Northampton has agreed to declare “null and void” a decision to purchase four new police cruisers which was made at a meeting that violated the state’s Open Meeting Law, Hampshire-Franklin Dist. Atty. John M. Callahan said today. Callahan said “no comment” when asked if the threat of a lawsuit by his office had forced the city to make the agreement.
Sponsored
Alabama Gov. George C. Wallace is scheduled to be sworn in as a deputy sheriff of Hampshire County tonight. In Northampton for a political rally, the Democratic presidential contender will receive his badge and commission from Hampshire County Sheriff John F. Boyle and Superior Court Clerk Salvatore A. Polito, according to the Wallace campaign staff.
25 Years Ago
Heroin, as cheap as beer and easy to get, has created a leap in drug use in the Pioneer Valley, including Northampton. With it comes a jump in HIV/AIDS infections from dirty needles. People like Timothy Purrington, director of Northampton’s needle exchange program, call it an epidemic.
The Mead Art Museum at Amherst College closed its doors 18 months ago for a major renovation. Next weekend, the Mead will reopen to the public. The words from those who have had a preview: “Astonished and thrilled and amazed.”
10 Years Ago
Hundreds turned out Tuesday to hear the snake island plan directly from the mouth of its architect, Tom French, assistant director of the Division of Fisheries and Wildlife’s Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program. The plan calls for the breeding of timber rattlesnakes from Massachusetts populations and their introduction to Mount Zion, a large island in the Quabbin Reservoir.
Former longtime city councilor William C. Ames died Monday at age 84 after a brief illness. Ames, a lifelong Northampton resident, was first elected as Ward 2 councilor in 1964. He served in that seat or in an at-large position for three decades, except in 1978-79 and 1986-87.