Chesterfield's safety efforts, prevention work pay off

CHESTERFIELD - Following efforts by its employees to manage insurance risks, the town has received a 2009 Loss Control Award from its insurance provider.

Around Chesterfield: Police department fills two vacancies

Two new part-time officers have joined the ranks of the Chesterfield Police Department. Selectmen voted unanimously to appoint Stacey Gamache of Williamsburg and Steven Girard of Plainfield to the department on Feb. 1, at the request of Police Chief Gary Wickland.

Hilltown medical corps gets boost from grant

CHESTERFIELD - The Hilltown Medical Reserve Corps was awarded $10,000 in grant money from the federal Department of Health and Human Services to increase the size and capabilities of the volunteer organization. The town of Chesterfield accepted the funds on behalf of the Medical Reserve Corps unit.

Increasing number of veterans lead to regional approach for help

NORTHAMPTON - When cancer struck his bladder and prostate some 15 months ago, Steve Conners faced several grave realities. The Vietnam-era veteran had no insurance. He'd have to quit his job to fight the life-threatening disease and in the process lose his small Northampton rooming house. Then the U.S. Navy veteran remembered meeting Steven J. Connor, a man with a near identical name who directs Northampton's Veterans Services Department. So he reached out for help.

Hampshire COG seeks renaissance

The Franklin and Hampshire councils of governments - COGs, as they're known - are different animals, like the different county governments from which they grew.

Now Hampshire COG, representing only a dozen of the smaller 20 Hampshire County towns, has launched a strategic planning process to figure out whether it should try to be more like its larger counterpart to the north.

Chesterfield caucus to elect delegates

CHESTERFIELD - A caucus for all registered Democrat residents will be held Wednesday at 10 a.m. at the Town Offices to elect one delegate and an alternate to attend the 2010 Massachusetts Democratic Convention.

Chesterfield adds 32 acres to conservation holdings

CHESTERFIELD - With help from an international conservation organization, 32 acres of land off Bisbee Road will be permanently preserved as open space. The Nature Conservancy, a conservation organization based in Arlington, Va., purchased the land from William Bisbee of Chesterfield in January for $118,000.