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Massachusetts officials promote locally-grown Christmas trees

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Officials say buying locally-grown Christmas trees boosts the state's economy.

BOSTON (AP) — State officials are urging residents to buy locally-grown Christmas trees this season.

State agriculture commissioner Greg Watson joined other state and local officials for Friday's annual tree-cutting ceremony at Crane Neck Christmas Tree Farm in Groveland.

Watson said locally-grown trees and renewable and recyclable, and an important part of the state's agricultural economy.

According to the latest U.S. Department of Agriculture figures, there are 284 Christmas tree farms in Massachusetts, producing more than 75,000 trees each year.

The vast majority of Christmas trees are grown on farms, limiting damage to forests.


4 dead in Alaska plane crash

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The pilot and three passengers, including an infant, died in the crash of the single engine plane in remote Alaska.

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — A plane crash near the remote western Alaska village of Saint Marys killed four of the 10 people aboard, including an infant boy, an Alaska State Troopers spokeswoman said Saturday.

The pilot and three passengers died in the Friday night crash, spokeswoman Megan Peters said.

There was no immediate word on the condition of the other passengers, Peters said.

The single-engine, turboprop Cessna 208 was Era Alaska's Flight 37, National Transportation Safety Board investigator Clint Johnson said.

A man who answered the phone at Era Alaska's Saint Marys office said he couldn't provide any information. Associated Press calls to Era headquarters were not immediately returned. The commercial carrier serves Alaska communities.

The plane was en route from Bethel to Saint Marys when it was reported missing about 7 p.m. Friday, Peters said. The wreckage was found at about 8:30 p.m. about 4 miles east of the village.

Troopers and an air ambulance service responded to the scene, Peters said.

The dead were identified as pilot Terry Hansen, Rose Polty and Richard Polty and the infant, Wyatt Coffee.

The survivors included Melanie Coffee, Pauline Johnson, Kylan Johnson, Tonya Lawrence, Garrett Moses and Shannon Lawrence.

No ages or hometowns were immediately available, Peters said.

An emergency locator beacon signal helped pinpoint the crash site, Johnson said.

Johnson said he believed a rescue crew from the village was the first to reach the crash site in an area he described as rolling hills.

There was no immediate word on what might have cause the crash. The NTSB planned to send two investigators to the scene Saturday. A Federal Aviation Administration spokesman didn't immediately respond to an email requesting crash information.

The temperature in the area Friday night was about 18 degrees.

Saint Marys is about 470 miles from Anchorage.

West Springfield High School construction proceeding on schedule

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The superintendent said he is most excited about the technology opportunities for students and teachers when the new West Springfield High School opens in 2014.

By CHRISTOPHER GOODREAU


WEST SPRINGFIELD – Construction of the new $107 million West Springfield High School is proceeding on schedule for opening in the new year, Superintendent of Schools Russell Johnston said this week.

Johnston briefed the School Committee at a meeting on Tuesday.

“We continue to be on target for entering the new high school,” said Johnston. “The academic wing, much of it, is basically completed. A lot of work has gone into it, obviously, and it’ll still come down to the wire, a bit, but we’ll be there.”

Johnston cited the new school’s technological advances as being one of the most exciting aspects in terms of what will result for students and teachers.

The superintendent said he recently led a tour of teachers and administrators to high schools in Revere and Westwood, where they saw similar technology in action for students.

“I will tell you, there is a huge difference,” said Johnston. “The difference is very predominately favored towards the (Google) Chromebooks as a tool that vastly improves education. The type of work we saw the students being able to do at Westwood was inspiring.”

Johnston also said administrators are looking into an educational software program called Impara for the new high school. Impara, he said, merges and manages information.

“If I want to assign this task to everyone in my class, I just click on that class and the program will pull all of the student information out of our student efficient program to make sure that we give the right assignment to the right kids for every teacher,” he said.

Johnston also provided the committee an update on the School Department’s use of a National Education Association Foundation grant. Competitively awarded to 12 school districts across the country, the funding has allowed training and professional development for teachers, consulting to the school district, and work on supporting projects in the school system. 

Yesterday's top stories: Springfield police cadet killed in accident; shootings, stabbings and savagery mar Black Friday, and more

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The Red Sox are due to make another trade, maybe multiple trades.

These were the most read stories on MassLive.com yesterday. If you missed any of them, click on the links below to read them now. The most viewed item overall, however, was Mark Murray's photo gallery of Springfield's parade of big balloons, above.

1) Springfield police cadet Max Moran, son of Sgt. Ricky Moran, identified as victim of Thanksgiving morning accident [George Graham]

2) Shootings, stabbings and savagery mar Black Friday 2013 across United States [Robert Rizzuto]

3) Now, more than ever, Boston Red Sox are in a position to trade [Jason Mastrodonato]

4) Holyoke police bust seven on drug charges at 97 Elm St., a place they know well [Mike Plaisance]

5) Future of Springfield courthouse in question as plans for I-91 reconstruction and casino move forward [Buffy Spencer]

Springfield committee to renew debate on hot dog vendor legislation

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The Springfield Parking Authority has defended the ticketing of the hot dog stands pending any change to the existing law that prohibits stationary carts in the road.

SPRINGFIELD – A City Council committee plans to meet Wednesday with various department heads and downtown representatives to renew debate on how to regulate hot dog vendors after one curbside businessman complained that he has repeatedly gotten parking tickets.

The council’s Public Health and Safety Committee has scheduled the meeting at 4 p.m., at City Hall, to hear from the officials and John C. Verducci III, who operates a stand on Worthington Street and pleaded for a solution to the tickets at a recent council meeting during the public speak-out.

The council had granted approval to a home rule bill in 2009, intended to allow the vendors to be licensed by the police commissioner, but the bill never passed the state Legislature.

Verducci, of Agawam, said he has been ticketed at times during the past three years, but decided to seek relief when the fines began totaling $100 a week in October.

“The whole thing is ludicrous,” Verducci said. “It’s really not that complicated. This is like a hit below the belt. You should not be giving food trucks tickets like this.”

Springfield Parking Authority Manager Ehsanul “Bokul” Bhuiya said last week that enforcement officers are just upholding the law that currently prevents “unattached trailers” from being parked on the streets beyond the two-hour parking limit.

Until the law is changed, “I don’t have the authority to show any favoritism and not issue any tickets,” Bhuiya said. Some other vendors have also been given tickets, he said.

Verducci, an Agawam resident who has operated a food cart in Springfield for 28 years, said he is seeking the same permission to conduct business as allowed in many other communities.

In other communities, vendors are licensed to operate and pay an annual fee, which is what he would expect, he said.

In 2009, Verducci was among vendors seeking help from the City Council, saying he was being unfairly ordered from his longtime spot in the downtown by the Parking Authority, as then ordered by Mayor Domenic J. Sarno. He said he was being targeted under a 1934 law for “hawkers and peddlers” that forbid stationary carts at roadside.

Verducci has also appealed his tickets to the parking authority.

Verducci said he typically operates Thursday, Friday and Saturdays on Worthington Street, and gets $50 tickets each day on the first two days.

Verducci said he should not have to be afraid of coming to work by expecting a parking ticket.

The council could decide to resurrect the old home rule bill, pass it with any new amendments, and resubmit it for consideration by the state Legislature, officials said.

Under the old bill, approval of licenses was required by the police commissioner who would rely on advice from the director of public works and the director of health and human services, taking into account such issues as insuring vendors do not disrupt traffic or public order.

Under one provision of the initial bill, vendors would be ranked on seniority, meaning consecutive years of operation, and first-site assignments would be seniority ranked, allowing long-term vendors to keep their present locations. 

Springfield anti-foreclosure ordinances, already challenged in federal court, face additional review by Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court

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The city's anti-foreclosure ordinances, facing state and federal court reviews, call for banks or property owners to place a $10,000 bond on any property vacated or in the process of foreclosure.

SPRINGFIELD – Two city ordinances that are aimed at addressing the problems of foreclosed properties in Springfield were recently referred for review by the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court while already challenged by a group of banks in a federal lawsuit.

The two anti-foreclosure ordinances, passed by the City Council in 2011, and upheld by a U.S. District Court ruling in July 2012, remain under review by the U.S. Court of Appeals in Boston.

The federal appeals court, while keeping jurisdiction, ruled on Nov. 22 that the matter is also in need of review by the Supreme Judicial Court in Boston, the highest court in Massachusetts.

The case was referred because “the outcome of this case turns on unresolved questions of Massachusetts law and raises significant policy concerns better suited for resolution” by the state’s highest court, the federal appellate court stated.

Under one of the challenged ordinances, the owner or bank must register with the city and place a $10,000 cash bond within 30 days of the property becoming vacant or within 15 days of the foreclosure being initiated. The bond funds can be accessed by the city if the property is not properly secured or managed, under the law.

The second ordinance would establish a city-approved, mandatory mediation program to assist homeowners faced with foreclosure. The bank or other mortgagee would be responsible for paying about 85 percent of the cost of mediation, according to the appellate court opinion.

City Solicitor Edward M. Pikula said the case is important to Springfield because the local law “strives to fight blight that has been exacerbated by the foreclosure crisis.” However, it is also important to all cities and towns in the state because it will address their “home rule” authority over the foreclosure issue, he said.

Tani Sapirstein, of Springfield, lawyer for the banks, argued before the federal appeals court that the ordinances conflict with several state laws and regulations and are unconstitutional. In addition, she argued that the $10,000 bond, that includes an administrative fee for the city, is “not a fee, it’s a tax,” and is thus illegal because any new tax levied by the city needs approval from the state Legislature.

The federal appeals court opinion states in part that Springfield “was particularly hard-pressed by foreclosures and concluded that properties left vacant during or after foreclosure can threaten the public safety by, among other things, attracting criminal activity or drawing squatters who, without any available utilities, may cause fires. These harms can in turn lower the values of neighboring properties, causing more foreclosures and creating a vicious circle.”

The city in response created the ordinances, the court stated.

The federal suit was filed by Easthampton Savings Bank, Chicopee Savings Bank, Hampden Bank, United Bank, Monson Savings Bank and Country Bank for Savings, all of Western Massachusetts.

The Supreme Judicial Court has considered multiple other Springfield cases. In 2012, the court sided with an appeal by St. George Greek Orthodox Cathedral, and overturned a city requirement for a specific fire detection system at such public halls.

Religious and community groups call for immigrant fairness

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Community and religious groups are joining together to decry racial profiling in the Pioneer Valley.

NORTHAMPTON— A coalition of religious and community action groups are banding together and calling on area elected officials to fight racial profiling in the Pioneer Valley.

A Community Forum on discriminatory practices against immigrant residents will be held at 6 p.m. December 2 at the First Churches of Northampton at 129 Main Street. The public is invited.

The forum comes on the heels of complaints filed against the Holyoke Police Department last week, accusing it of racial profiling. At the same time the Northampton Police Department has had similar charges levied against it, Jamie Pizha, leader of the Iglesia Quechua Bautista Nueva Vida in Northampton said.

Reverend Todd Weir joins Pizha and Pastor David Ortega, as well as Just Communities/Commendades Justas of Springfield in calling for immigration reform and fairness for immigrants residents.

"Our immigration system is broken and is criminalizing innocent people who we have given initiative to be here," Weir said.

At least 8 dead after police helicopter crashes onto crowded pub in Scotland

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The number of fatalities is expected to rise, officials said, as emergency workers sifted through wreckage Saturday.

GLASGOW, Scotland (AP) — Scottish authorities raised the death toll to eight people Saturday in the crash of a police helicopter into a crowded Glasgow pub, stressing that a rescue and recovery operation is ongoing and it is unclear what they will find when the aircraft's wreckage is moved.

The higher death toll was news that "everybody had been both dreading and expecting," Scottish Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said.

Chief Constable Stephen House said three of the dead were found in the helicopter, which was carrying two police officers and a civilian pilot when it crashed through the roof of The Clutha pub late Friday.

They "were our colleagues," House said, bowing his head and taking a long pause and swallow. He said the five other fatalities were found inside the building and 14 people remain hospitalized with serious injuries.

House wouldn't say if more people are believed to be inside the pub, explaining that the helicopter is still "dominating the whole space" in the one-story building and that until the wreckage is cleared "we won't know what is going on" underneath.

The Clutha pub, near the banks of the River Clyde, was packed Friday night and a ska band was in full swing when the chopper slammed through the roof.

Police said there were "well over" 100 people inside the bar at the time of the crash, listening to the music stylings of local ska band Esperanza on the eve of St. Andrew's Day, Scotland's official national holiday.

"This is a black day for Glasgow and Scotland but it's also St Andrew's Day, and it's a day we can take pride and courage in how we respond to adversity and tragedy," Scottish leader Alex Salmond said, later ordering that flags outside government buildings be flown at half-staff.

Queen Elizabeth II said her thoughts and prayers were with the victims, while Prime Minister David Cameron offered to support the Scottish government "in any way" and praised emergency services plus "the bravery of ordinary Glaswegians" who rushed to help.

It was not immediately clear what the helicopter was doing in the area prior to the crash. Police and air safety investigators say it's too early to say or speculate on why the Eurocopter EC135 T2 helicopter came down on the pub's roof, close to a helipad on the riverbank.

Specialist teams worked throughout through the night and day on the rescue and recovery effort, with police saying the scene was extremely dangerous because the building was unstable.

"We are dealing with a very sensitive investigation and operation here," House said. "It will go on for many days yet."

Search and rescue dogs were on the scene for much of Saturday, more than 100 firefighters participated in the rescue effort and crews trained in shoring up unstable building, excavating and seeking out casualties aided in the huge operation.

With the scene cordoned off, groups of people huddled around police tape, some visibly upset and crying. A blue tarpaulin had been spread on the roof of the Clutha bar, but for much of the day the shapes of the blades and mangled fuselage were clearly visible from the street.

John McGarrigle, 38, said that he believed his 59-year-old father, also named John, had died in the crash.

The younger McGarrigle, who described his father as a regular at the bar who sat in the same seat every night, had arrived on the scene shortly after the crash and stayed all night.

"His friend told me she went to the toilet, heard the noise and went back into the bar," he said. "He was gone. There was nothing left where he'd been sitting."

The crash Friday at around 10:30 p.m. sent dozens of patrons fleeing through a cloud of dust. Witnesses spoke of people streaming out of the building covered in blood, with gashes and other injuries.

Local resident Paul Dundas, 26, told how he heard a loud bang and looked out of his window to see a plume of dust rising above the pub.

"At first I thought it was a firework," he said, describing the "horrible scene" he discovered upon going down to the street level.

"People were covered in blood and dust. Other people were dragging them away from the bar and trying to get them out," he said. "Everyone was in shock, but people were helping and asking strangers if they were OK. I saw a couple help each other clean up their faces.

The twin-engine Eurocopter is widely used by police and ambulance services.

In 2007, a Eurocopter EC135 T2 crashed in southern England. The pilot and his wife were unhurt, but the aircraft was badly damaged. Britain's Air Accidents Investigation Branch said there had been a failure of the autotrim system which maintains the aircraft's position. The agency recommended changes to correct the problem.

Esperanza, the band which was playing in The Clutha when the crash occurred, joined in the heaps of praise showered on rescue officials.

"Waking up and realizing that it is all definitely horribly real," the band wrote on its official Facebook page. "Despite the situation everyone was so helpful and caring of each other. The police, ambulances, firefighters all did a stellar job and continue to do so today."

Glasgow, a city of about 600,000 people, has transformed its traditional image of being a rough and tumble city to one with a vibrant music and arts scene. It was also among the cities that hosted Olympic soccer matches in 2012 and will hold the Commonwealth Games in 2014.


Springfield police investigating robbery at TD Bank

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The robbery was reported at approximately 11:30 a.m.

police lights.jpg 

SPRINGFIELD - Police responded to a robbery at TD Bank at 561 Sumner Ave. on Saturday morning.

Police report that a suspect is in custody in connection with the robbery, which happened at approximately 11:30 a.m.

More details will be posted as they become available.

Obituaries today: Ronald Cierpial was owner of Cierpial Memorial Funeral Homes in Chicopee, Chicopee Falls

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Obituaries from The Republican.

 
113013-ronald-cierpial.jpgRonald Cierpial  

Ronald D. Cierpial, 72, of Chicopee, died on Thursday. He was the owner of the Cierpial Memorial Funeral Homes in Chicopee and Chicopee Falls. A 1958 graduate of Chicopee High School, he graduated from New England Institute of Embalming and Sanitary Science in 1959. He worked for his father until he and his wife bought the business in 1987. He also worked for several funeral homes in the area including Ascher-Zimmerman Memorial Chapel, Agawam Funeral Home, Firtion-Adams Funeral Service, Leete-Stevens Funeral Homes and Kapinos Mazur Funeral Home.

Obituaries from The Republican:


Springfield police investigate separate stabbing and shooting incidents

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Three men were injured during a closing time fight at a Worthington Street bar, and an unrelated shooting incident on Armory Street kept police busy.

SPRINGFIELD— Three people suffered stab and slash wounds during a closing time fight in front of a Worthington Street bar early Saturday morning.

Springfield Police Lt. Thomas Maccini confirmed that a fight involving several people was reported as a disturbance at approximately 1:55 a.m. in front of the Lux Lounge at 90 Worthington Street. The first officers on the scene did not see the fight, but did find blood in the street in front of the bar, Maccini said.

Approximately 20 minutes later, three males walked into the emergency room at the Baystate Medical Center seeking treatment for slash type wounds. They told detectives they were at the Lux incident.

The three were treated and released, but remained uncooperative with police at they attempted to investigate the assault.

An unrelated shooting incident was reported on Armory Street, not long after the Lux Lounge fight. Maccini confirmed that the city's acoustic gunfire location system, ShotSpotter, activated at approximately 2:35 a.m., indicating eight shots were fired on the sidewalk in front of 79 Armory St. Detectives searched the area and found several spent shell casings. However, no one was apparently injured and whoever shot the rounds fled the area before police arrived on the scene.

Reader Raves 2014: Winter-Spring Raves voting extended

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SPRINGFIELD – There’s still more time for readers of The Republican and MassLive.com to share their views on wonderful things in the Pioneer Valley. Voting had been due to wrap up on Dec. 1 for the winter-spring 2014 edition of Reader Raves, the twice-a-year survey of Western Massachusetts happenings, highlights and not-to-be-missed gems. Organizers say they will extend the...

SPRINGFIELD – There’s still more time for readers of The Republican and MassLive.com to share their views on wonderful things in the Pioneer Valley.

Voting had been due to wrap up on Dec. 1 for the winter-spring 2014 edition of Reader Raves, the twice-a-year survey of Western Massachusetts happenings, highlights and not-to-be-missed gems.

Organizers say they will extend the voting an extra week because of the Thanksgiving holiday.

There are 75 categories in which readers can honor their favorite people, places, businesses and activities. The 75 categories fall into the larger categories of News & Business, Lifestyle & Entertainment and Sports.

From where to buy skis to looking ahead to maple sugaring season, there are plenty of categories for readers to share their favorite things, said Mark French, advertising director for The Republican.

Voting will now run through Dec. 8.

Seasonally-based categories include Best Winter Recreation Spot, Best Ski and Snowboard Shop and Best Sugarhouse.

“This is a great opportunity for consumers and area businesses to connect and showcase what makes Western Massachusetts special,” said French.

Reader Raves encourages area businesses to promote the contest to their customers through social media, including Facebook and Twitter, and to encourage their friends and employees to support them by voting. 


State Fish & Game will build boat access ramp in Easthampton at Nashawannuck Pond

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EASTHAMPTON – Easthampton got more good news recently - the state Department of Fish & Game will pay for and build a boat ramp at Nashawannuck Pond. The city also learned in the same month that it received a $400,000 Parkland Acquisitions and Renovations for Communities grant to build a boardwalk around the pond. The agreement with Fish & Game...

EASTHAMPTON – Easthampton got more good news recently - the state Department of Fish & Game will pay for and build a boat ramp at Nashawannuck Pond.

The city also learned in the same month that it received a $400,000 Parkland Acquisitions and Renovations for Communities grant to build a boardwalk around the pond.

The agreement with Fish & Game was signed in November and will cost about $200,000, Mayor Michael A. Tautznik said.

He said the city has wanted a ramp there but “we couldn’t justify it,” he said of the expense. But through a series of conversations, city officials found out that the state had money and wanted to build a ramp for boaters with non-motorized boats to use.

He said while it won’t have wide appeal “it’s a good resource for boaters. “

The area will include 10 parking spaces, including five for boat trailers.

“I didn’t think we’d be able to get it done,” he said.

The Fish & Game department provides boat access off Route 5 now.
The city will be responsible for putting up signs, removing trash and picking up litter, according to the agreement.

The pond was created in 1847 by the Williston - Knight Button Company to provide a steady source of water source to the mills.

The 31-acre pond was dredged in 2010 and restocked with fish.

Holyoke High and Dean Tech could lose full-school-day police presence under budget tightening

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The city spends more than $135,000 a year to post police officers at both high schools daily.

HOLYOKE -- Police officers have been stationed at both city high schools for security for about 20 years, but budget tightening could reduce that to periodic checks and as-needed responses, officials said.

The School Committee is likely to discuss the possibly reduced police presence Monday at 6:15 p.m. at Dean Technical High School, 1045 Main St., committee Vice Chairman Devin M. Sheehan said Friday.

Sheehan estimated police officers have been stationed at Holyoke High School, 500 Beech St., and Dean for 15 to 20 years. The presence helps form relationships between police and young people besides posting security, he said.

"We have to be concerned about the safety and security of our students and staff," Sheehan said.

Mayor Alex B. Morse said he asked all department heads, including Police Chief James M. Neiswanger, to restrict spending for the rest of the fiscal year. The city is experiencing a drain on free cash that is larger than in recent years, partly to balance the budget with lower-than-expected property valuations yielding less revenue.

The plan could be revisited, said Morse, chairman of the School Committee.

"It's an ongoing discussion," Morse said.

Stationing an officer daily at both facilities for the school year costs $135,358, which comes from the Police Department budget. The plan set to begin Dec. 2 is for the two officers permanently stationed at the high schools to return to the regular rotating patrol schedule to reduce overtime spending when other officers take time off or are out sick, according to a memo sent from Neiswanger to Morse last week.

The department has two other officers trained for such school work, known as school resource officers. That means four school resource officers would be available on day shifts for school calls, along with other officers and Capt. Manuel Febo, who is liaison between the Police and School departments, Neiswanger's memo said.

"School safety and the safety of the entire city are always a top priority for the Holyoke Police Department. Some of our greatest challenges are delivering more with less," Neiswanger's memo said.

"We are certainly not eliminating our school resource officer program. We are just modifying how those resources are deployed in order to be as fiscally responsible as possible," the memo said.

Superintendent Sergio Paez said he hoped the posting of police in the high schools can continue.

"Police officers are essential to our school(s)," Paez said in an email.

Springfield taxpayers invited to sound off on new tax rates at final hearing

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The City Council is preparing to set the tax rates for fiscal year 2014 after two neighborhood hearings.

clodo1photo.JPGClodovaldo Concepcion 

SPRINGFIELD – City Council Finance Committee Chairman Clodovaldo Concepcion said he welcomes taxpayers to have their voices heard before the council sets the tax rates for fiscal year 2014, expected this week.

There have been two recent hearings on the tax rate issue, with both meetings conducted in Sixteen Acres at the Clodo Concepcion Community Center.

The final formal hearing is Wednesday, at 5 p.m., in the council chambers at City Hall. The council will consider approving the new tax rates during a special meeting that immediately follows the hearing.

“I am asking the people to come and participate at the debate of the tax rate,” Concepcion said. “The people pay the taxes and they should be aware of what is going on.”

Council President James J. Ferrera III also urged taxpayers to attend and participate.

The two prior hearings were conducted in late November by the council’s Finance Committee-Property Tax Rate subcommittee, also chaired by Concepcion. Just a few people attended those hearings, he said.

The tax rates are for the current fiscal year, that began July 1, 2013, and ends June 30, 2014. The council sets the residential tax rate for homeowners, and can adjust the burden faced by homeowners and the business-commercial property owners.

Under law, the city mailed out two estimated quarterly bills for the first two quarters of the fiscal year

Once tax rates are approved in December, adjusted bills are mailed for the final two quarters of the fiscal year, reflecting the actual rates.

The final bills are due by Feb. 1 and May 1.

The average single family home is increasing in value from $127,200 in fiscal 2013, to $131,800 this fiscal year. The new value is as of Jan. 1, 2013.

“The rise in the single-family home value is a reflection of the improved real estate market in Springfield,” Assessors Chairman Richard Allen said last week. 


Late Thanksgiving produces run on early-order Christmas trees

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Lopes estimates the family business sold 50 percent more fir trees before Thanksgiving this year than in years past, loading the first on a customer's car on Nov. 3.

CHICOPEE - Christmas tree farmer Susan Lopes saw a run on pre-Thanksgiving orders with the lateness of the holiday this year.

At Paul Bunyan's Farm & Nursery on Fuller Road, Lopes, who has worked at the farm for 27 years and bought it seven years ago, was surrounded on Saturday by a buzz of customers in the holiday spirit.

Friday was even busier, Lopes said.

"We sold lots and lots of trees. Are you doing burgundy, Marty?" she called out to one regular customer looking for decorations. "We're open on weekdays, too, Virginia," she called out to another.

Lopes said she knows at least a quarter of the hundreds of customers she serves each holiday season by name. And this year, many got an early start with Thanksgiving falling very late in November - thus shortening the season between that celebration and Christmas.

The downside for tree growers is they have one less weekend to sell their wares, but the tightened time frame has not negatively impacted Lopes. She estimates the family business sold 50 percent more fir trees before Thanksgiving this year than in years past, loading the first on a customer's car on Nov. 3.

"Our trees have great needle retention, so there's no worries," said Lopes, clad in a thick cable-knit sweater. "Our customers could keep them up until Valentine's Day if they wanted to."

The farm is open seven days a week throughout the holiday season. With more families tagging their trees early, she said she's had to turn hundreds away.

"I can't grow the trees fast enough," Lopes said, noting that a Christmas fir tree takes an average of 16 years to mature.

The late Thanksgiving also tightened the holiday shopping season to the shortest in at least a decade, with 26 days in between the holidays as opposed to 32 last year.


Double stabbing investigated by Springfield police

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Two men were injured, one seriously, in a double stabbing early Sunday morning.

SPRIJNGFIELD— Two men were injured, one seriously, in an early Sunday morning stabbing in the rear parking lot of a Worthington Street apartment building.

Springfield Police Capt. Harry Kastrinakis said the two men, reportedly in their 40s, were transported to the Baystate Medical Center. Kastrinakis said one man sustained serious injuries in the assault behind 1083 Worthington Street.

Detectives are on the scene continuing the investigation into the 4:55 a.m. incident. This is a developing story and additional information will be posted as it becomes available.

Springfield man arrested after reported gun assault

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A Springfield man was arrested and a handgun confiscated after he pointed the gun and allegedly threatened people.

SPRINGFIELD— A Springfield man was arrested on a number of assault and firearm-related charges after police chased him down in Streans Square after he reportedly threatened two people with a gun.

Springfield Police Capt. Harry Kastrinakis said 30-year-old Alexis Laboy was arrested after police located him in Stearns Square and several officers struggled with him to take him into custody. Kastrinaks said Laboy attempted to pull his gun on officers, but they were able to prevent him from using the weapon.

According to police reports, two people apparently got into a confrontation with Laboy near the intersection of Dwight and Worthington streets at approximately 2 a.m. The complaintants said Laboy pulled a semi-automatic handgun from his waist band and pointed it at them threateningly. After a few moments, they said he put the gun back under his coat and walked away from the area.

The people involved contacted police and gave them a description. Within minutes, officers patrolling nearby recognized Laboy and converged to make the arrest. A .40 cal. semi-automatic handgun along with a magazine of cartridges was confiscated from Laboy's waistband. The witnesses later identified the suspect as the man who threatened them.

Kastrinakis said Laboy is being charged with a number of offenses, including three counts of assault with a dangerous weapon, two counts of assault and battery on a police officer, possession of a loaded firearm, possession of a firearm without a license, resisting arrest, use of a firearm in the commission of a felony and failure to surrender a firearm in compliance with a restraining order.

Laboy will be arraigned in Springfield District Court Monday.

Toy for Joy campaign has $145,000 left to raise following 1st week of donations

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One of the contributors the first week was Wel-Design Alarm Systems, Inc., of Wilbraham, a maker of fire security alarm systems.

2013 Toy for Joy coupon.jpgView full sizeTo get a printable version of this coupon to mail in with your donation, click on "view full size," above. 

SPRINGFIELD - The Toy for Joy campaign had a great first week this with $4,486 donated, but that still leaves $145,514 left to raise by Christmas Eve to meet this year’s $150,000 fund-raising goal.

One of the contributors the first week was Wel-Design Alarm Systems, Inc., of Wilbraham, a maker of fire security alarm systems. The company donated $1,725.

Besides Wel-Design Alarms Inc. there were 46 other contributors to Toy for Joy the first week, with many donations being made in memory of family members.

Toy for Joy welcomes all donations, regardless of size, to help needy families celebrate Christmas with their children.

Wel-Design Alarms Inc. donated to last year’s Toy for Joy fund as well.

Last year Wel-Design Alarms Inc. vice president Jack Welch called donating to Toy for Joy a 20-year tradition for his family.

The Toy for Joy campaign is sponsored by The Republican and the Salvation Army, with the help of campaign partner Hasbro of East Longmeadow, which donates a portion of the toys for the campaign.

Needy families with children 16 and under can register beginning Monday for toys for their children.

Registration begins Monday and runs to Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Springfield unit at Greater Springfield Citadel, 170 Pearl Street.

“We’re all set up for registration,” said Salvation Army co-captain John Ferreira.

Registration will be Dec. 9 to Dec. 20 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Holyoke unit, until Dec. 6 at the Westfield unit and from Dec. 2 to Dec. 3 from 9 a.m. to noon at the Greenfield unit.

For more information, call 413-733-1518.

Last year Toy for Joy served 3,021 families and 14,199 children.

Similar numbers are expected this year, Ferreira said.

Co-captain Ronda Ferreira said that each child who is registered will receive an age-appropriate toy, game and book.

For more information, call 733-7581. To make a contribution to the Toy for Joy fund, write: Toy for Joy, P.O. Box 3007, Springfield 01102. Contributions may also be dropped off with the coupon at The Republican, 1860 Main St., Springfield, weekdays between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. until Dec. 24.

Toy registration
Here are the times for families to register at Salvation Army sites for the 91st annual Toy for Joy campaign:
Springfield
Greater Springfield Citadel: 170 Pearl St., Springfield; Dec. 2-6, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.; for info, call (413) 733-1518; serves Agawam, Chicopee, East Longmeadow, Hampden, Ludlow, Palmer, Mon´son, Springfield, Ware, West Springfield, Wilbraham
Greenfield
Greenfield Service Center: 72 Chapman St., Greenfield; Dec. 2-3, 9 a.m.-noon; for info, call 773-3154; serves Hampshire and Franklin counties
Holyoke
Holyoke Citadel: 271 Appleton St., Holyoke; Dec. 9-20, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.; for info, call (413) 532-6312; serves Holyoke, South Hadley, Granby
Westfield
Westfield Service Center: 12 Arnold St., Westfield; through Dec. 6, weekdays 9 a.m.-noon; for info, call (413) 568-1256; serves Westfield, Southwick, Russell, Chester, Granville and hilltowns
Required documentation
Participants must bring the following documents: Photo ID for head of household; proof of address (within the last 30 days); MassHealth cards or other identifying information for any child age 16 or younger; and birth certificates (or passports) for any child age 16 and younger.Latest donations
Here’s a list of the latest contributors:

  • Happy Holidays from Wel-Design Alarm Systems, Inc., $1725

  • Remembering Nana and Dad C and Memere and Papa D from J and B, $75

  • Thinking of Mom and Katie who loved Christmas, $150

  • Loving memory of Carl Duso, $100

  • Merry Christmas everyone from Jane, $50

  • Anonymous, $50

  • For the children from Jack, Laura, Evan and Mark Nelson, $50

  • In memory of our mothers from Erik and Diane, $25

  • Merry Christmas from Mike, Katie, Alyssa an Russell, $25

  • Merry Christmas from Wendy, $100

  • Memory of Borowiec, Casey and Adel families, $20

  • In memory of JFK, $100

  • Martha, $20

  • Anonymous, $25

  • In memory of my running buddies, George Ryan and Ed Hanechak from Ray Crowley, $25

  • In memory of Brodie and Cleo, love Jackie, $5

  • In honor of Hannah and Ben, $50

  • In memory of the Dudek and Smith families, $20

  • In memory of Philip Mirarchi, Rose, Hugo, Roger Sedran and John Albano, $50

  • Paul and Mary Perron, $100

  • Mr. and Mrs. Farrell, $100

  • Teresa, $10

  • In memory of Ken, Margaret and Beth Wallace from Peggy, $15

RECEIVED, $3,910
TOTAL TO DATE, $4,486
STILL NEEDED, $145,514
 

Community preservation funds in Massachusetts bolstered by $25 million from state budget surplus

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In order to adopt the community preservation law and therefore receive a state match, voters in a city or town need to approve a local surcharge up to 3 percent on property tax bills.

BOSTON — Cities and towns around the state this year are benefiting from a doubling of state-matching money for a program that raises local funds for land conservation, historic preservation and affordable housing.

The state contribution, totaling $55 million, doubled from last year mainly because the program – the Community Preservation Act – for the first time received $25 million from the state budget surplus.

Each year since 2003, communities have received a state match if voters have adopted the act by approving a property tax surcharge of up to 3 percent to raise local money.

A total of 148 communities on Nov. 15 received a state contribution, including about 30 in Western Massachusetts.

Previously, the state money came strictly from $10 and $20 fees on real estate transactions. Now, the money from the real estate fees is being bolstered by the $25 million from the budget surplus for the fiscal year ending June 30.

About $400 million in state dollars has been pumped into the program over 12 years, starting in 2003.

Stuart Saginor, executive director of the Community Preservation Coalition, said the coalition is "very grateful" that state legislators and Gov. Deval L. Patrick recognize the importance of the preservation act.

Saginor said supporters of the act will work to renew the provision for $25 million in next year's state budget.

"It's a program that generates a lot of jobs and economic activity and preserves the quality of life for close to half the municipalities in the state that have adopted the Community Preservation Act," Saginor said.

The money can be used for historic preservation, open space, affordable housing and recreation.

A bipartisan effort on Beacon Hill, including Rep. Stephen Kulik, a Worthington Democrat, and House Minority Leader Bradley H. Jones Jr. of North Reading, prompted approval of the $25 million from the surplus.

All communities in the program will receive a 52.2 percent match on the first round of the state distribution this year, or twice as much as last year's 26.6 percent initial match, according to the coalition.

Communities that approved the full 3 percent property tax surcharge will receive additional state money during the second and third rounds.

State matching money began to plummet after hitting a peak of $68 million in 2008, because of a real estate slump. Also, more communities adopted the law, further stretching out the state money. State money for the law was about $26 to $28 million annually prior to this year.

Sarah LaValley, community preservation planner for Northampton, which has a 3 percent surcharge, said the city will benefit from a big increase in the state match to $591,261. That's about 64 match on the estimated $928,000 raised locally.

"It will have great benefits for the community," she said.

The city's community preservation committee has voted to recommend $194,500 be used for designing improvements to Pulaski Park, the downtown park that hosts the annual holiday tree lighting.

It would be the first time preservation money would be used in Pulaski Park.

Under a 2012 change to the state community preservation law, funds, including the state match and money generated through the local surcharge, can be used to make capital improvements on existing recreational land that was not created or acquired with funds from the law. Previously, funds could only be used on recreational properties bought or created with those funds.

The committee is also recommending $250,000 for extending the Norwottuck Rail Trail from Leeds to Williamsburg. The project depends on the city obtaining a separate federal grant.

Another $170,000 would go toward purchasing 58 acres at the Saw Mill Hills conservation land off Sylvester Road and an additional $250,000 for restoring the exterior of the South Street Apartments.

Leslie Duthie, chairwoman of the Monson Community Preservation Committee, said the town is very excited to receive $174,618, or 100 percent of the money generated with its surcharge.

"Each town is making a financial commitment," she added. "It's not that we are getting free money from the state."

She listed a number of projects in the works, including completion of repairs to a stone wall at the historic Hillside Cemetery. The town needs to finish restoration to the section of the wall along Thompson Street.

About $100,000 in preservation money was used to restore the windows on the south side of Memorial Hall, a distinctive granite building in the town center listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places.

The building, currently closed to the public, may open next spring with the help of preservation money.

The committee recently approved another $171,750 for restoring windows and doors at Memorial Hall with a provision to first repair code and safety violations to allow the building to open to the public again. The committee also suggested the Monson Historical Commission apply for a state grant to possibly help the restoration.

A total of $70,000 of Community Preservation money was used to help purchase 135 acres of open space off Reimers Road in Monson, but other sources funded the remainder of the $350,000 purchase, Duthie said.

Like many other communities, Monson attempts to direct preservation money to projects that include grants from other sources. In that case, preservation funds can go further, local leaders said.

071212 mittineague park.JPGPaul H. Boudo, chairman of the community preservation committee in West Springfield, said $220,000 in preservation funds and a state grant will pay for an overhaul to Mittineague Park, including new trees, walkways and paths, parking, a community garden, a picnic pavilion and other improvements. 

West Springfield, for example, just received state grants for projects also funded with preservation money.

West Springfield, which has 1 percent surcharge, received $191,615 in state money, or 52 percent of its $366,900 in local funds.

Paul H. Boudo, chairman of the community preservation committee in West Springfield, said $220,000 in preservation funds and a state grant will pay for an overhaul to Mittineague Park, including new trees, walkways and paths, parking, a community garden, a picnic pavilion and other improvements.

A state grant plus $207,000 of preservation money will also be used for West Springfield to purchase land in Southwick for possible expansion of town water wells, he said.

Another $52,295 in preservation funds went toward planting new trees and pruning and removing damaged trees on the West Springfield Town Common. The work, completed about a month ago, was needed following the tornado of June 2011.

Agawam was one of the earliest communities in the state to adopt the program, approving a 1 percent surcharge at the polls in 2001. The town this year received $230,936 state match for $442,193 raised locally.

Henry A. Kozloski, chair of the community preservation committee in Agawam, said $1.6 million in preservation money was used to help create a new park off School Street, including several athletic fields, hiking trails, bocce courts, horseshoe pit, basketball court and a modern children's playground. The committee approved another $1.8 million for a second phase including a band shell, pavilion and picnic areas.

Agawam has used preservation money for various other projects, including upgrading low-income housing for the elderly, purchasing open space next to Agawam High School, and replacing a brass plaque that honors George Washington, who traveled through the town.

About $300,000 in preservation money was used to restore the historic Thomas and Esther Smith House, Kozloski added.

"It's amazing what it has done throughout Massachusetts," he said of the preservation law.

According to the coalition's web site, preservation funds have been approved for about 6,600 projects across the state. Without the preservation money, many of the projects might otherwise be difficult, or impossible, to finance, local officials said.

Some of the funds in Belchertown, for example, were used to help buy 60 acres of forest, ponds and open fields and preserve an historic dam at the Scarborough Brook Recreational Area, buy the development rights of 80 acres of farmland off Bardwell Street, upgrade the Hope United Methodist Church and restore the Lake Vale Cemetery including preserving and repairing gravestones.

In addition, Westfield used some of its preservation money for a strategic housing plan and buying five parcels, or about 3 acres, on Hampton Ponds, including Free Beach, to protect drinking water, wetlands, shoreline and preserving public access, and restoring the historic Joseph Dewey House, the Westfield Whip Factory and City Hall.

East Longmeadow spent preservation funds to renovate the town's original fire station, purchase 76 acres of open space, replace the perimeter fence at the Greenlawn Cemetery where four soldiers from the Revolutionary War are buried, purchase the home and property of the historic Norcross House on Maple Street, scan and digitize the town's historic documents and renovate the 60-year-old Pine Knoll pool.

The state match jumped this year also because Registry fees increased with the improving real estate market.

Because the state distributed the money a month later than usual this year, the match included an additional month in Registry fees, the coalition said.

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