COMMUNITY OUTDOORS SPORTS Pet of the week: Backpacking Oliveira Meet Franny in the mountains remembered Page 2 Page 4 Page 7

SERVING PALMER, MONSON, BRIMFIELD, HOLLAND & WALES The Journal Register A TURLEY PUBLICATION ❙ www.turley.com June 24, 2021 ❙ Vol. CLXX, No. 21 ❙ $1.00 www.journalregister.turley.com

COMMUNITY TOWN MEETING Brimfield voters decide to keep electing health board members

Turley Publications staff photo by Jonah Snowden Voters decide one of several articles at the 2021 Brimfield Town Meeting on June 16. By Jonah Snowden fied people on that board, but again, [email protected] it’s been left up to a popularity con- test for the last 30 years since it was BRIMFIELD – Tensions were changed by the current chairman.” high during the annual Brimfield He also said as a selectman, he Town Meeting on June 16, where has received numerous complaints discussions on single-action teams about the fee structure that has been ranged from five minutes to half an assessed by the Board of Health. hour. “When it comes time to setting One of the most pressing topics standards, whether it’s septic or at the meeting was Article 27, which food trucks, they’re just not getting Turley Publications photos by Michael Harrison asked registered voters to approve a answers or feel that they’re getting Officials (from left) Palmer Police Chief Chris Burns, Town Council President Lorinda Baker, Sen. Anne Gobi, Palmer Health Inspector and Commonwealth motion for an article to be inserted tossed around,” Olszta said. Unsung Heroine Chrissy Florence, Rep. Todd Smola, and Councilman Bob Lavoie at Town Hall Monday to celebrate Florence ahead of the June 24 official into the warrant of the next annual “This is simply to send them to awards ceremony. Gobi and Smola presented Florence with state proclimations. town meeting. This article would a majority vote, to see if the Board determine if the town would have its of Health will be switched back to elected Board of Health become an a board which would ultimately be appointed department in town. appointed by the board of select- Town’s top health official is among After the By-Law committee men.” made a recommendation for no Richard E. Costa, chairman of action to be taken on Article 27, the Board of Health, provided a re- Brimfield Selectman Ryan Olsz- sponse to these claims by reminding this year’s ‘Unsung Heroines’ ta chimed in and said he felt there the voters of how the board handled By Michael Harrison Massachusetts Commission on the even if they don’t realize it. led a multi-town effort to open a are some issues within the Board of the COVID-19 pandemic which [email protected] Status of Women, but the agency When it came time earlier vaccination clinic inside the former Health in need of addressing, such showcased the importance of hav- relies on the judgment of elected this year to consider her choice, Converse Middle School build- as accountability. ing an independent and experienced PALMER — Once a year officials who know the rhythms of Sen. Anne Gobi didn’t need long ing that has inoculated more than “Myself and numerous other health board. During his remarks, since 2003, state legislators nomi- the communities they serve – and to think. Christina “Chrissy” Flor- 10,000 people, including home- citizens felt the Board of Health Costa also said they work very nate a woman from their district for more. They understand the back- ence, Palmer’s soft-spoken and bound residents served by mobile should be a specialized position,” closely with the State Department recognition as a Commonwealth beat, the sound behind the sound. unassuming health inspector, was teams based at the site, and even Olszta said. of Public Health for extra guidance Unsung Heroine. Or in this case, the people behind the tip of the spear in the region’s “ (The health board) currently The honor comes from the the scenes residents depend on battle against COVID-19. Florence HEROINE ❙ page 2 do have some very more than quali- BRIMFIELD ❙ page 5

GOVERNMENT ENVIRONMENT More COVID relief Chestnut Forest Project continues money coming; How it and volunteers are welcome By Jonah Snowden repopulate Mt. Ella in Flynt Park enth grade Science Teacher Jes- [email protected] with blight-resistant American se Greene and fellow volunteers will be used is TBD Chestnuts. This in response to the planted American Chestnuts at the By Jonah Snowden ments to keep our recovery moving. MONSON – Six years ago, 1904 American Chestnut Blight, summit of Mt. Ella. In 2020, the [email protected] Our administration appreciates the the Monson Chestnut Forest Proj- which caused a near extinction team worked at the bottom of the collaboration of the legislature and ect, which began as a collaboration of American Chestnut Trees at REGION – As the Mass. Sen- local government in responding to between seventh grade students the park. The 2011 EF-3 tornado, CHESTNUT ❙ page 5 ate and House work to reconcile the pandemic, and we all must work and science teachers at Tantasqua which also removed forest canopy differences and craft a new state together to distribute funding quick- Regional Junior High School, is across Mt. Ella, was also a contrib- Elliott and Tobias Greene posing budget to send on to Gov. Charlie ly and efficiently to ensure those now in its third planting phase and uting factor to the cause. Baker, the Baker administration last hard-hit by the virus receive relief next to a planted chestnut tree at volunteers are welcome. In summer of 2019, Tanta- the Summit of Mt. Ella. week announced a plan to spread as quickly as possible.” The project’s main goal is to squa Regional Junior High sev- approximately $2.815 billion in di- It’s too early to specify how rect federal aid among local munic- and where the money will be used ipalities to target communities that locally, but elected officials repre- could use an economic boost. senting area towns in the legislature “Key priorities” include hous- have some ideas of their own. ing and homeownership, economic Sen. Anne Gobi said using ART IMITATING LIFE development, local downtowns, job some of the money to boost public training, workforce development, projects and private manufacturing health care, and infrastructure, Bak- could benefit the entire region by er said. The money was doled out to creating jobs and providing greater states in response to the COVID-19 mobility. pandemic and the negative impact it “There could be a lot of bene- has had on local economies. fits, especially on the transportation “Our proposal will immedi- side of things which seem like they ately invest $2.8 billion toward key will be quite good,” Gobi said. priorities that will help jump-start “The other kind of thought I’m our economic recovery, with a par- looking at is, the president is talking ticular focus on those hit hardest by about a big manufacturing bill that COVID-19, such as communities of should be coming out shortly as color,” Baker said in a statement. well. I think for the manufacturers “With over four million people in this area there will be a lot of op- fully vaccinated, Massachusetts is portunities and some partnerships, getting back to normal and back to so I think we’re going to be in great work, but it is critical that we act shape,” Gobi said. now to make these critical invest- Rep. Todd Smola said he would like to see some of the money spent on education and for town-level officials to have a voice on how to Recently, Monson resident and historian Patrick Duquette photographed local artists Elisabeth Dean (left) and Linda Grondin while they painted the COVID ❙ page 3 spectacular Quabbin view from their vantage point on Enfield Lookout.Courtesy photos June 24, 2021 ❙ THE JOURNAL REGISTER PAGE 7

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BASEBALL Errors in the field hurt Palmer in playoff loss By Tim Peterson with a 5-10 overall record, played a this year’s squad are second base- ball at the next level.” the plate,” Pasquarosa said. “They take a 3-0 lead. Sports Correspondent home playoff game for the first time man Tim Casavecchia, first baseman Mohawk (4-9) took advantage had to make a perfect play to get that The Panthers did give their since 2017 when they defeated Ma- Nathan Oliveira, and Kevin Hess, of a fielding error in the top of the out and you just tip your cap to them. faithful supporters something to PALMER—The final varsity har Regional, 6-3, in a first-round who did not play in last Friday’s first inning to take an early 1-0 lead. It was only the first inning, and we cheer about in the bottom of the baseball game of the 2021 season game. They then lost at Wahconah game. The Panthers threatened to were trying to be aggressive there.” fourth. held at historic Legion Field was Regional in the quarterfinals. “I really enjoyed coaching the score a run in the bottom half of the The duo of Oliveira and Allen Oliveira hit a leadoff single certainly not a very memorable one The Panthers lost a first-round three seniors and they’re very good frame. combined to go 4-for-5 against Mo- to right field and advanced to third for the home team. game at Hampshire Regional in team leaders,” Pasquarosa said. “I Junior shortstop Chance Lee hawk. Allen was also intentionally base on another double by Allen. The 15th-seeded Palmer Pan- 2018 and they lost another first- wish Kevin could’ve played in to- began the inning by hitting a pop- walked leading off the bottom of the Both base runners crossed the plate thers made several costly errors, as round contest at Mt. Greylock in day’s game because we really need- up single into shallow left field. Lee sixth inning. on wild pitches cutting the deficit to the 18th-seeded Mohawk Trail War- 2019, which was the final game of ed him.” was then thrown out trying to steal The Panthers only other base 3-2. riors celebrated an 11-2 victory in a Peter Farr’s coaching career. Oliveira will be attending UMa- second base. With two-outs in the hits in the game were singles by It remained a one run game un- Western Mass. Division 3 prelimi- The last postseason meeting be- ss-Boston in the fall. He’s planning inning, Oliveira lined a single into sophomore third baseman Ty Miller, til the Warriors batted around and nary round game, last Friday after- tween Mohawk and Palmer baseball to try-out for the Beacons baseball right field and sophomore catcher and junior right fielder Jack Leten- scored five runs in the sixth inning. noon. teams was a first-round home game team as a walk-on. Dom Allen doubled to left. Oliveira dre. Junior righty Anthony Ukrainets “This is a very disappointing in 2014. Connor Roche and Zach “Nate has a chance to make tried to score on the play, but he was Junior right-hander Mike May- replaced Mayberry on the mound loss for us,” said first-year Palmer Handzel combined to hurl a four-hit- the UMass-Boston baseball team tagged out by Mohawk senior catch- berry, who was the Panthers starting and was able to record the final out head coach Anthony Pasquarosa. ter in that contest, as the Panthers as a walk-on,” Pasquarosa said. “He er Matt Pollen, who received a pre- pitcher, retired the side in order in of the inning. “They made the plays in today’s advanced into the quarterfinals with just has to work hard and show the fect relay throw from junior short- the second and third innings. The Warriors added three more game, and we just didn’t.” a 7-0 shutout victory. coaches that he can compete at that stop Tyler Dubreull ending the rally. The Warriors scored a pair of runs in their final at-bats and enjoyed Palmer, who finished the season The three Panthers seniors on level. I love seeing kids play base- “That was a bang-bang play at unearned runs in the fourth inning to the bus ride home to Shelburne Falls.

BASEBALL SOCCER Oliveira remembered as Pioneers Tri-County rivals clash keep on winning By Tim Peterson Sports Correspondent

LUDLOW—Blake Mullen, who’s the Western Mass. Pioneers starting goalkeeper, was swarmed by a group of kids seeking his auto- graph following last Friday’s home match versus AC . It was the most action he saw the en- tire evening. Mullen only made one save during the match and his teammates took care of the rest of the business, as the Pioneers posted a 3-0 shut- out victory before a large crowd at in Ludlow. It was Photos by David Henry www.sweetdogphotos.com the Pioneers fourth shutout in their Paul Marcinek speaks about teammate and longtime Tri-County League Goalie Madison Sweeney first seven matches of the regular player/manager Karl Oliveira during a pre-game ceremony last Friday tries to block a shot. season. night. “To be able to post a shutout, Emily Lebel turns especially in front of our fans here and makes a at Lusitano Stadium, just feels fan- move toward the tastic,” said Mullen after he finished goal after pick- signing autographs. “The defense ing up the ball. is playing very well and we’re also scoring a lot of goals this season, which is awesome.” Mullen, who’s from Manches- ter, Conn., has been the Pioneers starting goalie since 2019. He was the USL League Two Golden Glove winner that season. Since losing a road match to the Boston Bolts, 4-0, in the sea- son opener on May 11, the Pioneers have posted a 5-0-1 record and have outscored their opponents, 14-2. St. Joe’s Ryan Magni, of Chicopee, picks up a ground ball. The Western Mass. squad is battling the Bolts for first place in the USL Haley Arventos League Two Northeast Division By Tim Peterson it used to be like playing baseball tries to pick up standings. Sports Correspondent games at St. Joe’s Ballpark in front a ground ball. “The players are playing with of large crowds on Friday nights a lot of confidence right now,” said THORNDIKE – Paul Mar- during the summertime. Western Mass. Pioneers head coach cinek and Karl Oliveira were “This was what this placed al- Federico Molinari. “We just need to teammates on the St. Joseph’s ways looked like on Friday night’s keep improving in every match.” baseball team, which competes in back in the day,” said Marcinek, Mullen and his teammates re- the Tri-County League, for more who replaced Oliveira as the St. corded a 2-0 shutout victory in the than twenty years. Joe’s player/manager. “We’ve first meeting of the season against During a pregame ceremony won many home games on Fri- Mustangs AC Connecticut (1-6), which was held prior to the start of last Fri- day nights, and we also lost many played at in Hart- day night’s home opener against games on Friday nights.” ford, Connecticut on May 26. Their archrival Peoples Bank, Marcinek A couple of former St. Joe’s finish up other two shutouts came against FC spoke about his longtime friend players came back and played in Malaga City. and teammate, who passed away last Friday’s game in honor of Ol- spring The Pioneers are scheduled to unexpectedly on April 26. iveira. play a friendly versus Hartford Ath- “Karl Oliveira was Palmer. The St. Joe’s players wore #9, letic, who played in the USL cham- Karl Oliveira was St. Joe’s. The which was Karl’s uniform number season pionship in 2019, at Dillon Stadium loss of Karl Oliveira cannot be during batting practice. A Peoples on July 20. measured in words,” said Mar- Bank uniform with the #9 on the MONSON – In one of The Pioneers, who finished in cinek following the game, which back was hung on the fence near their final games before the first place in the Northeast league was won by Peoples Bank, 3-2 in their bench. regular season ended, Monson standings in 2019, are hoping to eight innings. “To have the honor Jim Long, who was the man- High School girls lacrosse was qualify for the playoffs again this and the privilege to play baseball ager for Peoples Bank, passed defeated by Pope Francis 25-5 season. with Karl for so long was some- away during the season several on June 9. Emily Lebel was a “It definitely feels like we’re thing very special. This was a very years ago. bright spot in the defeat with doing something special again this meaningful night for everyone Karl Oliveira was listed in the three of Monson’s five goals. season,” Mullen said. “It was an here.” sixth spot in the St. Joe’s batting Photos by Gregory A. Scibelli awesome experience playing in the Besides being a player/man- order as the designated hitter. playoffs two years ago. We’re hop- ager for St. Joe’s, Oliveira was He was replaced by pinch hit- ing to host a home playoff match also a member of the East Long- ter Josh Skowyra in the bottom of Lillian Laskowski this year.” meadow Navigators in the Nation- the second inning. The Pioneers defeated the al Division. “Karl needed to be in the makes a pass across to a teammate. North Carolina Fusion U23 squad, One of the things that Mar- starting line-up on the night that 3-1, in the 2019 Eastern Conference cinek told the large crowd during we honored his memory,” Mar- semifinals before losing to Read- the ceremony, which was followed cinek said. “Everything that was by a moment of silence, was what OLIVEIRA ❙ page 8 PIONEERS ❙ page 8