McCarthy holds a law degree and has been an assessor for 20 years.

CHICOPEE - Laura McCarthy, an assessor for the city for 20 years, is announcing her candidacy for re-election.

McCarthy and Brian Suchy are the only two candidates running for the two available slots, but the highest vote-getter will receive a four-year term while the other candidate will serve for two years.

"My favorite part of being an assessor is helping Chicopee taxpayers understand the property tax laws and tax assistance programs that can help some people who are over 65 and veterans," McCarthy said.

McCarthy has served as chairwoman of the Board of Assessors since 2011. Before becoming an assessor, she practiced law in Chicopee for more than 10 years.

McCarthy holds a law degree from New England School of Law, a bachelor's degree from the University of Massachusetts in Amherst and is a Comprehensive High School graduate.

"Many people are not aware of the many roles and responsibilities of an assessor. Our job includes data collection, the assessment of new residential and commercial properties such as Mercedes Benz, city financial matters, and computers and office management. As a data collector, I visit homes that have sold to confirm the features and measurements and visit properties that have building permits to confirm the work is done. I also visit businesses to view machinery and equipment because state law requires a tax on these items," she said.

McCarthy said she is also a computer specialist, since she must enter and review property features to guarantee values are based on accurate data. She also analyzes information by dates, neighborhoods and types of houses to ensure values are fair and equitable.

State and municipal tax laws and codes are always changing and McCarthy pledged to continue to work to learn about new laws and requirements.

"I am also a financial officer for the city and work with the Department of Revenue to ensure that our values are approved and our new growth is properly calculated. I prepare the paperwork for the City Council to set the tax shift, and work with the auditor to set the tax rate," she said.

McCarthy, the daughter of Regina Sullivan and James McCarthy, is a widow. She has a son who attends Chicopee public schools.

The Town of Hampden has applied for a MassWorks grant to help pay for bringing public water and sewer service to the northwestern section of town, including dozens of homes and businesses along Hampden's primary commercial district bordering Allen Street.

HAMPDEN -- The Town of Hampden has applied for a MassWorks grant to help pay for bringing public water and sewer service to the west side of town, potentially benefiting dozens of homes and businesses in and around Hampden's primary commercial district on Allen Street.

The portion of the project not covered by the state grant would be funded by a bond, which would be repaid using incremental tax revenues from the commercial and residential properties that would tie in to the water and sewer line. 

Proponents of the project say it would be good for Hampden's bottom line, sparking development, creating jobs and growing the town's tax base, while others think it might jeopardize Hampden's small-town look and feel and only benefit a minority of properties in town. 

Officials at Rediker Software, Hampden's largest employer and a leading provider of school administrative software, say they are eager to hook up to the service.

"Rediker Software would definitely want to connect to the new water-sewer pipeline, as these services would benefit our growing business in multiple ways," said Andrew Anderlonis, president of the nearly 40-year-old company at the corner of Wilbraham and Somers roads. 

"We were already considering and talking about hooking into it when it happens," he said Friday.

GreatHorse, another large employer in town, also supports the initiative. The high-end golf and country club is located along a stretch of Wilbraham Road that would be included within the water-sewer expansion zone. 

"We are proud to support the Town of Hampden's MassWorks application," Bryan Smithwick, general manager of GreatHorse, said Thursday.

The business, which has already invested tens of millions in its Hampden facility and employs about 170 full- and part-time workers, has plans to develop housing on its land within the Wilbraham Road corridor. But in order for GreatHorse to expand, certain zoning changes and water and sewer service are required.

Hampden currently has no sewers or public water supply, relying on wells for drinking water and septic systems for residential and commercial wastewater.

The state grant would pay for $2 million of the estimated $4.8 million cost of laying 2 1/2 miles of pipeline to extend water and sewer hookups to Hampden's core commercial district and surrounding residential areas. The town would issue bonds to cover the balance of the project, which would not extend to the community's more rural southern, central and eastern sections.

Over 100 existing residential properties along the proposed sewer route would be eligible to connect to the pipeline, "creating a clean, cost-effective alternative to their potentially failing septic systems," the MassWorks grant application states. The executive officer or designee for the grant is John D. Flynn, chairman of the Hampden Board of Selectmen and co-owner of Hampden Engineering Corp., an East Longmeadow company that manufactures educational training equipment.

Around 10 existing commercial properties and multiple community buildings along the proposed sewer route -- including the churches, Police Department and Senior Center on Allen Street, and Rediker, GreatHorse and Thornton W. Burgess Middle School on Wilbraham Road -- as well as several side streets abutting the route would be eligible to connect to the pipeline.

Another benefit is the installation of about two dozen fire hydrants along the proposed route for the main water line, which would provide "increased fire protection for the town," the application states.

The debt service on the $2.8 million bond would be paid for with "revenues generated from commercial and residential investments made because of this public infrastructure improvement project," Flynn wrote in the application.

To facilitate the project, Hampden voters will be asked to consider an article at Monday's fall town meeting to create a "district improvement financing" program, or DIF, to channel dollars into a targeted redevelopment district. The state-supported "smart growth" tool allows municipalities to use incremental real estate property tax revenues to pay for public infrastructure improvements within the designated district.

In the case of Hampden, the debt service on the bond would be paid for with incremental tax revenues from the development of properties within the "Allen Street / Wilbraham Road Improvement District," as the DIF would be called. Improvements within this defined district include the water and sewer extension in the areas of Allen Street and Wilbraham Road, as well as outlying roadways, according to the town meeting article that will be voted on Monday.

Extending sewer service will give homes a chance to transition off of antiquated septic systems, enhance pubic safety through the installation of fire hydrants, enable local businesses to expand and create jobs, and encourage new investment in Hampden, according to project proponents, including GreatHorse.

"Perhaps most importantly, the project would be financed exclusively by the additional tax revenue generated by those businesses or residents who choose to develop, redevelop or add on to a property within the sewer district," said Smithwick, GreatHorse's general manager.

GreatHorse has transformed the former Hampden Country Club into an upscale "lifestyle club," as the Antonaccis, the Connecticut family who own the club, like to refer to their Hampden investment. Family members already run a hauling and recycling business, breed horses for harness racing, and own Sonny's Place, the popular family fun center in Somers.

That Antonaccis are also hoping to expand their business interests in Hampden, a small town located only a few miles from the Springfield city line, but with few of the same business expansion opportunities as other suburbs of Springfield.

"GreatHorse remains committed to creating a world-class destination that complements and enhances the character of this community, and sewer expansion offers an exciting opportunity to achieve this goal," Smithwick said.

Bob Villeneuve, a resident of Steepleview Drive, a subdivision off Main Street that would be included in the new water-sewer district, said he supports the DIF article on Monday's town meeting warrant. Asked if he thinks it will benefit Hampden in the long run, Villeneuve replied, "How could it not?"

As a well owner in a town with no public water, Villeneuve said he can only water his lawn one section at a time, and only sparingly. "I don't have any water pressure," he said.

His neighbor, Jim Quinn, also likes the idea of extending water and sewer lines to the town's developed west side. "I'd like to have the choice (to connect to the line) if I could," said Quinn, who was raised in the Hungry Hill section of Springfield, moved to East Longmeadow, and now calls Hampden home.

Quinn grew up with public water and sewer service but now has to think about overdrawing his well and pumping out his septic tank -- things he would rather handle by paying a monthly bill. "It's something I don't have to worry about," he said.

"I'm 100 percent for it," said Joe LaFleur, a 35-year-old Hampden transplant who works in real estate and moved to town several months ago. 

"I can tell you, the younger people, the millennials, they don't want anything to do with septic and wells when they're looking to buy a home," he said. "I've legit had people turn down houses in Hampden because there's no sewer or water."

With MGM Springfield opening next fall, and GreatHorse's growing reputation as a top-shelf destination, Hampden is poised to attract more people looking for quality services and amenities in a semi-rural environment close to the city, according to LaFleur

"When the casino goes in, there's going to be people looking to maybe bring businesses out here," he said. "There's going to be people who notice the Town of Hampden specifically because of that country club."

Not everyone in town is on board, however. Some local social media sites are percolating with posts by residents concerned about getting stuck with a hefty bill if Hampden's build-it-and-they'll-come gamble doesn't pan out. Some have even proffered theories that GreatHorse plans to take over Hampden, turning the once humble town into a playground for the rich.

"As always, the town gets to make the decision," Flynn, the chairman of the selectboard, said in a recent Facebook post, by way of explaining the town's rationale for proposing the DIF and applying for the MassWorks grant. He also reminded voting residents that they, and they alone, will chart the course of Hampden's future.

"Is this the growth we want?" he said. "It's presented as an option. No decisions have been made. Only you, the residents of Hampden, get to make that call." 

Jack Arute is one of the locals concerned about the MassWorks grant, which is pending before the state Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development, and the DIF article up for consideration at Monday's town meeting.

Arute, in an online post, declared that condominiums and higher taxes are "coming to your neighborhood soon." The Oak Knoll Drive resident has created a Facebook page, Hampdenstrong, which only a handful of people are currently following.

Donald L. Davenport, a Hampden resident and former chief of staff for two-term Massachusetts Attorney General L. Scott Harshbarger, who left office in 1999, is perhaps the most vociferous critic of the plan, even producing his own voters' guide to urge residents to "vote no" on the DIF article.

Davenport's four-page document, which focuses on GreatHorse and no other businesses that might benefit from the sewer line, claims the proposal is an expensive, ill-conceived plan that "provides little to nothing for the residents of Hampden."

Although GreatHorse has not formalized its plans, a general sketch of what the company aims to do is cited in the MassWorks grant under the "private development" portion of the multiphase project.

Preliminary plans call for construction of a 1.3-mile road at an estimated cost of $4.2 million, 44 condos at $17.6 million, and seven to 10 single-family homes at $12.5 million. GreatHorse is currently working on permitting and funding for the project.

The club is also at the "beginning stages" of developing one- to two-bedroom cottages for the use of club members and their families and "potential dormitories for staff living quarters," states the grant application, which Flynn signed "under the pains and penalties of perjury" on Aug. 2. 

In addition to GreatHorse's private investment, "there is a very real potential that other commercial properties along the water-sewer line route will rehab and reuse their current properties and potentially demolish their existing buildings and redevelop their properties," the application states.

The project could jump-start "countless opportunities for commercial growth" and prompt homeowners to reinvest in their properties, according to the document.

According to Flynn, Hampden has had "extensive conversations" with the Springfield Water and Sewer Commission, which would provide water and sewer services to the town, as well as conversations with the Town of East Longmeadow, the so-called pass-through community.

The MassWorks Infrastructure Program, administered by the state Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development in cooperation with MassDOT and the Executive Office for Administration and Finance, provides "one-stop shopping" for municipalities and other eligible public entities seeking public infrastructure funding to support economic development and job creation.

MassWorks is often used by municipalities on behalf of private developers seeking to redevelop properties or create affordable and market-rate housing. 

In Chicopee, for example, the city recently received a $2.64 million MassWorks infrastructure grant for a number of improvements in the municipality's West End, including replacing storm drains, upgrading the sewer system, and replacing a water line that runs through the canal and feeds the Cabotville and Lyman mills. The latter mill is at the center of a proposed redevelopment project that would create over 100 apartments in the former industrial building. 

Earlier this week, the Town of Ludlow received a $3.5 million MassWorks grant to build a new access road for the ambitious Ludlow Mills redevelopment project. The grant will support Ludlow and Westmass Area Development Corp.'s ongoing efforts to transform the historic 1.5 million-square-foot mill complex into commercial, industrial and residential space.

It will cost about $20,000 to replace the 25-year-old units with new ones.

CHICOPEE - The City Council has agreed to replace the heating and air conditioning system at the Parks and Recreation Department building, after learning saying one unit has mostly failed and the second is aging and insufficient to heat or cool the entire building.

The City Council voted 12-0 last week to transfer $20,010 from the city's stabilization account so the units can be replaced before winter.

"We got 25 years out of a heating unit. We did pretty good," said Councilor Stanley Walczak, who worked as the Superintendent of Parks and Recreation before his retirement several years ago.

Correspondence between Parks and Recreation officials and other departments show that maintenance workers began recommending the heating units be replaced starting in 2008.

The Parks and Recreation building at 678 Front St. is heated and cooled with two units located on the roof of the building. The air conditioning on one no longer works and it provides minimal heat. The second is insufficient to heat and cool the entire building, Richard Maciolek, assistant director of Parks and Recreation, said.

"We have a lot of programs going on in that building. We have to make sure they (the heating units) are in good shape," Walczak said.

Because the units are on the roof, the city will have to hire a crane or other type of lift to replace them. There are also plans to repair or replace some roof shingles near the units as well as the flashing that surrounds the units since there is some leaking in that area of the roof, Mayor Richard J. Kos said.

The Springfield Rescue Mission provides shelter to hundreds of men each year. Through the donation drive, it aims to provide men, women and children with a new pair of underwear, socks and a T-shirt.

SPRINGFIELD -- The Springfield Rescue Mission is collecting new underwear, socks and T-shirts for distribution to the homeless.

"As the weather starts getting colder, donating a new set of underclothing is an easy way to show the love of Christ to someone who has not had a clean pair of undergarments," said Rescue Mission Event Coordinator Barbara Brizzolari in a statement. "Very often Spiritual healing begins with physical needs being met."

The Sunday Undie/Monday Undie program seeks to engage local churches, businesses and individuals in helping those who stay at the Rescue Mission's shelter and take part in its rehabilitation program. Donations also may be dropped off at the Rescue Mission.

The Rescue Mission started Sunday Undie/Monday Undie collection more than two decades ago.

According to the organization, a local attorney who had lost everything to drinking walked into the Rescue Mission one day seeking a place to shower. As he showered, staff replaced his clothes with new underwear, a T-shirt and socks, as well as gently used, clean clothing.

A couple of years later, the Rescue Mission received a letter with a donation check inside. It was from the man staff had helped years before. He explained that he ended up in the Midwest and pulled his life back together. He established a law firm and received a settlement check from a case, which he sent to the Rescue Mission with instructions to use it to buy new underwear for people.

Donations may be dropped off at the Rescue Mission, 10 Mill St., Springfield, through Nov. 15. Items most needed include:

• Men's boxer briefs, sizes small, medium, large and extra-large.
• Men's T-shirts, sizes large, extra-large and extra-extra-large (as well as some 3XL and 4XL).
• Ladies' underwear, sizes 6-10.
• Socks for all, including children.

All other sizes and regular briefs are welcomed.

Longmeadow will use electronic Poll Pads at polling places during the Nov. 7 election, allowing people to choose to check-in using the new devices.

LONGMEADOW -- When voters go to the polls on Election Day this year, workers will use new devices to check them in.

Election workers were trained Oct. 24 to use Poll Pads, which are supposed to speed up the check-in process and cut down on lines, a statement from the Longmeadow town clerk's office said.

"Historically the process for check-in can be difficult during busy Town Meetings," the statement said. "Gone are the huge voter list books that election workers across the commonwealth have utilized for decades."

Poll workers will also check in people manually for those who don't want to use the new devices.

Three Poll Pads will be available during the Nov. 7 election. Voters may enter the first three letters of their first and last name, or scan their driver's license. There is no ID requirement to use the Poll Pads, the statement said. Two poll workers will monitor the Poll Pads.

"A voter simply needs to have the license ready to hold up in front of a Poll Pad at the check-in table, the Poll Pad scans the back of the driver's license and finds matching information and the election worker will read the name and have the voter verify their address," the statement said. "Voters will continue to receive a voter card."

Trained officers will offer tips on wandering and share a variety of safety information.

CHICOPEE - The Police Department will hold a safety awareness seminar to help parents and caregivers of people who have autism.

The seminar is scheduled for 6 to 8 p.m., Nov. 2 at the Chicopee Public Library, 449 Front St., Michael Wilk, Chicopee Police public information officer said.

Trained officers will cover a variety of issue such as wandering and what to do if someone goes missing and will share a wide variety of other safety tips, he said.

The workshop is free and open to everyone.

At the same time Wilk said he wants to remind people the Police Department has forms that caregivers of anyone who may have Alzheimer's disease, dementia or other types of cognitive disabilities can fill out to help those people if they get lost or have other problems. The information is made available to officers quickly if there is an emergency, he said.

In the wake of the Harvey Weinstein scandal, The Los Angeles Times reported that 38 women had accused Toback of sexual harassment.

Writer and director James Toback, who received an Oscar nomination for writing "Bugsy," dismissed allegations he sexually harassed dozens, if not hundreds, of women as "offensive and insulting and disgusting."

In the wake of the Harvey Weinstein scandal, The Los Angeles Times reported on Oct. 22 that 38 women had accused Toback of sexual harassment. Within days, the newspaper says it received calls from more than 200 women with similar accusations.

Actresses speaking out against Toback included Julianne Moore, Selma Blair and Rachel McAdams.

In an interview posted Friday by Rolling Stone, Toback, 72, ripped into his accusers.

"Lemme be really clear about this. I don't want to get a pat on the back, but I've struggled seriously to make movies with very little money, that I write, that I direct, that mean my life to me," Toback said. "The idea that I would offer a part to anyone for any other reason than that he or she was gonna be the best of anyone I could find is so disgusting to me. And anyone who says it is a lying [expletive]  or [expletive]  or both. Can I be any clearer than that? ...  Anyone who says that, I just want to spit in his or her [expletive]  face."

After being asked about specific individuals and lurid accusations, Toback told the magzine, "It's too stupid to dignify. It's pathetic lies. It's just too [expletive] embarrassing and idiotic. And if I were you, I wouldn't go repeating it, unless you really knew it were true, because it isn't. So that's all I have to say. This is not worth wasting another second on."

Police had neither a warrant nor probable cause to search Brandon Blanks' car, his defense lawyer said.

SPRINGFIELD -- At 32, Brandon Blanks is more than a convicted drug dealer facing new heroin distribution charges, his lawyer explained Friday.

He works as a landscaper, has plumbing skills and earned a GED in 2012, attorney Juan R. Rivera said during a bail argument in Springfield District Court.

"And he's the recent father of twins," Rivera added.

Springfield police arrested Blanks Thursday during a crackdown on drug activity near Boston Road and Parker Street. Neighbors had complained about increased street sales, and an informant identified Blanks as one of the sellers, Assistant District Attorney Cary Szafranski said.

Around 8:30 p.m., detectives spotted Blanks conducting an apparent drug sale on Bexhill Street and pulled his vehicle over minutes later. They seized 50 packets of heroin, 1.5 grams of raw heroin, a digital scale and more than $1,200 in cash, Szafranski said.

She asked for $5,000 cash bail, citing the new charges and Blanks' criminal history, which includes a six-year prison sentence for armed robbery and a 2015 conviction for heroin distribution.

Rivera asked for $2,500 bail, explaining that Blanks and his girlfriend are caring for 2-month-old twins and have little income to spare.

He also challenged the traffic stop leading to his client's arrest. Police had neither a warrant nor probable cause to stop or search Blanks' car, Rivera said.

"There is a very good motion to suppress here," Rivera added.

A 39-year-old New Bedford man was killed and three other people were injured following a multi-vehicle crash on Route 140, Massachusetts State Police reported Saturday.

NEW BEDFORD -- A 39-year-old New Bedford man was killed and three other people were injured following a multi-vehicle crash on Route 140, Massachusetts State Police reported Saturday. 

Troopers responded to reports of fatal crash near Route 140 northbound at the Nash Street overpass in New Bedford around 2:40 a.m. 

According to state police, the crash appears to have occurred when a 21-year-old Fall River woman driving a 2004 Lexus ES 330 had a side swipe collision with a 35-year-old New Bedford woman driving a 2010 Buick Enclave. 

The incident caused the Lexus to go off the right side of the road into the woods while the Buick stopped in the left lane, police said. 

A 20-year-old New Bedford man, who was traveling in a Nissan Altima in the left lane, then appears to have hit the rear of the Buick and stopped in the left lane, as well, according to a preliminary investigation into the crash. 

A 39-year-old New Bedford man, who was a passenger in the Buick, then exited the vehicle and attempted to cross the road to check on the woman in the Lexus when he was reportedly struck by a Toyota Avalon being driven by a 44-year-old New Bedford man, police said.

The drivers of the Lexus and Toyota were transported to Saint Luke's Hospital and the operator of the Buick was transported to Rhode Island Hospital, according to state police. 

The passenger from the Buick, whom police have yet to identify, was also transported to Saint Luke's, where he was later pronounced dead. 

The crash closed Route 140 Northbound for several hours as police conducted an investigation. 

The cause of the incident remains under investigation with assistance from the State Police Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Section, Crime Scene Services Section and Bristol County State Police Detectives. 

Halloween came early in Agawam as an estimated 1,000 party-goers gathered at the Chez Josef for the 30th annual 94.7 WMAS Halloween Ball, Friday.

AGAWAM - Halloween came early in Agawam as an estimated 1,000 party-goers gathered at the Chez Josef for the 30^th annual 94.7 WMAS Halloween Ball, Friday.

The annual event featured two psychic readers, Gary McKinstry and Tina B. who, for a small fee, would attempt to help you and your spirits with a hint from the "other world."

The over-21 party featured specialty drinks and assorted food stations set up throughout the venue. Attendees enjoyed live music with the band Fever and a special performance by Rob Base, an open-air photo booth, and a chance to win a trip for two to Sandals Jamaica.

Also playing a part in the evening's festivities were Williams Distributing, Monster Mash at McCray's, the law offices of Pellegrini Seeley Ryan & Blakesly, Fright Fest at Six Flags New England, Park Cleaners, the Blue Spotlight Project and the Chez Josef. 

SPRINGFIELD - The eagerly anticipated 5th annual Bax & O'Brien live show took over City Stage in downtown on Friday night.

SPRINGFIELD - The eagerly anticipated 5th annual Bax & O'Brien live show took over CityStage in downtown on Friday night.

The show began after a one hour cocktail reception in CityStage's lounge, and the fifth year proved to be a success, boasting a sold out crowd with lots of laughs and nothing held back.

It was a night full of entertainment, including skits, musical performances from Dave Mendell "The Rockin' Robin", a special feature from "Mark from West Springfield" and visits from other show regulars like Scott Coen, formerly of ABC40, and Paul "Fitzy" Fitzgerald from Townie News. 

Originally scheduled to make an appearance, comedian Pat Oates did not make it due to other obligations, but did contribute an animated short entitled "Bax, Yoko & O'Brien" a play on John Lennon's "Imagine," poking fun at the engaged Mike Baxendale.

This year'd event was sponsored by Curry Honda & Curry Nissan, Nor' Easter Organic Life, Planet Fitness and Rock 102, Springfield's classic rock station.

View photos from the show above, and for more info about Bax & O'Brien visit their website here.

One person has reportedly been transported to an area hospital after an early morning pedestrian-involved crash.

SPRINGFIELD -- One person has been transported to an area hospital following an early morning pedestrian-involved crash, according to news reports.

Springfield Police told WWLP that officers responded to the intersection of Lyman and Dwight Streets around 2 a.m. Saturday for reports that a person had been hit by a vehicle. 

The person was taken to the hospital, but the extent of their reported injuries is unclear, according to the news outlet. 

This is a breaking news story and will be updated as more information becomes available.

Police said seven unsecured firearms were found in Donald Faber's home: a SKS assault rifle, a 12-gauge shotgun, two Mossberg rifles, two handguns and a BB gun.

SPRINGFIELD -- A Springfield man who allegedly opened fire on paintball players in his neighborhood will ask a judge to throw out evidence seized during a search of his home.

Donald M. Faber, 63, fired 12 shots at paintball players near his Park Drive home on July 5, according to the arrest report, triggering a large police response that led to his arrest on assault and firearms charges.

Faber, a self-employed carpenter, pleaded not guilty to three counts of assault with a dangerous weapon and one count each of discharging a firearm within 500 feet of a building and possessing a large-capacity feeding device.

While searching his home, Springfield police allegedly found seven unsecured  firearms: an SKS assault rifle, a 12-gauge shotgun, two Mossberg rifles, two handguns and a BB gun. The weapons were seized and Faber was charged with an additional seven counts of improper storage of a firearm.

During a pretrial hearing last week, defense lawyer Bernard O'Connor said he plans to file a motion challenging the police search, which was conducted without a warrant.

Judge Michael Mulcahy set a filing deadline of Dec. 1, and scheduled arguments on the motion for Dec. 14, court records show. The prosecution expects to call three to five witnesses for the hearing, while the defense will call one, records show.

No trial date has been set, but prosecutors are scheduled to turn over any remaining evidence to the defense by Nov. 14.

Faber is free on $25,000 cash bail, set previously by Judge Charles W. Groce III in Springfield District Court.

Police in Springfield discovered a body behind the Big Y on St. James Avenue on Saturday morning, according to Western Mass News.

Police in Springfield discovered a body behind the Big Y on St. James Avenue on Saturday morning, according to Western Mass News. 

Emergency responders were at stationed at the store in the loading dock area as Springfield Fire Department spokesman Dennis Leger confirmed a body had been found. 

This is a developing story. Stay with The Republican/MassLive for more information as it becomes available.

People close to former Republican presidential contender and Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney say the 70-year-old plans to run for U.S. Senate in Utah next year, reports The Atlantic.

People close to former Republican presidential contender and Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney say the 70-year-old plans to run for U.S. Senate in Utah next year, reports The Atlantic. 

The scenario presents itself as Orrin Hatch, the longest serving Senate Republican in U.S. history, reportedly plans to step down from his seat at the end of his present term. 

Hatch, 84, has occupied the seat for 40 years. According to the magazine, he has told staff and others close to him he plans to retire. 

Although Hatch's staff denied him having made a "final decision," Derek Miller, the Republican CEO of Utah's World Trade Center, told the magazine the plan for Hatch to step down and Romney to run had been "reported to me as a 'done deal.'"

"If Romney runs, I will fully support him," Miller told the Atlantic. 

A Romney spokesperson declined to comment on the matter. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell months ago told reporters he had spoken to Romney about his interest in running for the seat.  

The magazine relied on anonymous sources for the story, who detailed private discussions surrounding both men and the apparently coordinated nature of the plan.  

Since losing his presidential bid in 2012 to Barack Obama, Romney has kept an active voice in Republican politics. His attempts to intervene as then-candidate Donald Trump was running away with the Republican primaries proved unsuccessful, but Romney has remained vocal in his criticism of President Trump. 

"The consensus among political insiders in the state is that Romney will win easily if he runs," The Atlantic reported. "And several potential candidates have already signaled that they will not compete for the seat, given Romney's apparent interest."

A poll commissioned by UtahPolicy.com earlier found Romney receiving 64 percent of the vote against Democrat contender Jenny Wilson.

The Salt Lake Tribune on Sunday printed an editorial saying, "If he decides to run, he would be the leading voice of the Republican Party, and Utah would be his home. Utah would be lucky if Romney decides to run."

Western Massachusetts residents urged Berkshire Museum leaders Saturday to call off a November auction, at which several pieces from the museum's art collection are set to be sold as part of a plan help finance the institution's "New Vision" initiative and bolster its endowment.

PITTSFIELD -- Western Massachusetts residents urged Berkshire Museum leaders Saturday to call off a November auction, at which several pieces from the museum's art collection are set to be sold as part of a plan help finance the institution's "New Vision" initiative and bolster its endowment. 

Dozens rallied outside the downtown Pittsfield museum in opposition to the move -- which the museum leaders have argued is vital to the institution's future -- and to bring attention to an upcoming court hearing which aims to stop the Sotheby's auction set for Nov. 13.

Leslie Ferrin, a Cummington resident and organizer of the Save the Art - Save the Museum group that staged the late-morning protest, said she hopes the rally will encourage the museum's board of trustees to reconsider its decision.

"Pause the sale, bring the art back ... Explore alternatives to viable support for the museum with the art here," she said.

Sharon Gregory, a Great Barrington resident and opponent of the planned art auction, meanwhile, argued that based on her own look at the museum's finance documents, it's financial situation doesn't appear to be as bad as officials say. 

"This seems to be a project they want to engage in and they're trying to find a way to fund it by using the art that has been donated," she offered. "This does not belong to the city of Pittsfield, it's located here, but it belongs to Berkshire County and the general public, it says so in the documents of organization."

Linda Cleary, a Springfield resident who grew up in Pittsfield, also raised concerns about the museum's commitment to serving the community. 

"People are feeling that because the board has been so obstinate and unresponsive and unwilling to consider alternatives that I think now it has become about, even more, what say does the public have about things entrusted for the public good?" she said. 

Berkshire Museum spokeswoman Carol Bosco Baumann, however, contended that the decision to sell the art and move forward in creating an interdisciplinary museum underscores the institution's commitment to the community. 

"The fact that the most popular exhibitions have been science or natural history-related is another thing that's showing how the museum is used by the community," she said. "It's not just an art museum -- art remains part of the mission and it will be a part of the mission -- but, it's not just an art museum: It's arts, science and natural history."

Bosco Baumann added that while the museum understands opponents' concerns and respects their opinions, it has no intention of backing away from it's planned art sale.

"The museum believes that it legally has the right to sell the artwork and that the lawsuits filed against are both factually and legally flawed," she said.

Bosco Baumann told the Berkshire Eagle earlier this week that only 19 of the original 40 will be offered for sale in auctions. Just seven works owned by the museum are scheduled for sale on Nov. 13.

Elizabeth McGraw, president of the Berkshire Museum's board of trustees, added that despite protesters' passion, the board "is also very passionate about" the institution's "New Vision," future and ability to remain sustainable.

"We're confident in moving forward with our 'New Vision' and remaining a community resource for our public school systems, as well as the larger community of the Berkshires," she said. 

McGraw said the board spent about three years looking over the museum's finances, engaging with local residents and considering mergers, cutting back hours and other solutions before coming to the decision to sell the art from its collection. 

"We had to look through other lenses than just the art lens," she said. "We needed to look at the finances and the community and our other collection and insuring our collection and a variety of other things that (opponents) are not looking through. Hopefully we can get more of our vision out there and educate the community as to why we need to do this."

Ferrin, however, noted that a court hearing set for next week could halt the museum's ability to move forward with its upcoming art auction. 

"We'll see on Wednesday at the first of the court hearings," she said. "If there's an injunction, I think that will give everyone the opportunity to have a longer conversation about how to re-envision the art in the museum and bring it back."

Museum to auction off Norman Rockwell paintings to fund future

The Berkshire Museum Board of Trustees and Executive Director Van Shields unveiled their new vision for the downtown Pittsfield institution in July -- a plan that officials said would be paid for by selling off 40 works of art, including two Norman Rockwell paintings the artist donated to its collection. 

Together, the art is expected to fetch more than $50 million, according to reports.

The proposal has drawn pushback from the Massachusetts Cultural Council, American Alliance of Museums, Association of Art Museum Directors, The Association of Art Museum Curators and members of the Rockwell family, some of whom have sought to challenge the sale in court. 

Norman Rockwell's family 'horrified' at Berkshire Museum's plan to auction off paintings, says museum unresponsive to family's letter

The Berkshire Museum, meanwhile, ended its affiliation with the Smithsonian in September, noting that its decision to sell art to fund its new vision would violate an established code of ethics, Shields told the Berkshire Eagle.

The protest came just days after the group sent letters to museum trustees and published an open letter urging against the art sale. 

Nina Garlington and Craig Langlois, the acting directors of the museum, said in a letter posted on the museum's website, that while they understand and respect the group's right to free expression and protest, the museum believes "deeply in our plan for the future."

Garlington, the museum's chief engagement officer, and Langlois, its chief experience officer, took over museum operations this week as Shields went out on medical leave for an undisclosed health issue, according to officials.

Shields will remain out through the end of 2017, the Berkshire Eagle reported.

With 100,000 visitors expected in Salem over Halloween weekend, more than 200 uniformed police were on hand in the city Saturday while others in plain clothes wended their way through the expanding crowd.

With 100,000 visitors expected in Salem over Halloween weekend, more than 200 uniformed police were on hand in the city Saturday while others in plain clothes wended their way through the expanding crowd. 

State police and FBI personnel were also keeping watch on Salem, according to CBS.

"(Authorities will) be on bike, they'll be on foot, and you'll see them deployed at various sectors throughout the downtown," Salem Mayor Kim Driscoll told the television station. "But we'll also have folks positioned who may not be as visible, just keeping an eye on things and monitoring the situation."

Salem police posted on Facebook this week a warning to potential visitors saying not to bring any replica weapons or face arrest. 

Thanks to its morbid history of executing people suspected of being witches, Salem is one of the most popular destinations in the U.S. on Halloween. 

"Placing a member of the Montague Police Department in the position of answering to both the Montague Police Chief and the leadership of the Task Force, where drug investigations would need to remain confidential from the Police Chief, is untenable"

MONTAGUE -- The executive committee of local police departments comprising the 47-community Anti-Crime Task Force for Hampshire and Franklin counties does not trust Montague Police Chief Charles "Chip" Dodge to be involved with any drug investigations, voting earlier this month to keep him banned from participating in the program.

The committee's action stems from a state attorney general investigation of the Montague chief, which began around June 2016, that focused on whether Dodge had taken discarded narcotics from the police department's public drug drop-off box -- something which he supervised at the time.

The Daily Hampshire Gazette on Friday published sections of a letter  Northwestern District Attorney David Sullivan wrote to Dodge referring to the executive committee's decision.

"Placing a member of the Montague Police Department in the position of answering to both the Montague police chief and the leadership of the task force, where drug investigations would need to remain confidential from the police chief, is untenable," the letter said. "This risks eroding the command structure of the Montague Police Department or worse, compromising the safety of those people involved in the dangerous work of drug investigations. This would be an unacceptable risk of the member departments of the task force and/or of any assigned officer from the Montague Police Department."

Although Dodge was not charged with any crimes, the AG investigation resulted in the town's police department being excluded from the Anti-Crime Task Force, and the drop-off box program in town was suspended.

Documents related to the AG investigation of Dodge that were provided to The Republican following a public records request show the chief requesting permission to rejoin the task force.

The town's police department has since been given a green light to resume the drop-off box public service, but Dodge is barred from exercising any authority over the drop-off box for discarded drugs.

The AG did not forward all of the documents related to the investigation, claiming those are exempt from disclosure, and released others that are heavily redacted, as well as some with minor redactions.

Among those is a June 24, 2016 letter from Dodge to the investigators, in which the chief provides them his theories on how narcotics may have gone missing from the public drop-off box -- suggesting that others could have had opportunity to steal from the box.

"After having the time to sit back and digest what is going on, I have done some thinking," the chief wrote to a state police captain in charge of the force's detective unit who is assigned to the AG's office.

"I have come up with information that may help to be of assistance to your investigation," Dodge said.

"We have actually had issues where we suspected that officers may be going into rooms they should not be in but we couldn't prove this," he wrote.

"Some months ago (4 or 5??) my key PD access key fob card and master building key went missing," the chief wrote. "At the time I just figured they had been lost by me and would resurface at some point, however, now I am suspecting someone may have actually taken them, which is why I can't find them. These keys can access my office and closet.

"When a Med Box bag fills up in my closet, I tie the bag and tape the box shut. The box is then piled against the wall in my office awaiting pickup," the chief wrote.

The Recorder published statements by International Brotherhood of Police Officers -- the bargaining unit representing the department's unionized officers and sergeants -- on Oct. 17, in which they rebut any inference the chief may have made linking the rank-and-file to narcotics that went missing from the drug box.

The police union statement said that no officers were interviewed by authorities during the AG investigation, and that they were never suspected of any wrongdoing, or the target of any probe.

"We are disappointed about his suggestion that perhaps one of our police officers may have come into the chief's office after hours and 'helped themselves' to drugs from the drop box," according to the union statement reported in the Recorder.

"Substance abuse is a serious issue and one that has unfortunately plagued both our town and our country for a long time. Montague officers, like police everywhere, are on the front lines of this fight every day. We deal head-on with the unfortunate domino effects of this addiction, including administering life-saving Narcan medicine to overdose victims. The credibility of our members was never in question, and we remain committed to help those impacted by this nationwide epidemic," the statement said.

Dodge did not respond to telephone and email requests for comment.

Included with the documents the AG released, which became available this month after the investigation was completed, is an email, dated September 19, 2016, from a state police sergeant to a commanding officer who were both involved in the investigation.

"Amazing how Chief Dodge acts like he doesn't know what's going on," the email said.

A copy of Montague's 2017 budget posted on the municipal website show's the chief of police salary line item at $104,273

Montague selctmen are scheduled to convene in executive session, at 8 p.m. on Monday "to discuss complaints and potential disciplinary action against a public officer, employee, staff member or individual; votes may be taken," according to the agenda.

The Oct. 30 meeting will begin at 7 p.m. with public comment. The location will be in the upstairs meeting room at 1 Avenue A, in the Turners Falls village.

The Drug Enforcement Agency held their National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on Saturday, and one of the area locations was at the Central High School parking lot in Springfield. Watch video

SPRINGFIELD -- The Drug Enforcement Agency held their National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on Saturday, and one of the area locations was at the Central High School parking lot in Springfield.

DEA special agents and Springfield Police officers, with help from a group from the Western New England University School of Pharmacy, assisted people that drove up with bags of unused prescription drugs.

Unused or expired prescription medications are a public safety issue, leading to potential accidental poisoning, misuse and overdose, according to officials. Proper disposal of unused drugs saves lives and protects the environment.

Special Agent Daniel Pomeroy was quick to point out that with the opioid crisis in the country, this is one way families can help clean out the unused medicines in their homes, thus cutting down the potential for misuse.

Those unable to get out to the event on Saturday should go onto the website: www.takebackday.dea.gov, where information is available on the proper disposal of unused medicines, Pomeroy said.

He also noted that some local police departments have proper disposal containers that can be accessed year-round.

The parade, held for more than 70 years, stepped off from the lodge on Franklin Street shortly before 1 p.m.

WESTFIELD - More than 200 families marched through downtown Westfield on Saturday in the annual Rag Shag Parade, a Halloween celebration organized by the Westfield-West Springfield Elks Lodge.

The parade, held for more than 70 years, stepped off from the lodge on Franklin Street shortly before 1 p.m. Marchers went down Elm, Court and Washington streets before returning to the lodge for refreshments and raffles. 

This year's parade was the fourth dedicated to the memory of Charles Morse, who ran the Elks' efforts for more than 60 years. Ken Premny, the current parade chairman, said he promised Morse that the event would continue in his absence.

It was named in Morse's honor in 2014.

"It's a safe day, and that means quite a bit to the Elks," said Premny. "We don't expect anything back. Just a little recognition, and to help the people of Westfield, make sure the kids enjoy everything."

The Barkyoumb family has marched in the Rag Shag Parade every year for at least a decade. On Saturday, Sarah Barkyoumb and Jason Tanzer took their son Liam Tanzer, who dressed as a U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds pilot in a cardboard airplane.

Liam's grandfather Raymond Barkyoumb spent two days fashioning wings, rockets and a propeller for the nose.

"I made one mistake," said Raymond Barkyoumb with a laugh, pointing to the insignia on Liam's sleeve. "The plane says 'Major Tanzer,' but he's only a sergeant."

Costume contests were held in multiple age groups, including adults, and marchers wound down with free soda and ice cream.

Every child received a free raffle ticket for a chance to win one of four bikes donated by former Westfield Police Capt. Hipolito "Paul" Nunez. The police department donated helmets while several attorneys in town chipped in money for the event.