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By Credit search: For the Athol Daily News

By JAIMEE FRANCIS

Heat pumps, which use electricity rather than directly burning fossil fuel, are a key piece of Massachusetts’ goal of reaching net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. But the state has hit only 1% of its installation target, in large part because...

By GREG VINE

ATHOL – At its meeting Wednesday afternoon, members of the Fire Department Staffing Advisory Committee agreed that the town does need more firefighter/EMTs, but costs for such hires remain a concern.The committee was formed following the defeat of...

By GREG VINE

ATHOL – For a decade or more, Ann Willhite, owner of Deja Vu Women’s Consignment in Athol, has been doing her part to ensure that local residents in need of some warmth during the winter have access to a little comfort, and this year will be no...

By GREG VINE

ATHOL – When asked about his priorities for the year ahead, Town Manager Shaun Suhoski said he’s excited for what could happen in Athol in 2024.“One of my roles, along with the Planning Department,” he continued, “is to try to cultivate projects that...

By GREG VINE

ATHOL – As the new year approaches, Sara Lyman, owner of Athol’s Hometown Realtors, said those in need of housing or are first-time homebuyers should direct their search where competition is light.“Here in New England,” she continued, “that rings true...

By GREG VINE

PHILLIPSTON – Cathy and Eric Olson of Phillipston were recently honored as the community’s Citizens of the Year for 2023.The couple was presented with the award at this year’s annual Memory Tree ceremony.Asked about the choice of the Olsons to receive...

By JAMES PENTLAND

NORTHAMPTON — Utility customers can expect to see lower prices than they paid last winter for the six-month period beginning Feb. 1, which could ease some of the pain felt last year when rates skyrocketed.At a hearing before Senate members of the...

By GREG VINE

ROYALSTON — Town officials have taken the first step toward creation of a master plan for Royalston.On Dec. 19, members of the Selectboard and Planning Board, along with several interested residents, met with Karen Champman, planning and development...

By GREG VINE

ATHOL – There are many popular holiday traditions in North Quabbin—Santa parades, Main Streets made cheerful with festive lighting, toy drives, holiday dinners offered by civic organizations, church Christmas bazaars and more.One longstanding...

By GREG VINE

ATHOL – Nearly three dozen Athol High School students spent Wednesday morning talking with area legislators about the challenges faced by American democracy in the 21st century.Joining them on issues such as the nation’s social problems, privacy and...

By GREG VINE

PHILLIPSTON – Phillips Free Public Library Trustee Sylvia Healey met with the Selectboard on Dec. 13 to present two quotes for lifting and strengthening the floor of the 232-year-old building.One contractor, Art Leray General Contracting of...

By GREG VINE

Monday’s deluge of rain kept area public works crews busy but, for the most part, the heavy precipitation didn’t result in serious problems.Most towns in the region had to deal with blocked culverts, clogged drainage grates and localized street...

By GREG VINE

ATHOL — Athol Town Manager Shaun Suhoski met with the Finance and Warrant Advisory Committee on Dec. 12 to work on amending the town’s fiscal management policies in hopes of further improving the town’s overall financial health, while also enhancing...

By JACOB NELSON

“So much was just about to bloom,” says Suna Turgay of Flowerwork Farm in Northampton. “And then the flooding came.”Warmer, wetter, and less predictable weather are all on the rise in New England as our climate changes. The idea of normal is...

By GREG VINE

PHILLIPSTON — Officials from Phillipston and Templeton are planning to meet with representatives of the State 911 Department to see if an accord can be reached to renew the Regional Emergency Communications Center (RECC) agreement between the two...

By GREG VINE

WINCHENDON – Seven Town Meeting articles totaling over $500,000 may need to wait until next year, due to the town’s free cash not being certified.At the Dec. 11 Fall Town Meeting, those residents in attendance were told that the free cash had still...

By STELLA TANNENBAUM

BOSTON — Massachusetts would become the second state in the nation to ban discrimination based on body size under a proposal aired at a recent hearing of the Legislature’s Judiciary Committee.During a seven-hour hearing in which over 230 people...

By GREG VINE

ATHOL – The future of the Bidwell barn – despite what appears to be unanimous support among Selectboard members for its demolition – has yet to be decided, according to Town Manage Shaun Suhoski.“I don’t know about the Historical Society,” he said,...

By GREG VINE

ATHOL – Representatives of MassWildlife and the engineering firm Tighe & Bond met with residents last Thursday to review plans to deconstruct the Thousand Acre Reservoir Dam.Todd Olanyk, central district supervisor for MassWildlife, provided two...

By GREG VINE

ROYALSTON – A dilapidated structure originally intended to become a studio will instead be torn down, following a report by Building Inspector Geoff Newton.At Tuesday’s Selectboard meeting, Newton said that he, Fire Chief Eric Jack, and Winchendon...