Williamsburg officials salute $1.1M fine on solar developer
A sediment discharge into the West Branch of the Mill River in Williamsburg from a solar development is shown in November 2018. MASSACHUSETTS DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
Published: 2/4/2021 8:11:53 PM
WILLIAMSBURG Town officials reacted positively to a solar developer agreeing to pay a more than $1 million settlement for damaging wetlands and polluting the Mill River.
Dynamic Energy Solutions LLC has agreed to pay $1.14 million to settle an April 2020 lawsuit filed by Attorney General Maura Healey’s office that alleged that the company disregarded pollution control requirements when constructing a solar array at the former sand and gravel pit on 103 Briar Hill Road.
Editorial: More train service? They think they can
Published: 7/1/2016 6:01:30 PM
When it comes to passenger rail serving Greenfield and points south, the Franklin Regional Council of Governments is taking on the persona of the Little Engine that Could.
We’re thankful that the COG is keeping the plans for expanded passenger train service on some kind of track. Otherwise, the Amtrak Montrealer, with its once-a-day service up and down the Pioneer Valley, might be the only rail travel stopping in Greenfield and Northampton.
Admittedly, getting more daily passenger trains running to Springfield, to connect with other rail service or for people who work or visit, isn’t on any kind of express track.
Report: Challenging economic times remain in Amherst due to COVID’s impact
A view of Main Street in downtown Amherst on Saturday afternoon, March 14, 2020. GAZETTE FILE PHOTO
By SCOTT MERZBACH
AMHERST Even if the University of Massachusetts can function normally in the fall following the significant disruptions caused by the pandemic, Amherst’s economy may not bounce back right away, according to a Pioneer Valley Planning Commission analyst.
“The bottom line is we should be prepared for a lot more pain in the pipeline,” Douglas Hall, a Pioneer Valley Planning Commission data manager told the Planning Board and Town Council at a joint meeting last week.
2 months ago in Local Denise Vozella Photo: WHMP
BOSTON (AP) – Massachusetts plans to have 165 vaccination sites available by mid-February and has moved older adults ahead in receiving the COVID-19 vaccine. Gov. Charlie Baker said Monday that people age 75 and older will now be in the first priority group in Phase Two of the distribution plan, which starts Feb. 1. Those who are 65 and older and individuals with two or more comorbidities will now be in the second priority group. Also Monday, the number of newly confirmed coronavirus deaths rose by 45 while the number of newly confirmed cases of COVID-19 increased by nearly 3,500.
Survey asks whether Agawam is an ‘age-friendly’ town
Updated Jan 21, 2021;
AGAWAM Census data will tell you Agawam’s getting older. What it doesn’t say is what other changes will follow.
For that, town officials are conducting their own survey, and they are asking all adults in Agawam to share their thoughts on how the town can accommodate its graying population. The survey, which is available online and in print, asks questions about retirees’ housing, healthcare, transportation, recreation and social needs, and how well they are being met today.
“My intent with this is that it becomes a foundation from which we continue to build our services,” said Senior Center Director Michael Squindo, who serves on the committee that commissioned the survey. “There should be no limitation on what we can achieve, if we put our minds to it.”