North Quabbin Notes: Oct. 29, 2026

Sportsman's Corner: Best week of the year

The Silverado headed down Route 89 after crossing Lake Champlain on the ferry from Ellenburg, New York, late Sunday afternoon. Tessie was sound asleep in the passenger’s seat after three days of hunting. Last Friday was day 14 after her surgery for Pyometra. We may have jumped the gun on Wednesday and Thursday with a […]

Western Mass. towns push back on state solar siting rules at Shutesbury forum

SHUTESBURY — When five solar projects were proposed that could have cleared some 29,000 trees from 190 acres in Shutesbury, town officials were left on their own to cover the costs of the Land Court litigation that followed. Planning Board member Jeff Weston said the town got “no help from anyone” at the state level […]

Pioneer Valley land trusts back state ballot measure to fund conservation

On Nov. 3, voters will decide on Question 6, a ballot initiative designed to create a Nature for All Fund by allocating sales tax revenue from sporting goods, recreational vehicles and golf courses toward Massachusetts' goal of conserving 40% of its natural lands and waters by 2050.

Question 5 explained: What Massachusetts’ tax revenue cap change would mean for refunds and the budget

Voters will decide on Nov. 3 whether to change the formula Massachusetts uses to cap state tax revenue. Supporters of Question 5 say it would return money to taxpayers through refunds, while opponents contend it would lead to cuts in vital state programs. A “yes” vote would change how the state calculates its tax-revenue limit […]

Athol committee votes to suspend holiday free parking tradition

ATHOL – The Parking Benefits District Oversight Committee has voted to suspend what has been a tradition of free street-side parking in downtown Athol between Thanksgiving and the New Year. The vote at the committee’s meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 27, was unanimous. The move was recommended by committee member Mary Holtorf, who said some residents […]