, the press release said.

Lyman Terrace is a 1930s-era, 400-tenant, 167-unit complex bordered by Lyman, Front and John streets in the Downtown Neighborhood.

MassDevelopment and the Massachusetts Housing Partnership, two quasi-public finance organizations, have organized the meeting. Those organizations and the state Department of Housing and Community Development are working on a plan for downtown that includes Lyman Terrace.

Lyman Terrace tenants have had a roller coaster year. The Holyoke Housing Authority announced plans, initially with the support of Mayor Alex B. Morse, to seek permission from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to demolish the complex's 18 red-brick buildings and mount a redevelopment plan.

Rosalie M. Deane, housing authority executive director, said in February renovating Lyman Terrace was too expensive. Environmental, mechanical and hazardous-material firms determined that bringing the 167 units up to current building codes, expanding units’ square footage, making interior and exterior structural improvements and providing energy efficiencies would cost $24 million — “well beyond” authority resources, she said.

Tenants and supporters protested. Six Lyman Terrace tenants filed a complaint with the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination to block the demolition Aug. 1.

The complaint was filed on the grounds that demolition would equal discrimination because most Lyman Terrace residents are Hispanic.

Morse in late August asked the federal government to halt consideration of the demolition request. His reasons were that a study of that part of downtown was needed, developers' proposals submitted to the Housing Authority to reuse the site were insufficient and he had concerns about the authority's ability to relocate Lyman Terrace tenants, he said.

At the city's request, HUD has suspended consideration of a request that the authority filed in the summer for permission to demolish Lyman Terrace, Deane said in October.

The study the three state organizations are doing will focus on development opportunities for the area bounded by Lyman Street, the first-level canal, Dwight Street and High Street, a press release said.

That plan will consider recently done studies such as the Center City Vision Plan and the Holyoke Redevelopment Authority's proposed Urban Renewal Plan, "Connect. Construct. Create.: A Plan for the Revitalization of Center City Holyoke," the press release said.