COMMUNITY IN THE CLASSROOM SPORTS Pet of the week: Students receive Panthers season Meet Shoes scholarships ends in tournament Page 2 Page 5 Page 9

SERVING PALMER, MONSON, BRIMFIELD, HOLLAND & WALES The Journal Register A TURLEY PUBLICATION ❙ www.turley.com July 1, 2021 ❙ Vol. CLXX, No. 22 ❙ $1.00 www.journalregister.turley.com

WILD MEETING LAST CALLfor Fire Chief Public rallies around Alan Roy retiring after 45 Officer Olszta after years of service to PFD By Michel Harrison Select Board vote [email protected] By Michael Harrison it didn’t take long for it to go off [email protected] the rails. PALMER — While many The main issue was whether 16-year-olds in the 1970s spent BRIMFIELD — In a raucous, or not to re-appoint nine police of- much of their free time in hot pur- sometimes chaotic meeting Mon- ficers. One of them, Ryan Olszta, suit of good times, Alan Roy was day night, the Select Board, with apparently expected less than full more interested in rushing to hot two new members, seemed to support from the new-look board. spots. leave the town without a function- Olszta, a former selectman, has An auxiliary Palmer firefight- al police force for a time, expelled been active on Facebook, posting er for two years, Roy joined the an audience member, prevented about hostility directed at him that on-call force when he turned 18 in others from speaking, and may could affect his status. 1976 and never looked back. Rising have left itself vulnerable to legal It remains unclear the source through the ranks over the years, action. of the hostility, but Olszta and The meeting had barely ended some residents have made refer- CHIEF ❙ page 10 before angry residents launched a ences to unspecified allegations. recall drive that may have to wait No formal charges or hearings until fall but nonetheless gained have been held about any alleged momentum through the power of conduct issues Olszta could face. social media. By Tuesday morn- Neither Olszta nor any board ing, a popular Brimfield commu- members with the exception nity Facebook group was lighting of former Board of Selectmen up with comments and discussions Chairman Michael Doyle could among those who either attended be reached for comment after the the meeting or watched the live meeting despite messages left by stream on Brimfield.tv. voice mail, email, and text. Doyle All that at a meeting that referred questions to new Chair- wasn’t supposed to happen. woman Suzanne Collins – who did Pat Leaming and Martin Kel- not respond to a message left at the ly won the two open Select Board Select Board office and does not terms in last week’s election. The have any other contact information first post-election Select Board listed on the town’s website. meeting was scheduled for next At one point, the board ap- Longtime Palmer Fire Chief Alan Roy (center) received a service plaque recently for his years week, when the board was going parently tabled the police officers’ on the Service Commission, which is appointed by the Governor. Roy, shown with Fire Marshal to re-organize. For reasons still re-appointments. On paper, that Peter Ostroskey (left) and Chairman Greg Burns, served on the commission for nine years and unexplained, the meeting was would seem to leave only Police is retired from the fire department effective July 1. moved up a week with the mini- mum required two-days notice and RALLIES ❙ page 6 Alan Roy, back when he was captain of the Palmer Fire Dept.

SUMMER PROGRAM GREEN DAYS COMING BIKE RACE Kids Corner National Grid customers can returns July 6 sign up for solar and save for month- By Jonah Snowden surrounding area will be able to program.” [email protected] benefit from clean energy and help There’s another incentive. long session our environment at the same time. Clarke also said for every per- BRIMFIELD – For residents The land here was purchased by my son who signs up for the program, By Jonah Snowden who want to tap into solar energy grandfather in 1904 and it has been Energy 261 will be donating $50 to [email protected] for their homes without installing an active family farm ever since. a Massachusetts nonprofit organiza- panels, a new electricity option is This one particular field has just the tion of the customer’s choice. PALMER – Things are get- coming online. right lineup for a solar project and “The nonprofit is decided by ting busy at the Old Mill Pond The Brimfield Community will hopefully work with everybody whoever signs up,” Clarke said. “Kids’ Corner.” Shared Solar Project is scheduled in the area.” “We’ve actually tried to sign up to be available to all National Grid Bob Clarke, president of 621 some nonprofits to be members of The fourth annual summer Courtesy photo program for preschool-age kids customers – it’s not restricted to Energy, said this project has been the program, which we’ve had suc- Brimfield – by September. in the works since 2018, since it cess with.” Bikers participating in a past Firecracker Early Morning Circuit Race at is scheduled to begin July 6 and Palmer Motorsports Park. This year’s will be held on July 5, at 9 a.m. go through Aug. 6. Anyone traveling on Route 20 had to go through a rigorous appli- Kids’ Corner Program Di- since early spring probably noticed cation process in compliance with How it works rector Cathy Les said each week the solar farm under construction in regulations. He said joining the Each month, customers will features a new theme and a slew a field at 93 Palmer Road on prop- program carries no risk for anyone receive a credit on their National of activities. erty that’s been in former Select- who wants to use more clean energy Grid electric bill to offset the charge Palmer Motorsports “One of the themes we’re woman Susan Hilker’s family for while saving money on their electric from BCS that will be 10% lower offering this summer will be a generations. bill. than the credit. For example, a $100 will host bicycle race carnival week,” Less said. “After I retired, I had time to “(Residents) can participate for NG credit would mean a customer devote to it and started working on up to 20 years in the program, but owes BCS $90. “Each day will be a fun- has organized five past races. It’s filled day. They come in the something that would make sense they also can get out if they move Should a customer move from Proceeds benefit for the town,” Hilker said. outside of National Grid territory,” the area, they can transfer their a cause near and dear to his heart morning can come to get break- – helping those family members fast, get into their groups and “I’m really hoping the people Clarke said. “It’s also important to Concerns of Police of Brimfield and the people in the know that there’s no fee to join this SOLAR ❙ page 3 who have lost a police officer to a partake in some activities. We Survivors death in the line of duty – through offer sports, water play, mov- the New England Chapter of Con- ies other fun activities all day By Eileen Kennedy cerns of Police Survivors. Having long.” Staff writer seen the grief of police officers’ Registration opened July 1. family members after their loved The program will also be PALMER – There will be a one is killed in the line of duty, offering weekly special guests, race Monday, July 5, at the Palmer he thought it would be the perfect a free lunch program, and ex- Motorsports Park, but it will look charity. tended morning and afternoon a lot different than the normal The cause may be serious, but hours. Sixty-one children have workout sports car clubs give the the event itself is blast, he said. been enrolled so far. track during the season. “It’s 2.3 miles and it’s twisty Kids’ Corner is also prepar- The track is at 58 West Ware and hilly – it’s great,” Domnarski ing to roll out a new early child- Road in Palmer, practically on the said. hood development pilot pro- town lines of Ware and Warren. He wouldn’t be able to put on gram that was first announced At 9 a.m., on Monday, bi- the race if it weren’t for the gen- and approved during the May cycle riders of all sizes, shapes, erosity of the Palmer Motorsports 19 Palmer Public School Com- fitness levels, and skills will line Park, which generally charges mittee meeting. up together with their $20 reg- $20,000 to rent the track for an “Last year, we had 75 kids istration fees going to the New event, he said, but provides the enrolled in our before and after England Chapter of Concerns of track at no cost for this race. school program,” Les said. Police Survivors. “When I heard there was go- “It’s still a growing pro- “You do not have to be a rac- ing to be a track here, I came to er to do this,” said organizer Matt Fred and asked him, and he didn’t KIDS CORNER ❙ page 3 Domnarski, of the Firecracker even hesitate,” Domnarski said, Early Morning Circuit Race. referring to track owner Fred Fer- Turley Publications photo by Michael Harrison “You just have to be a racer guson. Construction began in May on the Brimfield Community Shared Solar Project facility off Route 20. When it’s com- to win it.” “We really enjoy being part pleted, local National Grid customers can sign up for solar power and reduce their electric bills. Domnarski, a retired State of the community and giving back Trooper and an avid bicyclist, RACE ❙ page 6 July 1, 2021 ❙ THE JOURNAL REGISTER PAGE 7

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BASEBALL SOFTBALL Defense has tough time in tourney Panthers season By Tim Peterson just didn’t.” Roche and Zach Handzel com- cons baseball team as a walk-on. Sports Correspondent Palmer, who finished the bined to hurl a four-hitter in “Nate has a chance to make season with a 5-10 overall re- that contest, as the Panthers the UMass-Boston baseball ends in tournament PALMER—The final var- cord, played a home playoff advanced into the quarterfinals team as a walk-on,” Pasquarosa PALMER – All teams made it into the Panthers traveled to Southwick High and sity baseball game of the 2021 game for the first time since with a 7-0 shutout victory. said. “He just has to work hard Western Massachusetts Division 2 tourna- found itself overwhelmed by the Rams of- season held at Legion Field was 2017 when they defeated Mahar The three Panthers seniors and show the coaches that he ment, which allowed a 4-8 Palmer softball fense in a 14-2 loss shortened by the mercy certainly not a very memorable Regional, 6-3, in a first-round on this year’s squad are second can compete at that level. I love team an opportunity to see some tourney rule. Palmer finished with a record of 4-9 in one for the home team. game. They then lost at Wah- baseman Tim Casavecchia, first seeing kids play baseball at the action for the first time in a few years. The the pandemic-shortened season. The 15th-seeded Palmer conah Regional in the quarter- baseman Nathan Oliveira, and next level.” Panthers made several costly finals. Kevin Hess, who did not play Mohawk (4-9) took advan- errors, as the 18th-seeded Mo- The Panthers lost a first- in last Friday’s game due to per- tage of a fielding error in the top hawk Trail Warriors celebrated round game at Hampshire Re- sonal reasons. of the first inning to take an early an 11-2 victory in a Western gional in 2018 and they lost an- “I really enjoyed coaching 1-0 lead. Mass. Division 3 preliminary other first-round contest at Mt. the three seniors and they’re very The Panthers threatened to round game, last Friday after- Greylock in 2019, which was the good team leaders,” Pasquaro- score a run in the bottom half of noon. final game of Peter Farr’s coach- sa said. “I wish Kevin could’ve the frame. “This is a very disappoint- ing career. played in today’s game because Junior shortstop Chance ing loss for us,” said first-year The last postseason meeting we really needed him.” Lee began the inning by hitting Palmer head coach Anthony between Mohawk and Palmer Oliveira will be attending a pop-up single into shallow left Pasquarosa. “They made the baseball teams was a first-round UMass-Boston in the fall. He’s plays in today’s game, and we home game in 2014. Connor planning to try-out for the Bea- TOURNEY ❙ page 8

SOCCER NE Mutiny continues string of draws at home By Tim Peterson sides on several rebound shots, Sports Correspondent which I didn’t totally agree with. I’m very proud of the per- LUDLOW—Three of the formance by our goalie.” four United Women’s Soccer Ela Kopec, who recently matches played by the New En- graduated from Ludlow High gland Mutiny at historic Lusita- School, made her first start at no Stadium so far this season Lusitano Stadium for the Mu- have ended in draws. tiny. She also posted her first The only meeting of the shutout.” regular season between the Mu- “It’s really special to post a Jayda Pardo picks up a ground ball at Chelsea Bigos fires a throw from short to tiny and the Syracuse DA was shutout, especially at this stadi- second base. first. a scoreless affair, last Saturday um,” Kopec said. “I feel like I night. The Mutiny had a 2-1- earned my position on this soc- 4 overall record following the cer team.” home match. Kopec, who’s a first-year “It has been a season of ties member of the Mutiny, only for us,” said Mutiny head coach allowed four goals as the start- Jeb Booth. “I do respect a 0-0 ing goalie for the Ludlow girls’ tie. We had all sorts of scoring varsity soccer team last fall. The chances during the second half, Photos by David Henry www.sweetdogphotos.com but we were called for being off- MUTINY ❙ page 8 Olivia Hicks sends the goal kick away.

Laura Gouvin, of Monson, Agawam’s Hope Santaniello Lydia Kinsman, of Southwick, Anna Carson tries to work Photos by David Henry www.sweetdogphotos.com Miyah Mega makes an off balance throw advances the ball up the field. winds up and takes a big shot. works away from the Syracuse around a pair of opponents. Madison Cole winds up to throw a pitch. across the diamond. defense.

BASEBALL RACING Valley Blue Sox continue Leary, McKennedy pick up wins at Monadnock WINCHESTER, N.H. – Winless for his career only feature win in a row. Friday’s of the way. The first of two cau- to roll, beat Schooners 9-4 There’s a new sheriff in town eight days earlier, the Hatfield, victory, like the one a week ear- tions waved on lap 29, this one at Monadnock Speedway. His Mass. pilot set fast time in qual- lier, was scored over some real as the leading Seitz tangled with The Valley Blue Sox faced the Mys- LaPlante, “I think it speaks to the conver- name is Tyler Leary, and he’s ifying Friday at the high-banked thoroughbreds. a lapper in turn two. tic Schooners at MacKenzie Stadium on sations I have had with our coaches over rounding up Modified feature speed plant and then roared to The ISMA Super Modifieds That moved McKennedy to Thursday, and won the game by a score the past couple games. I’ve been working wins. his second NHSTRA Modified - 800-plus big block horsepower the point and, at that point, the of 9-4. a lot with Her and Pedro (VBS Hitting rocketing a 1,850-pound mis- race’s outcome was effectively The Blue Sox had a tough start to the Coach). The pregame conversation we sile - were in town Saturday, decided. Anthony Nocella held game, giving up two runs and failing to had today was to be ourselves on the field. making their first Monadnock the deuce the rest of the way, secure any of their own in the first inning. Don’t try to get too big, just be the players run in more than two years, with with Lilje strong in third. No- Owen Langan of Northeastern Uni- that brought us here in the first place.” He open-wheel super star Jon McK- body, though, had an answer for versity made his debut in the Valley when continued. ennedy dominating to win the McKennedy’s dominance. He he took over for Aaron Hubbell on the It was a slow but exciting crawl to All State Materials Group 75 lap had earlier set fast time with a mound. the ninth, with the Blue Sox hitting well, main event. blistering lap of 11.181 seconds, “They did a really good job getting reaching bases and bringing home a cou- Young Gun Fast Eddie just shy of his 2018 Monadnock zeros today,” Said Head Coach Hez Ran- ple of players to extend their lead. The Petruskevicius stayed red hot in best of 11.138. dolph, whose Blue Sox shut down the Schooners only put up two runs, ending the beginner class, Mini Stock And, while Leary didn’t Schooners offense throughout the game. the game with a score of 9-4. master Gordon Farnum cruised turn any 11-second laps, he did “They answered every offensive move the The Blue Sox previously beat the to his fifth victory of the sum- set fast time in the NHSTRA other team made. They applied the pres- Schooners in their second game of the mer, Justin Littlewood blasted Mods to earn the pole, and then sure, and that never allowed them to get season, but since that game, they haven’t to his second in the Late Model outran Trevor Bleau all 40 cau- back into the ballgame.” been able to top them until Thursday’s Sportsmen, and Jimmy Zellman tion-free laps in the Mod Squad The second and third brought back- home game. won his first of the season in the feature. Todd Patnode was to-back three run innings for the Blue “I feel like we’re really clicking right Pure Stocks Saturday. strong in third, pulling with- Sox, kudos to superior offense in the sec- now,” Said LaPlante. “We still aren’t play- Moe Lilje led the first two in six markers of points parade ond and a three-run home run from Mason ing our absolute best baseball, but the Submitted photo go-rounds of the ISMA biggie, leader Matt Kimball. LaPlante of Yale, his second of the season. exciting part of that is we have room to Jon McKennedy picked up a win in the All State Materials Group main then giving way to Ben Seitz but “I feel really good right now,” Said improve.” event staying in the top three the rest MONADNOCK ❙ page 8