FREE July 9, 2021 Vol. 52, No. 9 INDEX Viewpoints 4 TOWN Granby 7 Sports 10 Obituary 13 Reminder Education 13 A TURLEY PUBLICATION ❙ www.turley.com Serving the town of South Hadley www.townreminder.turley.com Classifieds 14 Public Notices 15 Lisa Wong named Town Administrator NEWS, 2 By Cara McCarthy The South Hadley Select- the contract there will be a 90- said he would expect there to Staff Writer board met Friday, July 2 to vote day period where she will finish be a significant overlap between Interim chief between the two finalists – Wong her role in Winchester before Sullivan and Wong to “pass the SOUTH HADLEY - The and Redmond Jones – to replace coming to South Hadley. baton.” appointed South Hadley Selectboard vot- Town Administrator Mike Sul- He added the Selectboard Cyr said he believes if Wong ed unanimously to offer current livan. Sullivan’s contract ends would likely extend his contract takes the position, she would be Winchester Town Administrator, Sept. 30. for a few extra weeks until Wong valuable to South Hadley. Lisa Wong, to take over as Town Sullivan said due to Wong’s can take the position. Administrator for South Hadley. 90-day out clause, if she signs Selectboard Chair Jeff Cyr Please see WONG, page 6 New Senior Center opens its doors By Melina Bourdeau Staff writer SPORTS, 10 SOUTH HADLEY – After years of waiting and enduring Indians squeeze a global pandemic, the Council past Granby on Aging has finally opened the doors to the new Senior Center at 45 Dayton St. Though the COA is in its first phase of reopening, tours of the building and a recent drive through parade allowed the pub- lic to get a feel for the new center. Volunteer and tour guide Joyce Gay said the best part of the building are in the details. “From the outdoor space to Please see CENTER, page 9 The South Hadley Senior Center opened its door to its first phase on Monday. Photo by Melina Bourdeau Locally Recognized – Nationally Honored M. Connie Laplante Real Estate 2 Lyman Street, South Hadley – 536-9111 Registered HUD/VA Broker SOUTH HADLEY – Location, Location, Location!! SOUTH HADLEY – CHARACTER GALORE! SOUTH HADLEY – LOCATION! This 3-4 bedroom, 4 Bedroom cape on a dead-end street Located in South Hadley Center overlooking the 1 bath home is waiting for you to make it you own. SOUTH HADLEY – Don’t miss out SOUTH HADLEY – Enjoy this Farm House just a short stroll to Mount Holyoke College Orchards Golf Course! Perfectly situated on the hill is Settled on a quiet street in a great neighborhood. on this nice level building lot that has already been that sits on 1.53 Acres of land on the and the Village Commons. 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Million Winners; Five College The board unanimously ap- “I would like to take a moment Scholarships proved the appointment of Lt. Kev- to thank all the department mem- in O’Grady as interim chief until a bers I’ve worked with over the last BOSTON – On June 15, the Baker-Polito Adminis- permanent replacement is hired. 29 years. I couldn’t have asked to tration, Treasurer Deborah B. Goldberg and the Massa- During the meeting, Select- be surrounded by a better group chusetts State Lottery announced the Massachusetts Vax- board member Glenn Sexton asked of really good people. Chief Barry Millions Giveaway for residents who are fully vaccinated why the position would need to be once said he thought the best cops against COVID-19. Fully vaccinated residents 18 and filled by the board on July 1. were always good people; I could older will have the opportunity to enter to win of five, $1 “We have Lt. O’Grady who not agree more,” he wrote. “You all million cash prizes. Fully vaccinated residents between is basically in charge, the former Photo by Melina Bourdeau personify that statement in so many 12-17 years of age may enter for the chance to win one chief retired,” Sexton said. “Is Kevin O’Grady was appointed ways. I am so very proud to say that of five $300,000 scholarship grants. there anything (O’Grady) would as interim Police Chief as of I served with you, and for you as Eligible residents will be able to enter the drawing not be able to do as a lieutenant Thursday, July 1 last at the Granby your chief. I had a blast and learned beginning July 1. Drawings will be held once a week for rather than acting chief?” Selectboard meeting. a lot along the way.” five weeks beginning the week of Monday, July 26 and Town Administrator Chris Mar- He spoke to the officers and continuing through the week ending Friday, August 27. tin responded that the based on the Sexton then made the motion to their duty to the public. “The Commonwealth leads the nation in vaccinat- policies and procedures, an interim appoint O’Grady as interim chief. “You are all incredibly car- ing our residents, with almost four million people fully chief would be necessary. “O’Grady is second in charge ing professionals who understand vaccinated, and our goal remains ensuring everyone that “Inside the policies and proce- and, as of today, he’s actually in that what we do matters. Fairness wants a vaccine has access to one,” said Governor Char- dures of the department, dictate ev- charge,” he said. matters. Honesty matters. The lie Baker. “The VaxMillions Giveway is one of the many erything flows through the chief,” O’Grady said he is excited to community supports you because ways our administration is encouraging people to get the he said. “The issue becomes if we take on the new role. they trust you. That trust has been vaccine, and we are grateful for the partnership of Trea- don’t have a chief, the department, “(Chief Wishart) showed me ev- earned by each and every one of surer Goldberg and the Mass State Lottery in developing in essence, cannot operate because erything over the past few years, so you,” he wrote. “You should be so the program.” it is the chief who delegates every- I feel prepared to take on this role,” proud of that.