COMMUNITY IN THE CLASSROOM SPORTS Pet of the week: Career training Palmer shut Meet Tank awards out in opener Page 2 Page 7 Page 9 SERVING PALMER, MONSON, BRIMFIELD, HOLLAND & WALES The Journal Register A TURLEY PUBLICATION ❙ www.turley.com May 13, 2021 ❙ Vol. CLXX, No. 16 ❙ $1.00 www.journalregister.turley.com MONSON TOWN MEETING EDUCATION Held outdoors and socially-distanced with most voters wearing masks because of the continuing New rail study celebrated pandemic, Monson’s annual town meeting resulted in a new fiscal year budget and more. by advocates for new area commuter line By Michael Harrison corner of Metro Hartford-Spring- [email protected] field, closest to Worcester and Bos- ton. The study recognizes the work REGION — Advocates of a we’ve done to prepare for restored new commuter rail line connecting passenger rail.” Western Mass. to Boston are cheer- Prepared by the international ing the release of a new Capitol consulting firm AECOM, which Region Council of Governments re- specializes in infrastructure, the port backing all the main arguments report not only celebrates modern for public investment in the project. mass transit as a tool for economic “The study is great for Palmer,” and social transformation but accus- Ben Hood, chairman of the East- es state and federal governments of West Rail Steering Committee said. negligence over a lack of progress. “The inland route between Bos- Although it hails the 2018 opening ton and New York City is the key to of the Hartford-Springfield line as a unlocking the enormous economic step in the right direction, the ser- benefits and transit-oriented devel- vice just scratches the surface, the opment that would accompany re- consultant said, and even that new stored passenger rail to Palmer. We are well-positioned at the northeast RAIL ❙ page 5 Turley Publication photos by Michael Harrison Voters give elected body a new gender-neutral name By Michael Harrison town meeting such as funding gov- L. Allen, Karen Nothe-Valley, and winner will join Mary Hull and [email protected] ernment and services for a new fis- Patricia Oney – are candidates for Richard Smith. cal year, voters Monday night ap- the select board seat now held by Nothe-Valley reflected the MONSON — When all is said proved Article 28, which changes Ed Harrison, whose term is expir- change on her campaign’s Face- and done, 2021 might be remem- the name of Monson’s Board of Se- ing. Harrison declined to seek an- book page Monday night. bered as the “Year of the Woman” lectmen to simply the Select Board. other term. “WE retired the outdated term Courtesy photo in this town. If the change was considered over- That means no matter who “Selectmen,” a relic from the past This graphic gives shows commercial square footage, housing units, and Among the usual nuts and due, it certainly comes at an appro- wins, the three-member board will jobs for the existing and proposed passenger stations along this route. bolts work done in a typical annual priate time. Three women – Jessica have a majority of women. The MEETING ❙ page 5 HEALTH & WELLNESS LAW ENFORCEMENT Regional vaccine clinic firing on River gets some TLC Former all cylinders for multiple towns police officer convicted, sentenced SPRINGFIELD — Daniel Cintron, 31, of Monson, a former Springfield Police Officer, was re- cently found guilty in a jury-waived trial in Hampden Superior Court on charges of indecent assault and battery on a child under 14 (two counts), and intimidation of a wit- ness (two counts). Turley Publications file photo Following the court’s verdict, Palmer Health Inspector Chrissy Florence has partnered with other area he was sentenced to two to three towns to set up a COVID-19 regional vaccination clinic on Converse Street. years in state prison. With the state’s shift to regional sites, the one in Palmer has enough vaccine Cintron’s conviction was the supply to serve every area resident who wants a shot. second trial on these charges after a jury in September 2019 deadlocked By Michael Harrison over and it doesn’t look like they’re on a number of charges. The Hamp- [email protected] coming back. den District Attorney’s Office opted Anyone who wants a vaccina- Photos special by Samantha Smalley to retry the case but had to wait until PALMER — The days of tion can get one essentially on-de- THREE RIVERS — Res- Field and cleaned away trash and can Rivers, the Chicopee 4 Rivers recently due to the pandemic’s im- COVID-19 vaccine shortages are mand now. That includes everyone idents responded to the call for debris of all kinds from the river Watershed Council, Keep Palmer pact on the court system. 16 and older and Massachusetts is volunteers at the Palmer Conser- and river banks. Clean, and Country Bank. The charges stemmed from an getting close to approving a vaccine vation Commission’s May 8 Riv- The effort was organized by Sarah Fortune, conservation investigation by the Hampden er Cleanup. Palmer Conservation Commis- VACCINE ❙ page 5 Volunteers met at Laviolette sion in partnership with Ameri- RIVER ❙ page 8 SENTENCED ❙ page 2 Unique Join Our Downtown Ware Spring New Shops, Treats, SIDEWALK SALE Gift Certificates, Saturday & Sunday, May 22 & 23 Free Parking Rain or Shine! & More PAGE 2 May 13, 2021 ❙ THE JOURNAL REGISTER Antiques Season Is On of the Courtesy photo Community Pride TANK BRIMFIELD — Caleb Rubio and his mom Billie Jean Rubio participated in last week’s Brimfield Com- “Hello my name is Tank and my parents are munity Clean-up event with Troop 7- Scouts BSA. Ac- the Krolls in Palmer. My favorite thing to do is play cording to the troop’s Facebook page, approximately outside and go on car rides. I also love spending time Turley Publications photos by Michael Harrison 200 volunteers picked up trash throughout the town, with my mom and dad and I’m excited for a visit from along roads and other areas, including Congregational the Easter bunny!” Church and the Town Common. They filled a 15 cu- Which animals make your life special? We fea- bic-yard dumpster with bagged trash, removed over ture your pets every week here and on Facebook. All 30 tires appliances, furniture and more. First Congre- animals welcome! Is there a pet you’re fostering and gational Church of Brimfield and Hitchcock Academy trying to re-home? Email a high-resolution jpg of your were among the sponsors. If you or a family member pet with a little information to [email protected]. would like to get involved with Scouting, go to troop- 7brimfield.org, e-mail [email protected] or call 860-595-4084. SENTENCED ❙ from page 1 Support the District Attorney’s Office’s Special Victims Unit, the Springfield Police Department’s Special Victims local businesses Unit, and the Chicopee Police Department. “I hope this verdict brings justice to all of the vic- that support your tims and families involved in this case,” Hampden Dis- PALMER — The unofficial show drew visitors from across and Rusty Corriveau and an- trict Attorney Anthony D. Gulluni said. local newspaper. start to antiquing season kicked the country. chored at Brimfield Winery and “The bravery of the victims should be commend- off last week with several days It ended Monday – just in Cidery, 35 Main Street in Brim- ed in coming forward, as the fear and angst created by Let them know you saw of shopping and food at Marier’s time to the the appetite for this field, has more than 300 dealers someone who abused his position of power, is not eas- Antique Flea Market. From clas- week’s and runs through May 16. For ily overcome. My office will continue to fight for vic- their ad in the sic lapel buttons to vintage mu- opening of Brimfield An- more, visit them on Facebook or timized children and all victims of abuse. I also thank sical instruments, albums, furni- tique Flea Markets. Brimfield go to brimfieldantiquefleamarket. Assistant District Attorney Liz Vasiliades for her great ture, and cabinet-sized radios, the Auction Acres, owned by Kate com. work.” Journal Register Cintron is also ac- cused of charges stem- ming from an altercation • 118 Works of Art at the Eastfield Mall in • 67 Area Artists August 2017, which awaits trial. He faces , Judith Podell • NINE Galleries • Sales Shop seven criminal counts: unarmed robbery, assault and battery (two counts), ** House of Art and Intimidation of a wit- Playing My Song 200 Main Street ness (four counts). A Heartfelt Monson Assistant District **Covid 19 Guidelines in Place Attorney Liz Vasiliades represented the Common- wealth in this case. Acrylic on Canvas, Plus Online Gallery Thank You www.MonsonArtsCouncil.org 27th Annual Spring Art Exhibition & Sale Corrections The Colors of Change The Journal Register will gladly correct factual errors that In recognition of NATIONAL HOSPITAL May 15 - 16 • 22 - 23 • 29 - 30 • 2021 appear in this paper. Corrections or clarifications will always ap- WEEK, we give our heartfelt thanks to our Noon - 5pm • Sales Shop pear on Page 2 or 3. To request MEDIA Sponsor a correction, send information to Editor at [email protected], frontline and all who support them. Together, or call 283-8393, extension 236. Corrections may also be request- their courage, dedication, compassion and Linda Lastoff ed in writing at: Journal Register, Attn: Editor 24 Water St., Palmer, teamwork continues to make a difference in MA, 01069. the lives of our patients and community. Because of them, there are brighter days ahead. From the bottom of our PHONE 413.283.8393 hearts – THANK YOU.