FREE July 23, 2021 Vol. 52, No. 12 INDEX Viewpoints 4 TOWN Sports 7 Public Safety 8 Reminder Public Notices 9 A TURLEY PUBLICATION ❙ www.turley.com Serving the town of South Hadley www.townreminder.turley.com Classifieds 10 Neighbor News 12 Two police Budding cyclists chief finalists NEWS, 2 New South Hadley announced Police Sgt. sworn in learn rules of the road By Melina Bourdeau Staff writer By Melina Bourdeau GRANBY – The Granby Select- Staff writer board announced two finalists for the next police chief at its meeting SOUTH HADLEY – A group of on Monday evening. young cyclists got to learn about bi- The Selectboard is set to inter- cycle safety and complete an obstacle view the police chief finalists at its course in the Michael E. Smith Mid- next meeting on Aug. 2. dle School parking lot on Tuesday. Town Administrator Chris Mar- The Bike Rodeo was hosted by tin read the Selectboard a letter from the South Hadley Recreation Depart- the Police Chief Search Committee ment with guests from Valley Bike, announcing the two finalists – Gran- South Hadley Fire Districts 1 and 2 by interim Chief Kevin O’Grady and the South Hadley Police Depart- and Gardner Police Lt. Nicholas ment. Maroni. Children got to learn from Safe The search committee received SOUTH HADLEY, 5 Routes to School Outreach Coordi- eight applications and scheduled six nator Lucy Friedman-Bell and Mass- interviews. Library to host Bike Communications Coordinator “One applicant was found not to wild performances Jes Slavin. have the necessary qualifications to The two taught about the “ABCs” meet the requirements of the posi- of biking – checking the air in the tion,” Martin read. “One applicant tires, the brakes and the chain on the subsequently received an offer from bicycle before riding it. another job.” The committee then interviewed five candidates, after another can- Please see CYCLISTS, page 8 didate declined an interview “after hearing a Selectboard member was Emma Grygus, 4, follows the in the police station stating that the arrows on the obstacle course. town would be hiring from within the department.” Members on the search commit- Please see FINALISTS, page 12 SPORTS, 7 Belchertown takes Lightning strikes Mount Holyoke residence hall care of Wilbraham By Cara McCarthy Staff Writer SOUTH HADLEY - A light- ning strike at Mount Holyoke College on July 17 will most like- ly force the school to close Mead Hall to residents for the fall 2021 semester, according to college President Sonya Stephens. The southwest side of the 120-year-old building was set on fire at approximately 5 p.m. last Saturday. The South Hadley Fire De- A fire at Mead Hall dormitory on partment District 2 was dis- the Mt. Holyoke College campus patched to Mead Hall at 4:47 p.m. was caused by a lightning and the fire was contained at ap- strike during the storm over the NEIGHBOR NEWS, 12 proximately 7:30 p.m., according weekend. to South Hadley Fire Chief Todd Calkins. and Westover Air Force Base Fire Section of East At first, there was no fire or Department aided in putting out Street washed away smoke visible. After completing the fire. South Hadley Fire Dis- a full sweep of the building, fire- trict 1 also responded with mutu- fighters detected smoke from the al aid. A side of the building, according According to Calkins, the fire to Calkins. was “very stubborn, difficult to Calkins said the fire was iso- get to and labor intensive. lated to the fourth and fifth floors “I want to thank all the mutual on the building and the fire sprin- aid companies for their hard work klers worked accordingly to help and support during the incident,” contain the fire until the depart- Calkins said. “I would also like ment was able to take over con- to take the time to thank the dis- trol of the fire. patchers for all the work they do Fire departments from other behind the scenes.” Courtesy photos towns including Granby, Hadley, A lightning strike caused a fire at Mead Hall, a dorm at Mt. Holyoke Belchertown, Amherst, Holyoke Please see LIGHTNING, page 9 College, last weekend. Page 2 TOWN Reminder July 23, 2021 News New South Hadley Police Sgt. sworn in Photos by Melina Bourdeau South Hadley resident Ray Hebert was Members of the South Hadley Police Department attended the swearing in ceremony of recently appointed Sgt. Ray Hebert. promoted to the rank of Sergeant last week. Ray Hebert promoted lin outside of the town hall with his family Chief Jennifer Gundersen said days like “He was a great mentor. He taught me and fellow officers. Tuesday are “some of the best days we how to be a supervising officer and taught to position Hebert is a South Hadley High School have – when get to recognize new officers me a lot,” Hebert said. “He set an exam- graduate and resident who said working with new hires and promotions. ple and always told us to take care of each By Melina Bourdeau for the department for the last nine years “He’s so committed to the communi- other.” Staff writer has been an honor. ty, he believes in South Hadley, in South Gundersen said the town has great “It means a lot to see my peers here Hadley Police Department, and I believe support from the town officials to the SOUTH HADLEY – South Hadley to support me,” Hebert said. “It’s a really this promotion is going to lift us all up a community. Police Department promoted an officer to proud moment in my career.” little bit,” she said.” “It’s a gift and we need to earn it,” she the position of Sergeant this week in an Hebert has been a field training officer Hebert fills the position following said. outdoor ceremony on Tuesday. since 2018 and trained seven new officers the retirement of Sgt. Robert Whelihan, Hebert said his “roots run deep in Sgt. Ray Hebert was sworn in by during that time. whom Hebert said he had the privilege to town,” and he’s excited to begin his po- South Hadley Town Clerk Carlene Ham- At the ceremony, South Hadley Police work under. sition. PRAYER TO THE Book sale at the Granby library BLESSED VIRGIN GRANBY – The Friends of the Granby Free Public (never known to fail) Library are hosting an on-going book sale in the Com- O Most beautiful flower of munity Room of the Library during current open hours Mount Carmel, fruitful vine, (Tuesday through Friday 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.). splendor of Heaven, Blessed Book lovers can choose from a large assortment of Mother of the Son of God, used and like-new books in both fiction and nonfiction, Immaculate Virgin, assist me as well as videos, audios and video games. in my necessity. O Star of the The library is not accepting donations at this time Sea, help me and show me until all overstock from the past year has been cleared here you are my mother. O out. All proceeds go to the Friends of the Granby Li- Holy Mary Mother of God, brary who support library programming for all ages. Queen of Heaven and Earth, I humbly beseech you from the bottom of my heart to secure in my necessity (make request). There are none that American Legion START A TEAM. RECRUIT. can withstand your power. O Post 266 Mary conceived without sin, 74 Pleasant St., Granby • 413-467-9545 pray for us who recourse to thee (3 times). Holy Mary, I MUSICAL LINE UP RAISE AWARENESS AND FUNDS. place this cause in your hands (3 times). Say this prayer for July 23 The Side Effects three consecutive days and July 30 Union Jack WALK WITH US. then you must publish and it August 6 Midlife Crisis will be granted to you. B.F. 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Route 202, 309 East State St., Granby Most Major Print Media Sponsor Credit Cards Accepted 413-467-3794 Family Open: Owned & Sorry No Checks 8am-7pm www.dickinsonsfarm.com Operated Gift Certificates Available July 23, 2021 TOWN Reminder Page 3 New TA contract New Superintendent shares entry negotiations underway plan with School Committee By Cara McCarthy school and what areas they the coming weeks. By Cara McCarthy COVID-19 Staff Writer might want to address.” The number is not projected Staff Writer Sullivan presented his report Sullivan said he wanted to to raise too much, according to to the Selectboard and shared the GRANBY - The Granby make it a point to meet with Sullivan the district typically SOUTH HADLEY - The most recent COVID-19 data for School Committee discussed people in the community to loses between six and eight stu- South Hadley Selectboard re- the town.