What's up Athol! Let's start this morning right by getting caught up on what's going on around town. Keep reading to stay in the loop. ☕️️
In today's newsletter:
Also on today's calendar: Open House - Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine and 11 more events.
Today's riddle: What do you call a belt that is made of watches? 🤔 (Answer below!)
1. City of Fall River, Springfield, Boston area communities recognized by Mass Save for leadership in energy initiatives, helping lower costs (fallriverreporter.com) — Athol has been named a 2026 Mass Save Impact Award winner, recognizing the town's leadership in energy efficiency and cost-saving building upgrades. Alongside cities like Springfield and Fall River, Athol's projects are highlighted for cutting emissions, modernizing facilities, and helping residents and taxpayers benefit from lower long-term energy use across Massachusetts communities.
2. Residents speak against skate park in Athol (atholdailynews.com) — Athol neighbors on Lincoln Avenue urged the Select Board not to place a proposed skate park, playground, and splash pad on town land overlooking Silver Lake Park, citing noise, litter, and loss of green space. Town leaders say they still support a skate park somewhere in Athol and may fold the decision into a broader open space plan for the next decade.
3. Athol Fire receives grant for training, equipment purchases (atholdailynews.com) — Athol residents will see their Fire Department upgraded thanks to a $197,400 federal grant that will fund new cardiac monitors, defibrillators, and officer training held right in town. Over the next two years, firefighters will receive leadership and instructor classes aimed at improving emergency response, internal communication, and long-term planning for community safety.
4. WMass Girls Soccer Roundup: Olivia Gagne leads Southwick to win (masslive.com) — Athol readers can see how Athol High School's girls soccer team fared in a recent regional slate, with Springfield International Charter topping Athol 6–0. The roundup highlights standout performances, key scorers, and upcoming match times for several Western Massachusetts programs, giving local fans a quick snapshot of where neighboring teams stand this week.
5. Massachusetts lawmakers call MWRA's Quabbin bid a 'blank check' for 20M more gallons a day (thecooldown.com) — Athol's state representative, Susannah Whipps, is joining other Western Massachusetts lawmakers in urging state officials to reject a proposal letting the MWRA draw 20 million more gallons a day from the Quabbin Reservoir without naming users. Their letter warns this "blank check" approach could sidestep safeguards meant to protect local water supplies, ahead of a key public hearing in Belchertown.
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Ok Athol! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!
-- The Patch AM Team
P.S. The answer to today's riddle: A waist of time. (Thank you Martin L. for sending it in!)
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